The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1906-02-22
guilty of a serious offence against public
JUST CONDEMNATION.


morals.
JUST CONDEsfNATIoN.
The frank admissions that moneys have
been obtained for use IN state campaigns
upon the expectation that candidates thus
aided In their election would support the
interests OF the companies. has exposed
both those who solicited the contributions
and those who made them 10 severe and
just condemnation.
The committee recommended the pas
sage OF an unequivocal and drastic meas
ure 10 remedy this evil Not only should
IL be expressly prohibited and treated as
a waste OF corporate moneys, but any
officer. director or agent making, au-
thorizing or consenting 10 any such con-
meanor. and the prohibition should be ex-
tended TO all corporate contributions OF
this character.
LOBBYING CONDEMNED.
Nothing disclosed by the investigation
deserves more serious attention than the
systematic efforts OF the large insurance
companies TO control a large part OF the
legislation OF the state.
They have been organized into an often
sve and defensive alliance 10 procure or
10 prevent the passage OF laws affecting
not only insurance, but great variety
OF important interests 10 which. through
subsidiary companies, or through the con-
nectons OF their officers they become re-
lated.
Enormous sums have been expended In
a surreptitious manner. Irregular ac-
counts have been kept TO conceal the pay
ments for which proper vouchers have not
been required. This course OF conduct has
created a widespread conviction that large
portions OF this money have been dis
honestly used.
FIELDS AND HAMILTON
Andrew C. Fields, who represented both
the Mutual and the Equitable I'm leg1sla-
tive matters, remained beyond the Juris-
diction during the sessions OF the commit
tee. Andrew Hamilton who, within ten
years received upwards Of $l,0O0,0o from
the New York Life on the warrant OF It's
president, I'm connection with it's bureau
Of legislation and taxation, has remained
abroad and has failed 20 render any prop
er account. showing the disposition or the
money While IL is sufficiently evident
that large sums have been disbursed for
improper purposes, IL is also clear that
payments for confidential outlay exempt
from audit have furnished abundant OPP
portunltes for misappropriatdons They
suggest the necessity OF requiring strict
accounting from those who are responsi-
BILE for the payments as well as from the
agents who have received the moneys.
1t has been insisted that the insurance
companies have been so continuously
menaced by the introduction of improper
and ill-advised legislative measures In
many states that they have been com
PEELED 10 maintain n constant watchfui-
ness and 10 resort TO secret means 10 de-
feat them.
An insurance corporation however
holds a position OF peculiar advantage In
opposing any legislative measure which
really antagonizes the interest OF policy
holders.
A very large proportion OF the voters
of the state hold policies Of life insurance.
II is not a difficult matter To direct pub
lie attention TO the Objectionable bill
affecting life insurance corporations, or
10 have opposing argument and criticism
effectively presented.
The employment OF agents 10 disburse
large sums and OF clandestine methods to
defeat legislation Is wholly inexcusable.