Weekly independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1887-1914, 1906-01-19
MonoloKus ar 4 LIZ, Insurance
preaIlenf.

Stouewall Brown, of North Waco,
Texas, unused over the insurance ~ipvesti.
CATION and reproduced Patrick Heury's
famous speech in terms 20 suit he
eIigencies OF the insurance boodlers. 1t
is as follows:
1t is natural for man to indulge in
the vocation Of graft. We shut our eyes
against ~scrupulous policyholdeH and
listen 10 the Jungle OF that siren until
she trasforms US into oiigarchs. Isn't
this the part OF wise men engaged in a
great and ar1uons struggle for booty?
Should We be dispo ed to be OF tina
nuub.r who, having eyes see not
the bank roll and having cars htar net
the clink and jingle OF those things
which so nearly concern their temporal
welfare! For my party l am willing
to rob widows and orphans OF to lie
for il.
! have but II lamp 10y which my
hands are guided, and that Is the lamp
OF experience. l have no way OF judg.
ing my future except by the pigheaded-
ness Of my policyholders and judging
by the past Id like to know what there
has been done Openly IN my admins
~tration for the last forty years to justify
these fool h hopes OF publicity with
which the dear public has solaced itself.
| will not suffer myself to be betrayed
by II railroad pass! Are lawyers and
examinations necessary to a work Of
booty and graft? No. | will not be
deceived; these are the last implements
to which a ritled public resorts. Whnt
means this legal array il not to make me
disgorge? | can assign no other reason
for 1t. 1t is meant for me! 1t can be
means FOR no other. And what
shall l try against the clamor.
ing OF the dear public? Shall l
try explanation? This has been sue.
cessiui for forty years but it will work
avert the publicity that Is now coming
on-if | wish to be iree-if | am TO
preserve inviolate the purpose for which
this insurance society was formed. viz,
g~ratting,-it | am not to abandon the
graft in which ] have been so long en-
gaged-l must go to Europe for my
health for a time. repeat it | must go
to Europe.
Shall | acquire the means OF effective
resistance by sitting here in my office
smoking good cigars at the expense OF
my ~policyholders until | am tied hand
and foot? Mo / will make a proper
use OF the "means" which the god OF
graft hus placed in my possession.
Eighty millions Of people armed in the
holy cause OF honesty, and III such Il
country rs they possess (but which |
hope to own) are invincible 20 any tx.
planatioL | can send against them. But
by thunder | am not alone; there is the
presidents OF the Mutual, Prudential,
New York Livable and OF the Equitable
who preside over the destiny OF widows
md labOrers and who will help buy of
the lawyers for me.
Blu it is in vain to extenuatc the
matter! The examination has actually
began! The mex gale that sweeps from
Albany will bring 10 my ears the edicts
OF courts and tho accursed interrogat-
cries OF lawyers. Some OF my pals are
already in the "pen'. Why cit | here
idle? Is life not dear and peace not
sweet and liberty not necessary to
graft? That | should live in chains and
stripes? Forbid it Almighty God! |
know not what course others may take
but MS for me. give me booty or give me
death.