The sun., 1906-02-02
STAND ASIDE!
The People want to knOw-They Have
Right TO Know.
From The Flm,r1 Adrertistr.

From TIE Flm,r1 AdrcHistr
Senator John Raines of Canandaigua, Re-
publican leader in the Senate, while not de-
caring himself souarely in opposition to the
proposed investigation OF the Banking De-
partmcnt has been 80 quoted, and In COM
pany with Senator Malby waited upon tho
Governor to urge that the Assembly resolu-
ton ordering an investigation be held up.
Senator Raines has also given out an inter-
Wow in which he is made to say:
To my mind, the results of the Bank Department
inaulry would cause the insurance investigation to
sink into insgnlhcance
In other words, Senator Raines, who is
assumed to speak for Malby also. fears that
an investigation would shake the financial
world to it's fundaments." II this is so. then
the sooner the shaking begins the better for
the world Who were more deeply interested
in the insurance invest CATION than the peo-
ple--thc polcyholders, who were systcmati-
caly robbed of their dividends. and who
supported the officers Of the big companies
in wealth and luxury'
As a result Of that nyesti CATION the policy
holders are likely to come into their own.
What was II that drove out Mccall and Nc
turdv and HYDE and tho others? What was
il that brought about changes in the boards
of directors that cut Of retainers' fees and
nnnuities and that induced certain directors
to cut some big salaries in two? What was
IL that stripped on the masks OF hypocrisy
and wrongdoiuc and laid bare naked facts.
in the face of which AT least one company
took refuge in tho hands of n receiver? What
was il that made some men fugtives in for
eiyn lands and exposed the political corrup-
ton on the part of other men and corpora
tiops that startled the community? What
ia il that has driven some men. heretofore
trusted, who handled and manipulated the
money of their policyholders, to trrmble at
tho mention of tho words Grand Jury;
What was it that drove the State Supern-
tendent of Insurance in this State-honest
man though We believe him TO be-to the
humila,ing confession that he practically
knew nothing Of the workings of his depart
ment and that subordinates we're intrusted
with responsibilities that should have been
his alone? What was it that exposed the
intrignes of eniamn B, Odell with some OF
the big linanciers? What was 1t hat illumined
the horizon between some OF the skyscrapers
in New York and the Capitol at Albany dis
closing revelations of the most sensational
character? What was il hut the investiga
ton by fea rless committee. supplemented
by the efforts of an able and coura &c ous
attorney
And the report Of the findings Of that COM
mittee is yet 70 come, Scandal upon scandal
followed each other throughout the in
uuiry. Trusted men have been found un-
worthy, Some have been driven INTO retire
msnt The public has been led out of bondage
and into the light. Have not these results
been beneficial? Will not general good re-
sultp And II an investigation of the Bank
ing Dcpartmcnt will cause the insurance in
vesti CATION to sink into insignifcance. then
the sooner tho probe is put in to the hilt the
better
Stand aside. Senator Raines! And YOU
Malby' The people want to know. They
have a right to know You are their servants.
You are not ccnsors who are paid to say how
much of revelation is good, or how much is
bad for the general public good You are
not the masters of the people-you are there
to do the people will-not to smother legti
mate inquiries which concern your con-
stituents and the people AT large. nor to pro-
tect favorite and favored corporations!
Stand aside Let ne look into the Banking
Department and all The other departments!
Join with the Assembly and create Joint
committee! Give such committee ample
power, 1t is no time to 90 cunning for big
game with shot euns-use the ride.