The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1906-01-04
END OF THE INVESTIGATION

END OF THE INVESTIGATION
The insurance Investigation has closed
developed shocking condition of affairs in thu
great insurance companies but it failed to ac
complish some things that might have been ac
complished had not the legislative committee
promised that testimony given before the com
mttee should not be used in prosecutions agains
the witnesses. Public opinion has driven Alex
ander and Hyde from the Equitable and McCurdy
from the Mutual, and 1t is now reported thai
Mccall intends to resign from the New York
Life:
Hamilton has now rendered what pur.
ports to be an explanation Of his expend
lures. He makes an affidavit that "there
has never been disbursement made by me"
which trespassed upon McCalPs instructions.
Thls account contains no statement of any
real estate payments or any mention of the
$4,000 for a contingent fee in the tax cases
to which John A. Mccall on October 4 at
tributed the additional sum over the real
estate payments and Hamltons salary The
total amount Hamilton received from the
New York Life was 81 ,167 80, or more than
twice what Mccall testified that he received.
Ii this evidence is not enough to convict John
A. Mccall the prosecution for perjury of
smaller offenders might as we'll be discon-
tinued. The legislative committee is bring
ing its work to a close. 1t is now time for
Mr.. Jerome to begin the criminal prosecu-
tlons that viii start the procession to Sing
Sing.
1t is an amazing thing that George B.
Cortelyou chairman of the republican ma
tlonal committee, postmaster general and
former secretary of commerce. should NOT
have appeared voluntarily before the Iegisla-
1--WE committee to testify in regard to the
contributions made by life insurance compa-
MES to the republican campaign fund 1t is
not less amazing that Cornelius n Bliss.
treasurer OF the republican national commit
tee, former director in the Equitable and
former secretary of the interior, should not
have asked the committee TO an opportunity
10 explain why these contributions were ac-
cepted We are astonished that in view of
the revelations already made both of thasa
eminent gentlemen have not demanded the
right to be heard by the committee If Mr.
Cortelyou and Mr.. Bliss were the innocent
victims of life insurance duplicity, it is only
fair that they be indicated But strangely
enough they do not seem to desire yindica.
ton. 1t would almost appear that they pre-.
Ierred TO let the public put the most sinister
construction possible upon this transaction
rather than ask for opportunity to illumne
the dark places, Innocence Is prorarbaly
timid and retiring; but we have never known
innocence mork shrinking than this
This Is an admission that honest Iegisla.
tors are In the majority. and IL is fairly to be
presumed that they are intelligent enough 10
recognize a strike insurance bill when they
see it--partlcuarly as most of them are them.
selves insurance policyholders and personally
interested In defeating legislation really hos.
tile to legitimate life insurance business
Necessary 10 spend hundreds of thousands OF
dollars yearly 10 label strike insurance bills
for honest legislators TO kim We need only
state the claim 20 show It's ahsnrdty Ham.
llton knew very well that he was frItterlnr
away the money OF polleyholders for his own