The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-01-25
A GREAT BUSINESS.

We recur 10 the subject OF life insur-
ancc. The life insurance business In this
country has grown into enormous pro-
portions and it is profitable business
because risks have been reduced TO an
exact calculation. The brightest minds
In this country have beer. at work to as
certain the average measure OF human
life. and they have arrived at conclu-
sions that are as near accurate as any
thing within the limitation OF mans ca
pacity can be. Given number of men
OF a certain age, the general condition OF
their health. their occupations, their
family history and so on and the expert
can tell almost to a year what is the
surance men put it, what is the average
expectation" Therefore, there is really
no risk IN insurance. Tho standard COM
panies which conhne their operations
TO good subjects. can calculate TO a nicely
the sum OF money that must be col
lected in premiums to pay mstured poll
cies. to pay the expenses of organiza-
ton and TO leave a margin Of profit to
the stockholders.
On the other hand, mon have learned
that there is no better investment than
Arst-class life insurance. IT affords the
means of laying up something every
month out of ones earnings so that in
the course OF time when he goes down TO
the grave he may have "A sum of money
paid over TO those who were dependent
upon him and who have been left behind.
Apart from every other consideration. it
is the greatest comfort to man TO know
that when he is agone these will be pro-
vlded for, and he pays the premiums on
his policy in a spirit 81 gratefulness to
the institution which insures him.
The American people lead the world in
the volume of life insurance carried, and
the American lie insurance companies
lead the world in the business transact
ed by them The total number of policies
issued IS over 100000 and the amount
OF insurance covered by the same ex-
ceeds Sle 600 The total premium re-
ceipts are S3.OO0.OOO. and the total pay
ments 10 policy holders exceeds 5000
OO0 The total present assets amount TO
81. 800 COCO. These figures are given out
in the last issue Of the New York Finan-
cier. and we take them to be accurate.
II is mentioned also that single COM
pany in the United States has insured
one million people. covering insurance
amounting To nearly 5000 OOO 600; has col
lected in premiums on the same nearly
s5oo.NOO 900 and has paid 10 policy holders
nearly SSOo,oOoOoo.
In the State Of Virginia the Insurance
business has grown at an enormous rate
and is growing all the time. There Is
more and more a disposition to insure
and every year the people OF this state
are sending 10 the North large sums or
! money in premiums. which, we believe.
could be kept at home If there were home
companies to get their business. We do
not suppose that all the people OF Vir-
ginia would give the home companies the
preference. for unfortunately, some OF
our people prefer to patronize institu-
lions at the North, but we believe that
many Vnginians would be induced 10
insure i'm part. at least in good home
companv. and we believe that fair pro-
norton OF the business in the Southern
states. II not in some Of the States OF
the North and West, could be brought
here
II is a live question. As we said the
ether dav astute men in this city are
giving it their attention, and the fact
that insurance companies already mere
ara doing well is a strong point IN favor
OF the enterprise.