The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1906-02-27
THE NEW FIREMEN'S LAW.

1AS4l , 1Ollo eSt SoS0 iiAt" N4-N't 80
insurance rates will be raised two
per cent. The law provides for an
assessment Of two per cent on fire III
surance premiums paid III this state.
the fund arising therefrom to be used
as a pension or relief fund for aged
or injured fremen incapable OF max
ing living. The threat to raise the
rates two per cent in order that the
insurance companies may recoup
themselves on account of being forced
to furnish this pension fund is quite
natural and is something that was to
be expected. It is almost invariably
the case where legislatures make GER
tain exactions of corporations that
they in turn exact an equal amount
from the people 50 that instead If be-
ing publ, t,eneft such legislation
often indirectly Elaces an additional
financial burden upon citizens.
Thus instead Of the insurance com-
panies paying this pension fn:l'i the
people of the stnte who do bus ness
with such compares. will pay IT, We
have. no objection to firemen receiving
a pension and some slight pro"isloia
for old age but we do not know that
they are peculiarly entitled to it.
They have hazardous profession, as
rule, but when paid they are we'll
paid and where not paid their work is
that of self protection and no remun-
Grafton is expected. But since citi-
zens will have to pay this tax eventu-
ally why make fremen the benefic1-
aries rather than others? Why not
include, policemen, sherifs and peace
officers generally whose duties in the
way of protecting the public are more
constant and often just as hazardous?
When We start this sort Of thing there
will be no end to it. Other callmgs
will be demanding some scheme
whereby it's followers may be pension
ed. AS matter Of governmental
principle we believe such a policy
wrong, and if carried to It's possible,
and probable, extent we cannot afford
to indulge in it.
We think all such schemes are
wrong, especially in the way they are
usually carried out. If the state, 1or
instance, believes railroad commls-
sion is needed. it ought to pay the
salaries and expenses and not force
the railroads to do it. If it wants
bank examiner and assistants and
clerks the state ought to bear the ex-
pense and not levy tribute on banks
for that purpose. So if it wants to
pension any particular class OF cltl-
zens like fremen, it ought to vote all
appropriation for the purpose and not
force fire insurance companies to sup
DIV the cash. Such course would be
lust as cheap in the end for the peo-
ple at last have to bear the burden
in any case, but outside Of that the
principle is wholly wrong. No bet
ter evidence Of the practical working
of such policy has yet been shown as
has been, or will be, in this firemen s
law. and if the governor has not al
ready signed the bill he would be
fully justified in vetoing it because OF
its consequent increase IN insurance
rates. which already are burdensome
enough.-Columbia Record.
This firemen s insurance b'l! was
introduced late in the session amt was
trotted through both houses without
opposition, il fact a gentleman vino
seemed to be very much interested IN
the measure said to us thar there
should be no opposition to it from
anv one because it had the endorse
ment Of the insurance companies and
thew were willing to have this fund
put away to help those who had risk.
ed their lives to save the property OF
others and while saving property at
the same time keeping the insurance
companies from having to pay losses
It looked plausible and we saw the
measure 60 through practically with
out opposition. But now it seems that
the insurance companies deny that 1t
was their measure and if the governor
signs the bill it means higher rates OF
insurance.
The other propositions Of the Rec
ord in the matter of making railroads
and banks pay. the officers OF the
state who are to look after them Tor
the benefit Of the people the Record