The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1898-02-16
CARD TO THE PUBLIC
From Commissioner Kipp Concerning the
Affairs Of the Insurance Depart
ment of the State.


the following statement from Insurance
Commissioner Kipp concerning the Lee
k,pp controversy:
10 the public: Since SO much critl-
cism has been mdulged in regarding the
affairs of this department under my
management, and since SO many false
statements have been sent out from
Pierre, I deem it proper at this time to
make the following statement:
First Of all l wish 10 state most en-
phatically shat the telegraphic report
sent from here by Thos. H. Ayers, who
assumes to be commissioner OF insur-
arce, and published in the Sioux Falls
Press of February II, to the effect that
| was in Chicago on September l6 and
took part in the examination OF the
Traders insurance company under the
name of 'Smith", and drew S1o per day
as expert help, and that l was seen in
Chicago by a prominent citizen of South
Dakota on that date, is absolutely false
in every respect. l was at the state
capital every day during the month of
September attending to the duties OF
my office as can be shown by the records
Of this department, except the 10th,
10th, 18th and 18th, at which time l
was attending the Peoples party judi
cial convention at Faulkton which was
held on September 16. From Faulkton
l vent to Gettysburg, remaining one
day with Judge Fisk after which 1
drove across the country to Blunt and
arrived in Pierre on the morning Of Sep
TENDER 10. This was known to Mr..
Ayers when he sent out the falshood
referred to above.
As to examinations made by this de.
partment, l will say: Mr.. McClaren
has, during the past seven months,
made thorough and complete examina-
tons Of twelve companies doing business
in this state. He has received AS en-
penses and per diem in conducting
these examinations, S1,i2o. OF this
amount at least 30 per cent. was neces-
sary and legitimate expenses. leaving
him IA salary Of about 800 per month,
In Two examinations | furnished Mr.
Mcl1laren an assistant, who was with
him about three weeks and received AS
expenses aud per diem, 1888. IL one
case. that of the Traders of Chicago. and
which has been the basis Of SO much
criticism. Mr.. McCiaren employed ex
pert help at an expense OF Sill. | have
myself gone ont on several occasions
in some cases being invited by the com
panies aud IN two cases deeming i
necessary to 90 myself. ln such cases
, am allowed my expenses from the com
] panies, add have received for actual eX
penses incurred, a total of SOL. Ihi
J covers all examinations made by Thu
department since July l, 1897, at which
time | assumed the duties of the office
During this time three of the compaue
examined have been prohibited from
doing business in this state. The say
ing to the people Of the state by tn,
shutting out of any one Of these ire
sponsible companies is greater than th'
total expense Of all the examination,
made.
That the people may know the Law
under which | have operated ia makin,
these examinations, | will call their at
: @teutlon to section % Of chapter 60 0
< the session laws Of 1885. also section L
: of chapter ii. session laws Of 1890. an,
also section ii Of chapter Il Of session
Laws OF 1890.
will state fer the benefit OF Gov
Lee and others who have seen tit +
critIcise my actions II this respect, tina
whenever it can be shown that | hav
] violated the Jaw 10 any particular III m,
ofIic.al conduct that | viii save the GOV
ernor further trouble III his attempt /.
! remove me from office By l~mmediatel
rendering my resignation. | have en-
T deayoTed to conduct the affairs OF til!
department; to the best of my ahi!it
and in accordance with the laws govern
ing my acts, and until it can be show.
that | have done otherwise. | sha
maintain my position and contend tina
the governor has overstepped his au
thority in his attempts to dictate tn
course ! should pursue. Respectful,
! j. II. KIP,
S Commissioner of Insurance.
TIN Ir.atnSt UAiscnvnry Var