New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-03-19
HIGGINS ON INSURANCE.
LAWS AIMED At EVILS"
Fsberg attacks Misuse of Poscers
Of Great Wealth.

governor Higgins. in a letter to a meeting in
,,,ner Union IN honor OF the eighth anniversary
: the founding Of the Peoples Institute. last
.,,bt said the recent insurance investigation
.ss "conducted TO conclusion without fear or
,,vor" lie said that ii was hopeful sign when
s,rst wealth and vested interests are arraigned
e, he bar OF public opinion and made to answer
,ssrres Of selhshness and IawIess greed"
senator Nathaniel A. Elsberg. one Of the
,,sskers, denounced dishonesty in high business
.,s political circles. Governor Higgins's letter
sas:
regret that 1 unable TO accept your in
CITATION 20 be present at the celebration of your
srhth snniv -rsaTy, but prior engagements make
n irTpOssible for me 10 do so.
The Insurance investigation was set in motion
Nv ne when II appeared that something was
rssicaIly wrong in the manaRement Of the great
so0psnieS. II was conducted TO a conclusion
1Sfhout fear or favor by an impartial COM
r-fttee aided by counsel Of the highest rank
TTpan the report Of such committee legislation is
oer5ing 10 correct the evils heretofore existing
n IS hopeful sign when vast wealth and
vested interests are aTraigned AT the bar OF
nublc opinion and made TO answer to charges
fss1fshness and lawless greed. The constituted
agencies Of government, not yielding to popular
cisnor nor seeking TO discredit all because a
few have proved reCreant 10 their trust desire
70 serve the people rather than the plutocrats
ard 10 promote the common good rather than
ios.er The vanities Of the few
n order -1aI they NAV do the best service
The people should hold them to a due sense of
Fssponshi.ity- whereby inertia and excess are
eondemned and whereby il is as reprehensibIe
70 60 too Far as II is not 10 go far enough.
he topic of the evening was Civic Righteous
ness" The Rev. Thomas R. SIicer presided.
senator Eisberg was prevented speaking for
Eve minutes after he had faced his audience be-
osnss Of the applause of the three thousand per
s5ns present. When the enthusiasm quieted he
sid:
i was Charles T.. Hughes who said the nation
undergoing rebaptism of self-respeCt
But new laws won't be enough without respect
f5- the laws we already have Unless men live
u 10 the high ideal on clear, sound honesty in
private and public life, nothing will avail. They
must live up 10 a law Of honor. honesty and
righteousness.
Speaking Of the white slave" problem. Sena-
tr Esberg raped the landlords who let. for
e1orbitant rents places TO be used as dens of
VICE and crime.
George L Record, Corporation Counsel Of Jer-
ssy City, said he approved a direct primary law
wish To he placed on a ticket He also favored
legislation 10 permit any man who wishes TO be
candidate for the Senate Of the United States
70 embody his wish in a petition 10 the Secre-
hT Of State who shall put that mans name on
ballot for the people to vote.
he Rev. DR.. Joseph Silverman said, in part:
While a republican form Of government means
ne operation Of a policy IN which the Church is
sspsTated from the state, IL was never intended
hst we should sever morality from government
Charles Sprague Smith read letters from
Richard Watson Glider and Lyman Abbott.