New-York tribune., 1906-04-05
INSURANCE BILLS PASS.
FIVE THROUGH ASSEMBLY
Opposition to That Concerning Per
jury-Senate's Chance To-day.
TBy Telegraph 10 The tribune J

Albany April An spite of some sharp oppo-
sition TO one of them. FIVE more of the insur-
ance reform bills were passed to-day by the
Assembly. Some of the expected trouble over
the unamended bills cropped out when a de-
termined fight was made against the passage
Of the measure defining and penalizing perjury
in making out corporation or individual re-
ports, but the bill was passed easily 1t does
not apply alone to insurance officers. and it
was this point to which Assemblyman Wade
took exception.
This is what / call the fiercest and most
dangerous kind of legislation" he declared.
IF it applied only 10 insurance officers would
not say a word but when il compels that an
officer or director Of any corporation be in
dicted for perjury because he happens to make
contradictory statements in a report or is
misled by the president or cashier of a bank
Of which he happens TO be director think that
IL goes TO radical extreme"
Assemblyman Saloman made a similar OBJ
lection He said that the bill drastic
as 10 place the burden of proof of innocence
on the defendant-in direct contradiction to the
established principles of criminal law.
In defending the measure Mr. Rogers said it
was high time that the solicitude of legislators
for liars came TO an end. We've got to awaken
the public conscience some way" said he "or
the amazing spectacle of perjury condoned and
business deceptons apotheosized will become
more frequent and amazing still, to the ever
lasting disgrace of our state l thought my
self when l first read this bill that it was a
little radical and might injure innocent per-
sons but l satisfied that its principle
is a good one. and 1 sure that the bill
should be passed"
Mr. Bernstein offered an amendment making
the provisions OF the bill applicable only TO re-
ports of the financial condition of individuals or
corporations 1t voted down, and the COM
mittee bill was passed by vote Of 1l6 ayes 10
s noes. The Assemblymen Hho voted against
the bill were Fish. Bisland. Steele, Wade and
Wemple. Republicans, and Cohalon, Tompkins
and Wedemeyer. Democrats.
The first of the insurance bills taken up to-day
was the measure prohibiting political contribu-
tions. Assemblyman Rogers asked that it be
put over for day, so that he might consult Sen
ator Armstrong concerning some amendments.
He said the bill it stands might uninten-
uonally prohibit political meetings in Republican
or Democratic clubs through its ambiguous
phraseOlogy. The bill was put over and after
ward. when Mr.. Rogers asked TO reconsider and
have ii passed at once, Mr.. Palmer, minority
leader, objected. The measure viii probably be
| passed tomorrow
The bills prohibiting lobbying. false entries
by officers and employees and regulating the ac-
QUESTION of real property by insurance compa-
nies We're passed without dissent Assemblymen
]
bidding the giving OF rebates, but the measure
passed without debate.
The fight 10 be made by the assessment COM
paIlies against the principal bill amending the
insurance law generally Will come tomorrow
when that measure will be brought up for final
passage IN the Assembly.
In the Senate tomorrow the Insurance bills
will all come up special order for advance
ment from general orders TO third reading. pre-
paratory to final passage. Senator Grady, SEN
ator McCarren. Senator Malby and various other
Senators have been sharpening their knives all
the week and Senator Armstrong and the others
of the special committee expect a vicious battle
! before action is taken the measures.
After extended debate the Senate by a
vote of % 10 10, passed the Smith bill amend
! ing the insurance law, regulating and taxing
mutual fire insurance companies and prohibit
ing the insuring Of property in this state in un-
authorized companies. The bill is aimed against
the so-called New England mutuals, organized
under Massachusetts, and Rhode Island laws.
The proceeds of the taxation go TO the volunteer
hrenen OF the state The bill has been lost at
four five previous sessions.