The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1906-02-23

Of investigating and found young
Mccall figuring away as though his
life depended upon having the job
finished before daylight.
"How does it happen that you are
working so late when everybody else
has gone home9' asked the superin-
tendent.
"Well, there are lots Of things to
do here, and when I leave this office l
want the satisfaction of knowing that
nv work is done,' was young Nc
Calls reply.
''Is it you, then. who has been
burning gas here night after night9''
asked the superintendent.
II shall have to plead guilty." was
the response.
''You are in the habit Of working
nights?''
eyes, when I get bit behind; |
feel miserable if I know the work is
accumulating."
"Well," replied the new republi-
can superintendent, 'Fyou are one OF
the few men in this Office who show a
disposition to earn their salary. l
guess III have to withdraw my order
for your dismissal. -
"That suits me-" was Nh. McCall's
way Of acknowledging the eompli-
ment.
In the fall of 1872 MI. Mccall was
advanced to be an examiner, and in
1876 he was made deputy commission
er. Another republican-Charles 6.
Fairman--sa,cceeded Smyth as super
intendent, aid during the ter'::s OF
both Mccall did good work. The life
and fire insurance business, III this
state was in badly demorahzed con-
dition at that time. Frauds and ille-
cal practices were so common and
fragrant attempts were being made to
head of the supervisory powers OF
the state department.
Mr.. Mccall was tireless in his ef-
forts to lay bare the practices Of the
companies. Twelve fire insurance
companies in seven years were ex-
posed and driven out Of business, and
eighteen life insurance companies in
this state and fifteen ether states
were forced to stop issuing policies.
Presidents Of two Of the large
companies examined by MI. Mccall
were found guilty Of perjury and SEN
fenced to terms in the penitentiary.
In 1883, when Grover Cleveland
was governor, there was q movement
among the fire and life companies to
ask for the appointment Of Mr.. Nc
Call as state superintendent, but Mr..
Mccall refused. A petition, signed
bv bankers and representative busl-
ness men, was, however, presented to
Mr.. Cleveland recommending Mr.. Me-
Calls appointment. Daniel Manning
and Daniel S. Lamont, having become
interested in Mr.. Mccall through his
democratic friends, are said also to
have urged the appointment.
NHis indefatigable industry, en-
lishtened endeavor and uncompromls-
inc fidelity to duty have given abund-
ant proof of his fitness read the pc
tition which was presented to Mr..
Cleveland.
Mr.. Mccall was accordingly ap-
pointed in January, 1888, just thir-
teen wears after he had entered the
service of the department. David B.
Hill, who succeeded Mr.. Cleveland as
governor, offered Mr.. Mccall reap
pointment at the expiration Of his
term, but he turned it down and ac-
cepted instead the. eomptrollershlp OF
the Equitable. Life Assurance society
at a salary Of $4,000 year.. =.
That was in 1886. Six years later;
he was asked to become president Of
the New York Life at salary OF
$4,000 year. Mr.. Mccall was sci
lected at that time as one who could
restore confidence in the integrity OF
the institution. The ccmapny had
passed through almost year when
attack by the newspapers: which re-
suited in the disclosing Of many scan
dals and the retirement Of William Il.
Beers as the executive head Of the
company.
The company, when Mr.. Mccall be-
came president. was one Of the three
largest in the country, but 1t was III
condition k,EQn