Worcester morning daily spy., 1898-01-07

| RSSU CQQdl pdIQOIhS uPNuA tlAls
INSURANCE.
1t has long been the policy Of the COM
! monwealth to provide for the protecn0n
! and security OF those holding contracts
! of insurance by statutory regulation ard
official supervision, not only of comP&-
MES chartered under its laws but also
of foreign companies authorized to car
ry on their business within our borders.
A large portion Of the holders Of Insult
ance policies, especially those providing
for the payment OF a benefit to the fam
lily of the Insured after his death, are per-
sons of moderate fortune and without
the means OF knowing the condition Of
the companies in which they insure. To
such and to all other policy holders as
WELL the commonwealth has held out the
assurance that the companies under ita
supervision and control should be hon
estly and prudently aged. This as
surance has been of great berefit to our
citizens in a matter of grave concern to
them, has given our companies a high
standing in other states, and added TO
the reputation of Massachusetts as a
conservative and well governed com
monwealth.
The collapse, however, within the past
year, of two of the largest assessment
insurance companies has been a severe
blow to the feeling of security ON the
part of holders Of life insurance policies
and to the good name of the common
wealth as well. Whether the cause of
these failures has been due to misman-
agement by those in charge of the bust
ness of the companies, to the lack of ade-
quate supervision and failure to give due
warning of danger on the part of officers
of the commonwealth, or to the system
under which the business was permitted
to be carried on under our laws, it cam
not be denied that the reputation of the
commonwealth for wise and effective in
surance legislation has suffered.
Most of the mischief has probably been
done; but the lesson which these failures
teach should not be lost. If by more
stringent legislation, correcting what
ever is loose and ineffective in existing
statutes, a REPETITION OF the recent disas-
ters can be prevented. it is due to our
citizens and to the commonwealt that
such legislation be enacted. I invite
your careful attention to this important
subject.
In this connection 1 ask you also to
consider whether further legislation is
needed looking to the security Of the
business of fidelity insurance. This
form of insurance has greatly increased
within the past few years. A consider
able proportion Of the bonds given to
probate courts, and by public officers as
well as by officers of private corpora
tions, is secured by fidelity insurance
companies. If these companies are
sound and are conducted on safe princi-
pies, bonds SO secured may afford a
stronger protection than is given by the
ordinary method of personal sureties.
But liability under these contracts has
for the most part not yet accrued, and
when it does accrue protective legisla-
ton may be too late. In view of the
growth and increasing Importance of
this class Of insurance, recommend a
careful examination of the laws purport-
ing to secure those who may have rights
under such contracts.
EDUCATION.
OF the total number of children who
1NtNAAA ONlASOA Ia ILLS II,
more than IS per cent attend the public
schools, the remaining IA per cent being
taught in private schools. The proper
ton Of pupils who pass on to the high
schools is increasing, and the pay of
j teachers, as we'll as the total amount ex-
| pended for the support Of the school sys-
tenn, is greater than in previous years.
The state wisely lends It's assistance
where help is needed in meeting the adj
| vanceG requirements imposed by legisla-
ton, and this assistance is so given as
to stimulate rather than to supersede To-
cal effort. During the past year three
new normal schools have been opened.
and the number in attendance has great
ly increased, in spite of more rigid re-
| quirements for admission.
The nautical training school has had a
successful year, and the public appre
citation of the value of the training it
furnishes is shown not only by the sue
cess of its graduates in obtaining en-
ployment, but also by an increase in the
number of applications for admission
permitting a greater care In the selec-
ton Of it's cadets than has been possible
heretofore.
In the textile school at Lowell the com
monwealth has inaugurated with
marked promise of success an exneri-
nent which is likely TO prove of much
Importance to the future maintenance
OF the manufacturing supremacy of Mas
sachusetts, which will be found to de-
pend more largely than heretofore upon
the ability of its people to produce the
finer qualities Of goods which in texture
and design require training and skin for
their manufacture.
THE MILITIA.
Certain changes in the law affectins
the militia Of the commonwealth. en-
acted at the last session of the lesisla :
lure, have gone into effect, and in com
pllance Herewith Brigadiers General
Peach and bridges, after many years of
faithful service, have been placed on the
retired list and their SUCCESSORS duly
elected. The First regiment Of infantry
has been changed into the First regiment
of heavy artillery, and will thus consti-
tute coast defense reserve force which
VIII add greatly to the security Of orr
coast line and to the defenses Of Boston
herbor. The reports upon the various
branches of the state militia, made by
the Inspector general Of this common
wealth, as well as by Colonel Kline, the
officer of the regular army detailed for
that purpose by the United States gov
eminent, while not free from the de-
gree of criticism which shows close OBJ
servation and honest expression, speak
In high terms Of commentator of the
personnel. discipline and general zeal
and efficiency which characterize the
service 1 believe that this comnenda-
ton is deserved but no effort should lie
relaxed either in the quarters of the
officers or in the tents of the privates