Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-09-18
Alton B. Parker Says That
The Contributors
Of the Insurance Cos. Are
Made for Personal Gain Only |
And Ale Not Results Of Party Sentiments
Or Political Convictions.

Esopus, ". ", Sept. 17.-FOrmer
Chief Judge Alton p. Parker, last year,
the Democratic candidate for President
Of the United States, today, referred
to the charges made by him in the
Presidential campaign last fall. that
corporation funds were being used in
aid of the Republican campaign. TO
q correspondent of The Associated
Press who called ut Rosemount. Judge
Parkcrs home. and asked him if h"
had anything to say in relation to the
statement of Vice PRESIDENT George w.
Perkins. OF the New York Life Insur-
ance Co, made before the Legislative
committee investigating the insurance
business that President John A. Nc
Call of that company had caused n
contribution of about $4,000 to be
made last year to the Republican M =
tiOnal campaign fund, Judge Parker
said:
Yes, I believe ! ought to say, now
that there is no political excitement
to distract the public attention that
the president of the New York Lii,
was not the only such contributor. che
officers Of other great life insurance
companies, such rs the Equitable and
the Mutual. also contributed Of the
pOlicyloldais funds for campaign pur-
IoSeS last year. What has been proved
in the case of the New York Life viii
undoubtedly be proved in the other
cases. The facts exist. and honest and
able counsel backed by an honest COM
mittee will undoubtedly bring them
out for the public good
.Mr Dart<inc mako. tho rnniy1f
Mr.. John A. Mccall. The president &c
parently he would have the public as
sumo that when IHr Mccall unlawfulIy
and WrOnSfully contributed these funds
the Comrany's share probably as Il
member of the underwriting syndicate
it was evidence of political virtue.
rather than misconduct.
Tho truth about it is. and | say il
without feeling, but emphatically. that
men like Mccall nave no political con-
victiCns that stand in the way of theil.
personal advantage. Such men desire
the triumph of that party which will
better serve their personal financial in
tercsts and wiil-for contributions,
past. present and future-continuc to
protect those interests by lenient leg
islation and by preteuse ut execution
of law which shall be tenderly blind
to all their oifenSes.
1t is not my purpose to claim that
the Democratic party subjected to the
temptation which has overcome the
other rarity during the last few years,
would have acted differently. Mere
party advantage should not be sought
from the disclosures made in this "a
vestisatiOn. But the facts should be
diligently sought that the people may
become so aroused that they will i'll
siSt upon legislation making it a
criminal offcnse for officers to con-
tribute corporate FUNDS for political |
purposes and depriving the apparently |
candidates of their offices
Efforts in that direction have been |
making in different states since No |
vember last ana particularly in this |
state. But the Republican organize |
ton would not consent to it so the |
Legislature defeated the bills. And TIE |
organization never will consent until |
an aroused pubic sentiment shall |
threaten Legislators with political obli- |
won who fail to enact effective laws |
upon the subject"