Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-03-06
THE INSURANCE BILL.
IT'S EFFECT DISCUSSED ny ITS SEN
ATE PATRON.
IT WILL BENEFIT The INSURER.
Mr.. EggIeston Says II Gould Not
Have the Eject of Increasing
Rates, Else Companies Would Not
Have Opposed 1t.

Senator Eggleston, Of Charlotte, who
fought the Wharton Insurance bill
through the Senate with remarkable
skill. and an aRgressiveness unsurpassed
In the recent session Of the General As
sembly, before going home discussed at
some length the provisions Of the bill
and its probable effect upon insurance
companies and persons insured.
Senator Eggleston usually maintained
silence in the Senate, but upon several
occasions he took an active part in de-
bate, and every time made deep, broad
mark. In the debate on the bill appro-
priating 10000 from the penitentiary re-
ceipts for the enlargement Of the institu-
ton, Mr.. Eggleston took prominent
part. But It was for the insurance bill
that he made his strongest fight, and the
one in which he took the deepest interest.
IF the officers Of the Commonwealth
see that this law is enforced he said,
"the property-owners of the State can
now buy their insurance, which is ne
cessity, in open market, just as they sell
their wares on an open market.
WILL NOT INCREASE RATES.
"There is one thing you may set down
for an absolute certainty. The law VIII
not increase rates Of insurance. l say
that were the effect otherwise the COM
panies would have advocated 1t instead
of having opposed IL. Why did they hght
IL? Because they would have to insure
property for a less sum than they now
receive. You cannot conclude otherwise
than that the insurer will be benented'
l do not believe the act Will cause SIN
gle company now doing business In Vlr-
ginia to withdraw. The States OF Geor-
gia, Texas, Alabama, Michigan, una
others have similar laws against COM
binations. and no companies have with
drawn from these States Then, why
should they withdraw from Virginia?
When large, Independent companies hnd
they can come into the State TO do Dusl-
ness free from the control OF comDlna-
ton which dictates to them the rate 10
be charged and the manner in which
they shall conduct their business, they
will do so. and no desirable company Will
leave the State unless it be done for the
purpose of compelling the people to sub
NIT to their power.
THE CONSTITUTIONALITY.
1.-THE constitutionality Of the act is
question 10 be determined by the courts
II there is any serious question about the
constitutionality Of this law, it seems
very strange that ii was not alluded 10
by the able and erudite lawyers VINO
fought the bill before the House Commit
tee on Propositions and Grievances ma
the Senate Committee on General Laws
or by the opponents of the Dill IN tle
elaborate and extended debates on Inc
floor of the House and Senate. In the
Senate the bill was opposed by some OIL
the ablest lawyers in the state VINO
would have detected any constitutional
objection 10 the bill. and would have been
prompt to urge such objection, as they
were bound to do under their oaths or
office.
THE FIGHT IN THE SENATE.
"yyben this bill was placed on the
calendar of the Senate ! took charge Of
n at the request Of the patron and other
friends of the measure, and had it made
a speciaI order. which was postponed
from time to time on the motion OF OPP
moments of the bill until Saturday, FEB
ruary 18th. which was next to the last
day of the session of the General Assem-
hIv. I was given to understand that no
debate was desired by opponents OF the
bill. unless ! wanted 1t. AT the same
time, / apprehended that an eiLoIt WIN
be made TO prevent a vote by parma
mentary tactics.
Il therefore, moved the previous ques-
ton. which motion was sustained, ana
the bill was passed. On motion TO re-
consider the vote by which the Dill was
PASSED. no effort was made to prevent
debate. and the time of the Senate from
o'clock p. NJ. until o'clock that night
vvos absolutely at the disposal OF the OPP
nonents of the bill. and then a final vote
on the motion TO reconsider was taken
ON their motion-not on mine-and lost.