Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1905-09-21

and asked him II he had anything to
say in relation to the statement made
by Vice President George w Per-
kins. of the New York Life Insur-
ance Company, before the Legisla-
tive committee investigating the in
surance business, to the effect that
President John A. Mccall, OF that
company, had caused q contribution
Of about $50, 900 to be made last year
to the Republican national campaign
fund, Judge Parker said
Yes, believe l ought to state,
now that there is no political excite
ment to distract the public attention,
that the presidents Of the New York
Life was not the only such contribu-
tor. The officers OF other great life
insurance companies. such as the
Equitable and the Mutual, also con
tributed from the policy holders
funds for campaign purposes last
year.
What has been proved In the case
Of the New York Life will undoubt-
eddy be proved in the other cases
The facts exist. and honest and able
counsel backed by az. honest com
mittee will undoubtedly bring them
out for the public good.
Were there an investigation Of
railroad. manufacturing and other
corporations, IL would be found that
these life insurance officers were not
the only corporation officers whop put
their hands into the treasury and
took out moneys belonging TO Wild
ows and orphans TO help secure a
partisan triumph.
"AcTs UNLAWFUL, PURPosEs Goa
RuPT
THAT their acts were unlawful
and their purposes corrupt goes
without saying. They intended 70
have the money used, as Il was. IN
corrupting the electorate. Mr. Per-
klns makes the point that Mr. John
A. Mccall. the president Of the New
York Life, is a Democrat. Appar.
emily be would have the public as
sumo that whom Mr.. Mccall unlaw.
fully and wrongfully contributed
these funds--the company's share
probably as member OF the under.
writing syndicate Iii was evidence
OF political virtue, rather than mis-
conduct.
THE truth about II is. and | say
il without feeling, but emphaticaliy,
that men like Mccall have no politi.
cal convictions that stand ID the way
Of their personal advantage. Such
men desire the triumph ofthai party
which viii better serve their per.
sonal financial interests and will
for contributions, past, preseHt and
future continue 70 protect these In
terests by lenient Legislation aud by
pretense at execution Of law which
shall DO tenderly blind 70 al their
otfenses. That party they espouso
In the boardroom, aud contribute TO
II OF the moneys they hold 10 trust,
and occasionally, little Of their
own. The underlying principles
which divide the great mass OF the
people into parties have noeifeet up.
on such men. Their one inquiry is,
viii the party organization 10 rs
hour Of triumph remember our gen
erosity, and respond 70 our de-
mands Y OF course the organiza.
ton does remember, for IL expects q
similar contribution next time. And
the expectation is not In vain. Last
year was not the FIRST time. Such
contributions had been made before
10 national, State and municipal cleo
tions.
THE REWARDS or SUcn Virtue.
THE officers responsible for these
raids upon the treasures Of corpora
tions have received their reward In
unfettered management OF life in
surance corporations. 10 unenbar-
rassed raids upon the public through
trusts condemned by both common
and statute laws 10 refusal to punish
criminally the officers Of railroad
and other corporations violating tho
laws, and In statutory permission to
manufacturing corporations to levy
tribute on the people.
There can be no hope OF check.
ing the unlawful aggressions OF Of
ticers of great corporations so long
as they may thus form quasi-part-
nership with the organization Of the
dominant political party. For in
the hour when the administrative
official seeks To nuniRh the offandar