The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-01-24

night and these embrace about thirty
five counties. The insurance in operation
in these counties at this time amount to
about eight millions of dollars.
Mr. N. B. Broughton, of Raleigh, was
reelected president; T. B. Parker, of Or
ange county, president, and Mr.. A.
E. S. Lindsay of Raleigh, secretary
treasurer of the State Association. The
executive committee is composed of
Messrs. C. E. Daniel, of SAMPSON S. T.
Wilfong, Catawba; Albert Vann, Hert-
ford, and j. E. Peterson. of Wayne.
Mr.. Broughton made his annual report
to the directors on Tuesday night, from
which we make the following extracts:
Some of the branches have materially
increased their business during the past
year, and in a few counties practically
all desirable risks are covered.
"Our receipts from all sources dur
ing the past year, as reported by our
secretary treasurer, has been $877.55
And but for the Indebtedness brought
over from 1901, We should be able to re-
port the State Association entirely out
of debt The receipts of 1902 were just
about enough to discharge the necessary
expenses of the year, and therefore left
US nothing for the indebtedness on us
at the beginning.
with this condition it is necessary
to ask that you make provision at this
meeting of the State Association for pay
ing off the old Indebtedness of about $3.50
so that we may begin 1903 without en-
barrassment.
ITO my mind the Farmers Mutual Fire
Insurance Association is one of the very
best things ever offered to the people
for whom it was organized. OF all men
our farmers need and must have pro-
lection against fire, wind and lightning
and yet they are not able to secure this
protection at the very high rates charged
by usual fire insurance companies. 1t is
necessity therefore that they cooper
ate with each other, and fulfilling the di-
vine law, bear one anothers burdens
I'VE need some few changes in our or
ganic law, the principal one being that
of allowing one or more counties, not
exceeding three, to organize as one
branch.
we need more protection from the
State, so that there shall be no operat-
ing under our privileges without our con-
sent and without complying with our
regulations. In this connection we would
not be understood as in the least re-
fecting upon our State Insurance Com
missioner, Col. Jas R. Young, for he
has always shown us the greatest kind
ness and consideration, and we are very
much indebted to him for his efforts to
unite all the county branches under the
State Association.
ut has been matter of regret to US
that three or four of the county branches
that were with us in the organization OF
the State Association have Withdrawn
from us and are operating Independently.
We sincerely hope that they are pros
pering. but we are perfectly sure that
they are doing so at much more eX-
pense and inconvenience than II they
had remained with us. In union there
is strength and it is just as true for
farmers as it is for manufacturers. Inc
past history of farmer organizations
shows that want of confidence in each
other has in many cases lost to them
splendid opportunities for mutual help
funess and protection
The president was directed to ask the
legislature for an amendment TO the
charter so as to admit as many as three
counties into one branch where same
should be desired.
After a general interchange of views
on how each branch conducted its bust
ness and on the bright prospect for the
future of the ASSOCIATION adjourned TO
meet on the second Tuesday in January
next at II o'clock a. m.