Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1905-09-29
THE BEAUTIES OF LIFE INSURANCE.

THE BEAUTIES OF LIFE INSURANCE.
There has been some evidence devel- |
oped in gthe Insurance investigation
now going on in New York, which |
shows business methods which if not
criminal amount very near to the
same. 1t is known that large corpora
tiOns handle the money of those who
entrust it to them in the loOsest fash
ion when they choose, and the helpless
investor is pOwerless because there is
but one of him frequently to complain,
the others submitting TO the steal
rather than have row. In recent
campaigns it has been the custom for
these corporations to take stockhold-
ers' money and give it to Mr.. Mark
Hanna, or Mr.. Cortelyou, or any other
Republican chairman to elp elect the
Republican candidate. This money
was taken sometimes without asking
anybody. MIR. John A. Mccall, presi
dent of the New York Life Insurance
Company, seems to have handed MIR
Cortelyou or Mr.. Perkins of the
Standard Oil, $50. 900 out of the CON-
pany' s treasury without permit from
any source in 1904. The account
of this money was jnggled so as 10 hide
its real significance, and its history
would have been unknown but for
the present investigation. Mr.. Mccall
was asked
did you really think that in 1904
the interests OF the policy holders were
so seriously endangered that the com
pany ought to contribute p
II did think SO when the man who
had twice voted for Bryan was a can
didate on q platform framed by com
mlttee that mad by a majority of two
to one rejected The gold standard. My
life was made weary by Democrats
that year chasing me for money"
Il thank God That Bryan and free
silver were beaten and That | had d
share i'll their defeat"
Applause followed this statement,
but The demonstration was checked by
the chairman, who said lie would have
the room cleared of spectators if order
was not kept.
OF the campaign contribution made
by Mr.. Mccall and Geo. W. Perkins
tor the New York Life Insurance Com
pany in 1904, Mr.. Mccall said he did
not care how maEy of his policy hold
ers agreed with his action. He said
he consulted no one but Mr.. Perkins.
81 did il on NV 4
justify the use OF campaign funds. l
Justify the use of this moneX for the
benefit of the policy holders.
Replying to Mr.. Hughe., he said:
Il honestly believe III Ibis lBstan &c
it was justified. Ii you ask me II
approve of campaign contributions, /
say no, thousand times, no. "
Oh, no, Mr.. Mccall did not approve
of campaign contributions, "A thousand
times no.
Mr.. Mccall said that in 1896 he COZ
tributed to the defeat of the silver
platform, not to the defeat of the
Democratic party.
| A man who has no more sense OF de
cency than this could easily run hi
hand into a treasury, pull out the mon
ey before your eyes, and at the same
time swear be was not taking it. Jus
analyze what he says:
Il gave In three campaigns abou
$500 on my own hook. | consulted
nobody but Mr.. Perkins, and YET L d.
not approve of campaign contribu
, lions. In 1896 l contributed to tn,
defeat of the silver platform, not tn
; defeat of the Democratic party.
gave money not to elect a Republican
president. but to prevent a Democratic
, presidential candidate from beini
elected"
Did anybody ever hear such rot. l
cannot be called reasoning, it is be
meath such a name. 1t is kind O
! lying. Here then this man goes free
who, were he poor and had taken fit
, dollars which aid not belong TO him
just as this money did not belong t
. Mccall, would today be languishing i
penitentiary or Jail, no matter hoV
much be might have thought himsel
} justified as a nation saver. And it
a pity John A. Mccall cannot Ian
; there for this money which he pun
} Joined. If this money had been sut
: scr1bed to elect instead of defeat TIL
Demo cratic candidates, no create
crime in many eyes could have bee
f committed, and Mccall would surel
) be tried and convicted.