The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1905-11-30
WRITES AN Open LETTER

ter to the People Of North Caro-
lima in Which He Urges Necessity
Of Legislative Action to Curb Big
Insurance Companies in Their Reck-
less Use Of Money for Political
Purposes.
Raleigh, Special.-Governor Glenn
writes the following letter to the peo-
pie of North Carolina: "When, upon
investigation, officers of some of the
largest foreign insurance companies
admitted that large SUMS Of money be-
longing to their companies had been
used for influencing elections, lobby
ing legislatures and other improper
purposes, felt that our people should
be protected against such practices,
and therefore carefully studied our
insurance laws, hoping / could find
some provision, by which such COM
ranies could be debarred from doing
business in our State, until wrongs
thus done their policy holders were
corrected.
WILL ASK FOR NEW LAWS.
E'We have no such law, however,
though there should be, and, in no I'M
certain words, / will ask the next
General Assembly to amend our exist
ing laws, so the insurance commission
er, by and with the consent of the
Governor and council of State, can
stop any company illegally appropri-
ating funds Of their policy holder:
from transact:ng any business in the
State, until their officers make good
amounts improperly paid out. All
corporations and insurance companies
have q perfect right to employ coun-
sci to attend to any legitimate mat.
tiers, or properly represent them be-
fore legislative committees, in order
to express their views on pending
measures, but they have nc right to
use funds that would otherwise in
crease the dividends of their share
holders ,or policy holders, by corrupt
ly paying them out to influence Con-
gress Or Legislatures OF in controlling
results Of elections.
THEIR ILLEGAL ACTS.
"1he argument they a.ake that GER
tain laws ! as:c6. or party placed in
power. would imps:r them business,
and thereby lessen their earning Ca
pacity, even if true, and it is not, can
not justify or excuse their doing acts
recognized by all as illegal. Formerly
our people were too poor to establish
insurance companies in North aero
lima, but now we have honest, reliable
COMPANIES, are amply able and will
ing tc handle all our insurance.
"Tk., companies now under investi-
cation are all solvent and the policies
held by our people are perfectly good
Il hold one myself, and therefore
should not be surrendered. Neither do
I desire to do these companies any
wrong, if they will themselves do right
but before doing any new business, or
expecting our people to patronize
them, they must practice equity and
compel their officers to correct mis-
appropriations already made, or steps
will be taken to control them.
''This statement is written in ans
wer to many queries and letters, ask
ing me why some action has not been
taken. No action can be taken with.
out some law to authorize it, but every
effort will be made to correct this
and thus in the future pro-
tect our people. Feeling deeply the
trust reposed in me by the people
in electing me Governor, assure them
that i'll this matter, as well as in all
others appertaining to their welfare,
will try to bring before the Legis-
[ature all such measures as will best
promote their interests and protect
them from wrong. I am glad to state
that both the insurance commissioner
and the council of State are with me
in my effort to thus secure better pro-
lection for our policy holders"