The New York Herald Newspaper, November 13, 1872, Page 4

4 HOW NEW YORK FEELS THE BLOW Insurance Interests Involved in the Hub’s Misfortunes. ‘Withstanding the Shock Right Grandly. The Humboldt and the International the Only Suspensions---But Few More Expected To Go Down---Meeting of the Fire Underwriters Yesterday, Remarkable Prophecy About Bos- ton Mansard Roofs. New York State Companies Lose Over $5,000,000. FOREIGN COMPANIES HEAVY SUFFERERS, fxamination of Connecticut Companies Show Losses of $3,000,000. PROPOSED INCREASE OF INSURANCE RATES, The excitement among the Insurance officials was yesterday unabated. Later returns from their Boston agents in many cases gave more cause for hope to some companies, and showed their actual losses to be less than at first estimated, while others were grieved to learn that they were more heavily involved than first despatches indicated, Broadway, where most of the companies’ offices are situated, was the ” OBNTRE OF AN INSURANCE PANIO almost, and insurers and insured alike partook of the excitement. The publication in the HERALD yesterday of the losses did not appear to satisfy she patrons of the various companies, who crowded ‘the offices to learn by actual investigation of the solvency of the concerns in which they are insured. Tnsurance brokers and other officials hurried about with anxious visages in search of the latest intel- ligence, and hundreds expressed their fears for the Stability of companies known to be solvent pre- vious to this iatest disaster. There were many Tumors afloat as to the condition of some com- panies who declared on their bulletin boards that they were not seriously affected. One gentleman Stated that he knew of his personal knowledge that @ number of companies had placed their losses at One-half what they actually sustained. Said he:— “I tell you, sir, you can’t RELY UPON ANY OF THESE COMPANIES, ‘There is the ——— Company, who say thelr loss is but $100,000, I would make afidavit it is $200,000. Many of these companies will require all their surplus and nearly all their capital to pay oases, yet they profess to be solvent and able to reinsure their risks, They continue to take new risks without making up their impairment, and May go up ina balloon any moment when a pres- sure comes.” This view of the case was taken by Others, who sald that THE PUBLIC WOULD HAVE NO SECURITY antil the Insurance Department of the State over- hsuied the companies and compelled them to make Qp their deficiencies. ‘One great cause of the large losses to the com- panies is the rivalry that had existed between them. They have carried on a REGULAR CUITHROAT GAME to deprive each other of the business and have, been very careless in the selection of risks, For several months there has been a marked competi- tion between the Boston and New York compauics, for the business of the great mercantile houses that have been just swept out of existence, as it was considered a safe risk. Boston companies, how- ever, excelled New York companies by giving cheaper rates and the New York companies were driven into securing factory and mill risks instead. Consequently our companies come out less dam- aged than the Boston companies, many of which have suspended and are irretrievably lost by put- ting their saith in granite and Mansard roofs. The only city COMPANIES KNOWN TO HAVE SUSPENDED are the Humboldt and the International, although rumors respecting the collapse of others last even- ing flew around thick and fast, and reporters had &@ busy time chasing the canards and running them down to find them untrue. Tbe International, ata meeting of its Executive Board, was forced into a receivership, two elements contending for the se- lection of the receiver. The officers selected Mr. John Camerden, but the Court appointed Jarvis Slade, who justified in bonds of $100,000 and yester- day assumed charge. The capital of $500,000 is in shares of $50 each. The company has invested in real estate at 179 Broadway, where the ofice is situated. It claims a surplus of $450,000, and says it can pay all claims in full, have enough to rein- sure its risks and a balance of twenty-five or thirty per cent to divide between stockholders, The rumor of the suspension of the Corn Ex- change is premature. They place their assets at $270,000, losaes in Boston at $100,000, which re- duces assets to $170,000, Allowing $60,000 for rein- surance, $110,000 would be leit for stockholders, At &@ meeting of the stockholders and directors held yesterday the Boston loss was subscribed in full, and the company continue on their old capital and surplus. The Hanover, for the safety of which fears were entertained, has @ surplus, after paying all losses, Of $300,000; but $100,000 to keep that line of secu- rity unbroken was subscribed and paid in yester- day. The exact amount of salvage, which will reduce or increase the estimated losses, has not been ascertained; but a despatch from a leading Boston underwriter yesterday placed it from eight to mn per cent. WHAT OFFICERS SAY. Yesterday afternoon a HERALD reporter called at the offices of the Humboldt, Star, International, People’s and Hoffman Insurance Companies, it having got abroad that these companies had sus- pended. The ramorsa in reference to some of the Companies having suspended were totally ground. Jess, a8 the reports will show. The International Insurance Company has sus- pended, and Mr, Savage, the President of the com. pany, assured the Herat reporter that it ‘would be able to pay one hundred cents for every dollar of its indebtedness. The Humboldt Fire Insurance Company has also suspended and appointed Mr. Mulligan as receiver. The following is the statement:—Assets, $275,000; liabilities, $260,000. The reason of the small assets of this company is that for some time previous to the Boston fire its losses were very heavy, and consequently ite losses in Boston have a greater effect than they would otherwise have had. The President does not think that the company will be able to pay al more than seventy-fve cents on the dollar and thinks that doing that much will be doing a great deal. It was also reported that the Star Fire Insurance Company had lr int but such @ step would have been altoget! unnecessary, a8 will be seen from the follow: Oficial statement :—C: $200,000; surplus, $205,000; asse 5 loss by the Boston fire, $130,000, ese figures of ‘the losses are from the has ep de ah in Boston; but it is highly improbable that In the existing state Of affairs a correct estimate of losses could be 8. The Hofman Insurance Company was reported to have suspended, but the Voutismenaiy omicers would vouci no one any information in reference to their condition. report was re- celved last night that the People’s Fire Insurance . Company, of Worcester, Maas. had suspended. Its Rew York agents, at 202 Broadway, bad not, ‘up to @ late hour, received any oficial information as to the wi sion, but entertain fears that the Fe have to suspend, as its losses are There were many reports about THE STANDARD INSURANGR omen bere had wound up its aiairs, A reporter of the HERALD found that these reports were not true, It is true the Standard lost very heavily by fro re—to the amount of “$276,000; but NEW YORK HERALD, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 1872.—TRIPLE SHEET. ‘the directors Reld @ mect- ing yesterday, and @ us vote was given as to whether tho impairment should be Made up, and an aMrmative decision resulted. It One bundred was resolved to make up the oases. and tpg 2 dollars was subscribed, half of it on the spot, to make up the deficiency. This puts the companyonafirm footing tor the |ARKET, future. is, therefore, will be remembered fered severely from the Ohi by i lg for a time, ultimately ‘THR NATIONAL ‘Was said to be in danger of Fopaeees r,t assets of 000 thelr losses by the fre $140,000. Te ae however, Wu be paid in full, and ‘the stockholders have pledged themselves to subscribe $100,000 more to make up the deficiency in the capital.’ So this company also is all right, THE NABSAI escaped unhurt by the foresight of its President. He heard Mr. Oakley make his address over a year on the danger of Mansard roofs, and at the thine resolved to take no risks in Boston on this ac- count, As the Feralt has roron ne a Ee acd, on now comes out not one do > many have been seriously imperilied. On Saturday evening an agent went into the People’s, of New York, and wanted to insure Stewart’s Boston prop- erty. The rate he offered was forty-five on @ thou. sand, but this seemed too low to the company aud they refused it. This saved them from a large loss. Many similar incidents of the good or adverse fortune of the insurance companies are told; but universally the greatest courage has been shown under thia terrible ordeal for them. Many have been saved by the fact that they will not take risks out of town, and one—the St. Nicholas—by the fact that its Boston agent was much more FOND OF GETTING LIFR ASSURANCES than of attending to their business, and the com- pany, as it has turned out, has the most potent reasons for teeling teful to him. This is why their loss is so small. Those ho have lost the largest sums complain bitterly that not only have they been too e: in giving insurances, but that the rates are altogether too low for the class of property insured. Thus large sums have been lost where they should not have been, and aitogether the companies have learned a lesson from Boston which they but imperfectly understood when the Chicago disaster occurred. MEETING OF THE FIRE UNDERWRITERS, Ameecting of the underwriters was held yester- day, Mr. Garriguo, of the Germania, in the chair. ‘The question o! pene) rates was referred to the Committee on Rates and Survey, with a view of considering whether it is advisable to amend the rules of 1869 and bys which rule at present; in the meantime these rates are to be tue standard for all risks. From the Secretary, Mr. Hens- bow, of the Long Island, it was ascer- taiaed that the of rates one per meet with much favor, ag it was found to work badly in the past. The subject of increasing the rates on Mansard roofs was referred to the same committee for @ report, and a committee of five was appointed to prepare an address to the citizens against tho erection of these combustible structures. ‘The oficials appear much alarmed at the increasing number o! sard roofs being constructed, and many companies decline to insure them except at a high rate of premium, MANSARD ROOFS, Ata meeting of the Board of Fire Underwriters, held yesterday afternooa, the members of the press were requested to mention, for the enlighten- ment of the peuiing Uahle, the hake on Mansard roofs made to the Board of Fire Underwriters in the month of November, 1870, This committee, composed of experienced civil engineers, reported that in the prosecution of their duty they causcd a careful survey tobe made of several large buildings that had been erected in New York durin the Previous four or five ‘heres and that the selected fhe buildings Ramed below as specimens of what con- stitutes a Mansard roof, It will be secn that the list includes stores, dwellings, hotels and manulactories, but does not embrace buildin, occupied as asylums, hospitals and for public amos which will here: rt be spoken of, The lansards on these buildings are constructed en- tirely of wood and covered on the outside with slate, fastened to wood, but leaving considerable surface of wood exposed, and much more so than would be the case with an ordinary wooden cornice. No, 1,200 Broadway, northeast corner of Twenty- ninth street.—I'his house is used as a hotel, and has a roof 2% feet high, all of wood, Nos. 1,182 to 1,192 Broadway, southeast corner of Twenty-ninth street—roof 16 feet high. Nos. 1,161 and 1,179 eroah way northwest corner of Twenty-seventh street—roof i feet high. é oes ag to 687 Broadway—roof 27 feet high, or 3g stories. Nos. 895 to 901 Broadway, southwest corner of Twentieth street—roof 21 feet high, or 13¢ story. Nos, 134 and 136 Grand street—roof 18 feet high. Nos. 138 and 140 Grand street—roof 18 feet. Nos. 115 and 117 Worth street, northwest corner of Elm street—root 16 feet high, Nos. 68 and 70 William street, northeast corner of Cedar street—roof 11 feet high. Buildings on the east side of Lexington avenue, bounded by Forty-first and Forty-second streets and Lexington avenue—roof 14 feet high. Nos. 128 to 138 East Sixtieth street—roofs 10 feet meta 125 to 159 Kast Sixtleth stroct—roots 9 feet ee 140 to 148 East Sixtieth street—roofs 7 feet noe 164 to 170 East Sixtieth street—roofs 11 feet Kes, 141 to 171 East Sixtieth street—roofs 12 feet Un receiving this report the “select committee’ was convinced that their had been a great neglect of duty on the part of the oficials charged with the supervision of the erection of buildings, but on reierring to the law they found the following, sec- tion 15 of the laws of 1866:— Sxc. 15, All side or party and front or rear walls not corniced, and where no gutter is required on any build- ing over tiiteen feet high, shall be built up and extended at least twelve inches ‘above the roof, and shall be coped with stone or iron, provided that where partition walls are carried up,'and where Mansard or French Tools are built over @ hotel or block of houses the partition and division walls may be carried up above the roofing and coped with some fire preof material, or shall be carriod up to the under side of the roof-planking; and the roof-planking must, in all such cases, have a space of at least four inches left, ex- tending the entire length of the wall between the ends or sides of said planking, filled up to the top of the plankiug with good moriar,'and the slating or other root material may then be carried over the same. This they consider equivalent to doing away with coped or fire walls upon ge building with a Pons roof. They reported that they could see nothin; three, four or even five stories of woed on top of beret houses, provided they were covered with slate. The committee further state that when they con- sider the fact that a majority o! roois are put on houses without having the safety wall run up to their full height, they see no way of protecting the buildings from destruction should one of them take fire, Re also state that those who are familiar with the construction of Mansard rooss in Paris, where they originated, know that it ig required in all cases that the walls should extend above the horizontal and also the slope of the roof, and are never allowed to be uncoped. Wood is never allowed to be used in their construction, except as inner planking. The plea that has been been put forth that coping such walls destroys the architecturat beauty of the buiiding can be most easily refated by gaping such patlaings as the National Park ik, the Equitable Life Insurance oes the Yor ERALD and several others, all highty ornamen and where copings haye been made to add to the architectural effect and at the same time afford a perfect protection. The roofs of all these buildings are entirely constructed of iron and stone, without any woodwork being used, the plastering even being on iron Gti In speaking of the eM of building cheap Maneard roois the report of the committee sa: “False economy has more to do with this films: class of buildings than anything else, good archi- tecturalefect being secured atthe expense of safety, and by endangering all surround! ne prop- erty. It does not require a prophet to predict that circumstances palgit arise by which entire rows could be destroyed, as the so-called copings would interpose no obstacle. In referring to some of the hotels, dwelling: lums, &¢., of New York the reports 8 that “these tops are nothing less than huge tinder-boxes.”” Franklin and Devonshire streets, Boston, are notable examples of this class of defective butld- ings, in @ region where millions of dollars of valuable Property are exposed to loss by a single Parts of White street. in this ciey. are al subject to the same criticts New York under- writers are aU, more or less, interested in these sister citles, and how can they exclaim against the insecurity of buildings in them ff they do not first set thelr own houses in order? From what has been stated it must be evident to all members of the New York Board that their only safety lies ina radical change of the law relative to the construc- ton of this tg part of buildings in New York and elsewhere. The committee, in conclusion, recommend the following, after the word iron, in fifth line of section 15 of the law:— Provided that where Mansard roofs are placed on Gwellings where the root is not over ten teet in height the casings, frames, rafters and sheathing may be o! wood; provided. in all cases, the coping on the face of the root is not Jess than twelve inches indepth; but, in all cases, division walls must be carried through the roof ‘and coped in the usual way. other buildings the casings, frames, rafters and wot the Mansard rvofs must’ be of iron or other metal; copings to all walls to extend through the least twelve inchs Alterations.Where or hereatier to be covere: walls of the 8 ‘or more buildings are altered under one root the dividins rane shall be carried through the root aid tevery fity teet. The foliowing are the latest reports of all the New York compantes, as collected on personal ap- plication by the HERALD reporters :— NBW YORK CITY AND STATE COMPANIES, Lone about Atna—Capital, $200,000; surplus, $39,000; risks In fire, $60,000. The fone a ek he pads uP by Assessments, 80 as not to interfere with assets... American change Caplial, $25.00; suri, 000; risks in tire, $10,000, No Impairment.... Albany, of Albat ve De (000; Sha Be Cys eit will ‘Atlaagl ; ourplus, 866.000; risks in the law to prevent one trom building: in fire about “intr S10 090; will be. of surp! ea, eae eae mei 75,000 ments, 60 as to leave the assots unt . Adriatic—Capital, $200,000; surplus, $99,000; ‘dna will eg, mins Sra Lan Seoul eusetarsine..J29 Brocklyn—Assets, $878,297. No loss... surplus, $150,000; 9,08 waimpaired, merce, Albany—The oficers of this company decline to give any detail on tho ground thae do not know their condition Commerce, New York. .. . ~ 63 Exchange—Capital, $260,000; suirplus, $72,500; risks in fre $15, O00. Leogs will be ald ourof surplus. 10,000 — Assets, $575,000. No riaks...... = Binpire City—Capital, $.0),000; surpl risks In fire, $25,000. . Will pay out of surplu 10,000 Fi '6—Ca pital, 000; surplus, $100,000; Hinks, #10000) Win Srobably pay lose out ot sur 100,000 romen's Trust—Assets, Farragut—Asots, Bay, ‘out of surplus. Glen's Fal a Guardian. jurpius, $50,000; risks of surplus and make }200,000 ; 8 ill pay out German in aurpits, ri ay out of asi probaly DY arseasinen Greenwich--Assets, $515,000; to loss. pital, 320000; asscts, 0), ‘Will pay out of surplu — Assets, Saree risks in tre cover all emergencies. teks ‘bon All Sis.275, "Ample surplus 8 covor all omer Globe—Assets, $514, right....... i, May pay partial -ance out of surplus. .. Humboldt—suspende ascertained np 1, 000 5 300,000 Tinpairme: in fre, $3 Hype Capital, $152,000; surpits, pilus, 5 will be made up... $70,000; risks “in fire, $60,000. impairment will be made up by sub- ‘No’ ioss Mr. Ho $600, n—Assets, $500,000. t dent, still refuses to give any fact to be heavy al Importers and (rocers'—Capital 000; risks in fre, Altri Irving—Capital, $200, to give figures of loss Tnternational—Assets, 5, risks ‘tweet $300,000 and ‘$100,000. ‘Placed in hands of temporary’ recetver, Jarvis Shade; will (they say) pay dollar for dollar, retnsure’ their risks Pat ave dividend of 25 or 30 per cont tor stock- older 50,000 300,000 —Has a capital of joa Rg otal or 9,000, an piseaey “iat 19 ts ral rn) da surplus of $ ihe insurances granted in Boston the loss suftered $10,000... Kings County Insurance Cor Of $150,000 anda surplus of $120,351, garensos in Boston are $30,000, and th: Knickerbocker tal of $300,000, a s pority hateverin Boston, and no laseeeseeeeersaree Lafayette Insurance Com) ios and a surplus of $111,000. ston Wore $20,00), and their losses Lamar Insurance Company—Has a $200,000 and. a surplus of $80,517% Tho lomes of this company in Boston are . The direcs- oréthold a ihcethig’ yeuterdgy ‘and resolved 1 make gocd the impairment of $25,000, and the company will continue to do business as usual... nox Fire Insurance Company Las a capital of 150,000 and a surplus ot s4 w00, ‘The risks in joston amounted to $26,000 and the losses to $16,000—about two thousand dollars reported... seeeeeees Fire Insurance Comp: rance Company. plus of $117,000, and they had consequently any—tins'a capital ur if Thei sks in ‘pital of 75,000 fi a Doug Island any tal of $200,000 and a surplus of $240,009. \ risks and no losses in Boston whatever. This company has @ few policies issued on Eazt Bos- ton, but has no agents and does not write for oston......... tee eereneser sees Lorillard Fire Insurance Company—Has a capital ‘of $300,000 and a surplus of $ Tts loss by the Boston fire is $100,000, not counting salvage ana the defictency in’ the surplus of $20,000 will be promptly made up, by the stockholderss,..... Manufacturers and Builders’ Fire Insurance Com. ny—Has 8 capital of mpany had no ris! in Boston. fn eUipaste-ak) Market Fire Insurance Company—THas 4 capital of ,000 ana a surplus of $70,000, The total loss fo the compauy by the Boston fire is $120,0.0, There were report; around town yesterday that this company had wound up, but they were Pithout foundation. The directors hold a meet- ny $200,000 and a surplus of ind no losses to-day, at which it will be resolved io pay the $50,009 ‘taken from the capital to pay the losses and assess the stockholders for the same. In the meantime the company goes on with its Dusiness. Be stv Manhattan Company has a capital ot 1,000 and a surplus of $130,000. The loss the fire to the company. 1s ‘$30,000, the tovil amount of the risks in Boston Mechanics and Traders’ Fire Insurance iy has a capital of $200,000 and a surplus ot $290,000, Tne risks in Boston wero $25,00 and the losses Mechan: iB aie Con pay has a capital of $160,00) and a supine ot $0 ‘the total amount of risks in Boston was $10,000 and the losses: ove Mercantile Fire ‘of $200,000 and urplus is $8 amount of risks in the fire distri the losses also are $ . Merchants’ Fire Insurance Company of New has a ws of ,009 and a }230,000. ‘he venga declit losses ores the fire, but they are estimated to be ‘about $100,000. ‘The risks are about $150,000), all of which may be found to be lost. ° Metropolitan Fire Insurance pompaay. has a capt- tal of $300,000 and a surplus of $100,000, 3 company had no agents in Boston. and writes no risks outside of New York and suburbs. Be- sides the surplus of $100,000 they hold Alabama claims to the ‘amount of $10,000 more, which are ne sur- jontal ‘f (tal of $150,000 and a surplus of $195,000. Tt had risks in Boston amounting to $10,000, and the nsurance Company ‘has a capital of 000 and the surplus is $225,000, The Com- any had no risks whatever in Boston and no losses. sce National Fire [nsurance Company has a capital of x and a surplus $14,000, Its risks in Boston amounted to $300,000, and on this $140,000 was inthe burned district, wh.ch the company loses, with the exception of what may be lessened by salvage. The stockholders have Pledged themselves to Increase, the capital of he company $100,000, to put the questi solvency above any doubt, New York Bowery Fire capital, 9% urplus, $325,000—had no risks in Boston and came out unscathed cared New York and Yonkers Fire | Ins pany—Capital, $200,000; surplu; risks in Borton amounted to $70, losses to the same suin -$70,00, There meeting ot the directors to-day to cover ciency in the capital of $35,000. New York Equitable—Capi 000. The total risks ass ese 30,000 25,000 t 5,000 M 140,000 willbe a the defl- it 8, ed in boston by this company were $20,000, and the losses foot up to $15,000, ee, veg New York any—Capital, $300,000; surplus, $1 isks in Boston ‘and no losses. .... Caden Niagara Fire Insurance TK ),000. ‘Company— $1,000,000; surplus, $300,000. The total risks as: | Steriih “Fire” tleast twelve inches on the top, a$ well as on tic | sumed by the company were $386,000, of which Jess than 000 1s @ loss to thé iy. This is covered a “he Is. ey North River Fire Instirai tal, surplus $150,00. rane company had no $200,000; Tiska and no losses in’ Bo: Pacific Fire Insurance surplus, $299,702, Th is cot) losses are ,( Park Fire Insurance’ Compan: furplus, $90,000, No ris Peopie’s ¥1 Capital, $150,000 and no losses in Boston. People’s Fire Insurance ‘Com Capital, $200,000; surplus, y assumed iu Bost “Capital, $100, 00005; and no losses in Bos: surplus, Peter Cooper. i 5 100,000. No risks in Boston and no losses in ‘ sin Bost guid In the suburbs t9 th $2,000,000, this the company sufi xt} iy or ors a loss of $400,000, ‘This Is the total loss, not considering What salvage may be mad: Relief Fire Insurance Company—Capital, O00; surplus, $0,000, The total amount insurcd by this company was $150,000. Of this $5),00) was in the burned district, and Is lost 4s all right, the officers say. eptl Fire Tneurauce he extent of $200,0 district and Is a loss. ), i surplus, 1,000. to $10,000 in the burned "This company. esc 0 agency business fe Ratgers Fire’ Insurance’ Gompany—Capi 000. No risks and no losses in Boston. ; St, Nicholas Fire Insurance Company—Capital, $150,000; sarpls, $103,000, The company had in- surance in Boston to the extent of $90,000. Their loss bas been (et * ++ 15, Safeguard Fire Insure y surplus, $42.00); risk: The mpany B Jompany—Capital, ured in Boston to hich Was in burned 200,000 Company—Capital, Hed risks amounting listrict, and this isa d by the fact that it 10, vany—Capitai, Foston, $15,000; Standard ' Vire Tniurance — Compan: \ $200,100; surpins, $225,0, The toral amount of Insurances gruuted ‘on’ Boston property was 000. The total losses are $275,000. The di- rectors of the compa piedged themselves to make up deticlencics.and yesterday the ‘sock holders subscribed $170,000 to this burpos Star Fire Insurance Comvany—Capital, surplus, $205,009. ‘The total amount assumed in Boston was $252,000 Com; sin or risky The losses ate ‘omy ; surplus, $5,000. No risk and no losses, = Stuyvesant Fire ‘Insurance Company—Capital, Y surplus, $150,000. No risk and no loss in e pany—Capital, xX Urplus, $400,000. ses Of this Com Pany in the Boston fire amount to $250,000. The directors have subscribed $70,000 to make the Pnited a $ sks ape Townes i. oan ‘ashington ire’ Insurance’ Company—Gapital, Foe { sttrp]s, $59,000; losses in Boston, $70,000, ‘he Board of Directors subscribed the deficiency, #0 ag to leave the capital unimpaired. Westchester Fire Insurance Compan} 1 Haas, ls Heald rir fn Boston, Total losses of New York companios admitted. .$5,78 509 FIRE INBURANCH COMFAMIES OF OTURE STATES AND OOUNTRIRS DOING BUSINESS IN NSW FORK CITI—APPROXIMATE RE- TURN. ae aan cha at et sae oon rare Stat 25,000 Commerce, $414,621 ones Connecticut, asso Citizos if 000; risky in Boston, $1 ?, Mewark, N. JeCapit ; Fisks in Boston, $40,100... . Exolan ¢, Boston—Ca iad 973.080, Coan’ 3, Fairfiel South Noriaik, Oonn.—C 40 255,783; riske In Boston, Fireman’ of ban Wo ie pital $500,000; assets, 626 ; st Franklin of Bhftadeipliia Capital risk in Boston, $495,W00. . “er is Fanouil Hall, Boston—Capital aud assots, $200,000 ( uspended) woot Fire Association, Philadelphia—Capital, $2,025, no risks and consequently no losses Paraee bteg York, Pa.—Capital, sets, $85, > Gorman, Erte, } Guardian, London, losses ‘assets, $2. + risks In Bost London aeaice g8 dnt Ei ae me Asact: risk tn. 000, 96, me Boston, $20), Lancashire, Manchester, England “Capita and assots, $10,000,000; risk In Boston, $120,000... 125,000 Liverpool and London and Globe, Jand—Capital and assets, $21, risk in burnt district, $1,639, lomo office talegraphs, “Draw for lossy at Boston aa re- quired.” Tt nosalyage.. Lawrence, Boston—Capital, Will pay ry ee cent on losses) 189,970 omin ). uncy, Pa.—Capital and assets, 3,066,280 ; risk in Boston, $10,000... wae 10,000 Merchants’ Insurance, Boston—Capital, $944,165; report:d suspended $0000) Mercantile insurance, ported suspended Merchants’ ual, PR ividence, B. i.—Capital, gi $1.00); risks in Boston, 1,874, + 60,009 no Loss, - , Boston—Capital and assets, $916,202 a, ay 79 ber cont. ;- ae Meriden Fire “insurauce “G Conn.—Capital (new) not known, probably light National, Hartiord—Capital risks in Boston, $150,009. ,t » 150,000 North Britis era Yeniton, Engiand— a, aut iT ! » es tn joston, $3,705,514; los one-half of the surplus fund. Orient, Hartfor sith ee Assets, $050, risks at Boston, 8 A Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. People’s, Worce+ter—Capital, $800,293. "Will prob- ably suspend. 3 Pheeni) aurtfc ton, $60,000. Queen, Livernooi, ‘Engiand. i . 4,900,000; risk in Boston, ),000. Despatch rom home office proffered assistance, which is unrequired..... Reliance, Phiiad i, pana loss none. Gaatani oa oy a verpool, Englan Javi $10,000,000; Fisk not reported. 1,250, Clevelund—Capital, $290,062; risk ‘ia Boston, 23, jo returns of losses... State, Hannibal, Mo.—Capital and gio, Triumph, Cinciinati—Capital and asscts, $812, Total loss as returned....... fer The following are the losses collected by the In- surance Spectator:— MASSACHUSETTS JOINT STOCK FIRE, MARINE AND FIRE-MARINE COMPANIES, Losses tu Boston. ci $1,000,000 200,000 Company Springfield Suffolk . ‘Traders and Mechanics’ ‘Tremont... Washingion . , Boston, $15,050,000 2 ‘AL FIRE, MARINE AND FIRE: MARINE COMPANIES, Dorchester Mutual Ins. Co... Port Norfolk Mechanics’ Mutual Ins. Co.,.. Boston. Mas:achusetts Mutual Ins. Go. Boston. Merchants and Farmers’ Mu- tual Ins. Co. Quincy, Mutual inion Mutual Ins. CONNECTICUT COMPANIES, FROM OFFICIAL REPORT MADE BY STATE INSURANCE COMMISSIONER, Losses in ‘ ‘ 250, . 1,000, 2,347,000 E2500 1,627,709 442.800 000 175,000 620,000 150,000 Meriden 235,000 80,000 ‘otal wens eee! $3,027,000 No other Connecticut companies have losses in Boston. RECAPITULATION. gis moe New York State companies. $5,782,500 Companies of other State business in Now York. Rann nada. autnaican companies, &c ir genes Massachusetts mutual marine and fire- 15,060, marine companies. 4,540,000 Connecticut companie: 3,027,000 Total losses reported. $42,941,494 WHAT CONSAITYTES INSURANCE. To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD :— The history of the three great fires that have oc- curred in the United States during the past few years—viz., Portland, Chicago and Boston—reveals this fact for the serlous consideration of all who geek true indemnity against loss by fire, which is, that small companies, of $200,000 and $300,000 capi- tal, do not offer suMcient guarantee against loss that any prudent business man or others connected with him through commercial relations should accept. Many, whose property was destroyed by these great fires, are to-day hopelessly bankrupt through the inability of companies in which they placed their insurance to meet their losses, The reason of this and the remedy, to my mind, scem clear. We will take, for instance, Chicago. How many companics of small capital found themselves in- volved after that disaster ten times the amount of thelr capital stock ? But, it may be said, that such extensive confa- g tions are rare, and, ordinarily, the danger of is inability to meet losses does not occur. True, but they do occur, and scarcely one year has passed since Boston followed in the wake of Chicago. Agents naturally seek all the business they can find, as on the amount’ they obtain depends the ratio of their income. They may be governed by the bah erg of underwriting, by not carryin; too heavy lines on one block, but, as evidence in the fires alluded reeta do not limit the extent of fires, ad no certainty exists that policies in such companies are worth the paper they are written on. Companies to FY the public true insurance against loss, to be fully prepared to meet any exigency, should have large capital, and [ believe the best interesta of stockholders and of the if companies of small capital would consolidate, The expenses of conducting compat 000,000 capital are no more than for one of $200,000, While js course would dispense with the services ofa it many salaried ofticials, it would be ae tS e pockets of stockholders and give the pos ic ter security and place underwriting on a er In case an extensive conflagration should come upon this city, Abad os bi alter block before it, Whose policies would afford the greatest feeling of security—those of small companies or those whose assets are connted by millions? This isa subject which, 1 believe, should be seriously con- ublic would be served sidered and discussed, INSURER. THE RELIEF COMMITTEE OF THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, The committee appointed by the Chamber ot Commerce on Monday to take measures for the relief of the sufferers by the Boston fire met yes- terday at noon in the rooms of the Chamber. There were only aix members present—Messrs, Dodge, Morgan, Opdyke, Winston, Wendell and Fliess—the other members being engaged mostly Qt other meetings, such as those of direc: tors oinsurance companies, or of the various es ness exchanges haying a similar object of relief in view. The Rowing feypatoh been sent to Boston by Mr. William E. chairman — New Yorn, Nov. 11, Tel new Fork in ya with Boston. What can we do for yout W. &. DODGE, Rollef Committoo Chamber Commerce. To this the following answer was returned :— Bostow, Noy. 11, Wastin %, Dovor, Onareuan Reine Gounipienin inks for your wm ig now under hy offer But few dwell uses are burned.” Meeting of the Relies Commitee will be Fa WY the extent of o of our needs, * ToL "Sasron, Anoth also are nother despatch had been received from 0, H. Merritt, President of the Board of Trade of San An Xas, eons be informed of the ex- tent of the fre and tende: aid. The committee confined its discussion to merely desul conversation upon the subject of Bos- ton'a ni Gnally conciuded, in view of the despatch from or Gaston, that they would wait for furtner information before they took action, a8 at present i¢ is not known whether pecuniary aid, preed,. a0 - OW cow erotal privileges is ueoy 2 © C01 journed si Ject to the call of the Chair, icici OONTRIEUTIONS FOR THE SUFFERERS RE- OBIVED AT THE HERALD OFFICE. The following subscriptions for the sufferers have been received at this office :— William Parkhouse, 41 Centre atreet. “C, R. P.,” for poor working girls. . CUSTOM HOUSE AFFAIRS. The Effect of the Boston Fire on the Wool Market—Six Million Pounds of This Staple in Bond—Immenseo Advance in the Price of Leather, The great confagration at Boston has had its effect on the Custom House by making the business of “withdrawal from bond” somewhat livelier. The wool market especially was made very active, owing to the complete anniftilation of that staple article by the fre. From careiully prepared statis- tics on file in the Auditorjs division of the Custom House, it appears that the stock of raw anmanno- factured wool in bond and available for immediate use isabout six million paends, including grades of all kinds, The enhanced value of this merchandise since the past forty-eight hours 1s no less than from ten to twenty per cen! ‘he same may be said of leather. Not only have imported skins advanced largely in price, Dut do- mestic stock has Gone up in proportion. Importers of French calfskins and English leather are ship- ping largely to Boston and to those places hereto- re supplied by that ay The very great bulk of goods in our bonded ware- houses will have to be withdrawn now, in order to supply the burned district with new stock to con- tinue business, Otherwise everything is very quiet at the Cus- tom House, THE RECENT FIRE IN TWENTY-SEVENTH STREET, Investigations of the Case. The name of the man who was burned to death during the fire at 257 West Twenty-seventh street, a few nights ago, was Adrian Dyer. He worked at repairing furniture, and, ing in hig , foom at the Rie ot ae ar. Fae Se ae time the fire broke Out, was unable to e&capé and consequently burned to death. Deceased, who was pout sixty years of age and a native of North Carolina, had never been married. He left several bank books showing small deposits in the savings institutions, ‘The origin of the fire, Ponoenning: which therd appears to be some suspicion, will be thoroughly investigated by the Fire ‘Marshal. Coroner Schir- mer has the case in charge. The remains of Mr. ibe were yesterday removed to the house of a friend, 161 West Twenty-seventh street, EXPENSIVE BAGGAGE BURNED UP, Early yesterday morning a baggage car of the Adams Express train on the New Jersey Railroad, while passing through Newark, from Philadelphia, en route for New York, was discovered to be on fire. It was promptly detached and run on aside track and the firemen called out. These soon ex- tinguished the flames, but the paggage wine Prete well burned up. It consisted of costly freight, suc! as ladies’ dresses, brandies, choice cigars, &c., and is computed to have been worth from $8,000 to $10,000, A spark trom the locomotive insinuated itself through @ crevice and touched a bale of cot- ton; hence the fire. GRAND TEMPERANCE DEMONSTRATION. of Temperance in Council—Ade by Dr. Hal and Mr. Hepworth— Music and Recitation. A grand temperance demonstration under the auspices of vaiious divisions of the Order of Sons of Temperance, was given at Association Hall, cor- ner of Fourth avenue and Twenty-third street, last evening. At the hour announced for the opening, eight o’clock, the large hall was comfortably filled, representatives from the various divisions being attered through the audience, and by their re. galia adding liveliness to the scene, The programme was lengthy, and inoluded music, both vocal and instrumental, and addresses by gentlemen prominent for their advocacy of the temperance reform. Mr. Charles E. Gildercy was called to the chair, and after few remarks expressive of his pleasure at being called upon to preside over so large anda respectable a meeting of the supporters of temper- ance, announced an overture on the organ, “Crown Diamonds,’”’ by Professor Antonio L. Mora. This was followed by eee and @ song, entitled “My Lovely Ohild, Good Night,” sung by Miss Maria D. Moore, in an admirable manner. An address was then delivered by Rev. John Hall, D. D., He opened by stating that he had been engaged as a substitute for Dr. Taylor, who had been called elsewhere, and this substitution had suggested to him the train of thought he proposed to follow out this evening. He related the anecdote of the Scotch lord whose housekeeper feared she would not have beds enough for all the company he had invited, and who advised her to provide plenty of whiskey and the [eb would provide beds for themselves, As the hard floor of a Highland castle was a poor sub- stitute lor @ comfortable bed, so was alcoholic stimulant but a poor substitute for the many things of lite. He protested against ite being made the base of hospitality and of good fellowship. He called the attention of the audience to the poor wit, the $3 00 3 00 coarse mirth and the shabby, wlear-eyed drollery 80 much Bparocintes by men in their Cups, show- ing the debasing tendency of drink in 3 social relations. He portrayed the ill effects of usin; alcohol as & stimulant when weary and dep! Befuted the argument used by liquor seliera others, based Ou the amount of money paid by them to the government, by showing the other side and how much expenditure of money, aside from health and life, followed on the trafic. He algo gave some startling statistics in reference to the cost of mtoxicating beverages in the United Kingdom and in the United States. A medley of his own composition by Professor Mora, which followed, was loudly encored. A reci- tation and song by William E. Macdonough, en- titled the “Dream of the Reveller,”’ was excellently done, and called forth enthusiastic applause. An addresg was then delivered by the Rey. George H. Hepworth, and the meeting closed with the doxology and benediction. The Order oO! the Sons of Temperance was organ- ized in this city September 29, 1842, by sixteen per- sons, and bas enrolled nearly two mullions of per- sons in the United States and British Provinces. The Grand Division of the Order will assemble in mee Hall, opposite Reservoir Park, this morn- ng. How the Affairs of the Quaker City Are Alleged to Have Been Conducted. PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 12, 1872. The investigation into the charges of corruption and bribery in the City Councils commenced to-day, and so far the testimony shows an amount of ve- nality rivalling that exposed in New York last year, The testimony of a reliable witness, fully corroborated, shows that there was a wood paving ring designed to defrand the city; that @ large sum of money was raised for the purpose of bribing members of the Councils to vote for the wood pavement on Broad street, that the affair was concocted and carried on in the office of one member of the Councils, and that when a member threatened to go back on the whole con- cern threats were made to kiil him. The testimony, 80 far as taken, implicates many outsiders. It is believed that those who are opens the affair do 80 at the risk of their lives, some of those impil- cated in it being also implicated in the Brooks, Mara and Dougherty atfair. ADVERTISING BOGUS DEGREES IN GERMANY, PHILADELPHIA, Noy, 12, 1872. ©. H. T, Collis, City Solicitor, has received a let- ter from the American Consui at Hamburg stating that advertisements have been published in Ger- man newspapers offering to procure degrees from the University ot Philadelphia for $120 in gold. He has notified the Consul that the charter of the so- called University has been repealed by an act of the Assembly, and that all auch advesytisements should be disregarded, AN ELECTION CONSPIRACY FRUSTRATED, eee The Purity of the Ballot Box Vindi- cated im New Jorsey—Sherif Rotm< hardt Not To Be Counted Out—Theo Sapreme Court Interferos=A Oloarly Defined Rule Laid Down, The subject which engrossed public attention im Jersey City during the past few days next to that of the Boston fire was the conspiracy in the Board of Oanvassers’ to count out Sherif Reinhardt and count in Witlism Van Keuren, the Hackensack Dock candidate. The Board had partly accomplished the object of the conspiracy by throwing out the returns Of a district which gave Reinhardt 206 majority, and they were about to complete their work when an injunction from the Supreme Court was served upon them by Mr. Lippincott, counsel for the Sherif. The service of the paper created @ grcat uproar, and several members of the Board called out to the clerk to continue his work despite the order of the Court. Another member insulted Judge Newkirk, one of the associate justices of the Oyer and Ter- miner, who was standing in Court at the time, and ® third vociferated, ‘What do we care about the Supreme Court *” The scene which followed this open defiance of the Supreme Court was the most disgraceful ever witnessed in the court room where the Board was tn session. Yesterday morning Mr. Leon Abbott applied be- fore the Supreme Court, in Trenton, for a writ of mandamus on behalf of John Reinhardt, Sheriff of Hudson county, to compel the Board of Canvassera of that county to receive the returns of the Sixt recinct, Second Assembly district; First Binot, Fith Assembly district, aud fourth ward, city of Hoboken, in all of which places Reinhardt had majorities for the office of Sherif of Hudson county, and ior which he was @ candi- date, The Board of Gounty Cauvassers refusedsto recelve the returns of the ward aforesaid on the grounds that there was informality in the manner in which the election was Conducted, and that the returns from the otuer preciucts were not Rovere in a proper form. ir. Abbott, in the course of his argument, said that such @ case a3 this Was never presented before im this Court, and never will again if the Court inter- pose its elie arm snd stop such stupendous and Outrageous attempts at iraud. He sald the Board of County Canvassers assumed to. de- cide the election out of matters ent outside thei legal line of duties, by casung out votes cast. They did not reject the votes of any ae nore ae pene ae ee jority, althoug! formalities of @ more ser! Harsoter were discovered in these districts than in those which they had decided to reject. This he contended was evidence of a deep design, One of the Board of County Canvassers (Frauk B, Wood) it was shown by afidavit, solicited a bribe aud wanted the Sheriff to come down, 80 that Rein- hardt would not be counted out, And it was also alleged that a secret consuita- tion was _— heid one of the back ih in rooms adjoining the County Clerk's oilice, betweea Sate caine Frank B, Wood and the County Clerk, for the purpose of concocting schemes to defraud Reinhardt out of the ottice of Sherif. After a very able argument Mr. Abbott concluded by asking the Court to grant a peremptory Mandamus and show these Hudson county can- vassers that their arbitrary acts have not te sanc- th the law, and that their attempt to interlere wih be purity of the ballot. box is strongly com. demnéd. ~~ = Se eg Maat GE id Mr. Linn, of Jersey City, counsel for defendants, stated that the cea’ ould an Sak ty pean: fey. ; that, inasmuch as the defenda " aot Baaa pibved to have refused to perform specific act jat they were not guilty of aay ence in the dischi of their duties; that thoy assembled together as a legally authorized body, and had not concluded their labors prior to the application for mandamus in this case. He said that ton) ed te totes as Lesa pine} ‘he el for the relator alleges atten : y ue oe the members of Said aid of Uail- vassers. Under ineae olranwpstances he asked that the application for mandamus be digmisged. ‘After a short-consuitation by tle Court Chiet Justice Beaseley decided that it was thé pneni- mous opinion of the Court that @ man vita should be granted flied aun the Board of Cuil- vassers to receive the votes in the disputed dis- tricts and abandon the erroncous principle of going outside the returns, which they have no right to do THE NATIONAL ( CENTENNIAL * The Central Committee Calling Upon the Country for Subscriptions, PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 12, 1872. The Centennial Commission has issued an address to the people of the United States, signed by Presi- dent Joseph R. Hawley, for subscriptions to the fund of $10,000,000 required to make the Centennial such @ success as the patriotism and pride of every American demands. The Commission looks to the unfailing patriotism of the people of every section to see that each contributes ita are of the expenses and receives ite are of the benelits of an enterprise in which all are so deeply interested. It would fur- ther earnestly urge the formation in each State and Territory of centennial organizations, which shall in time see that county associations are formed, so that when the nations are gathered together in 1876 each Commonwealth can view with pride the contributions she has made to the nationalglory. Confidently relying on the zeal and patriotism ever displayed by our people in every national undertaking, we pledge and prophesy that the centennial celebration will worthily show how greatness, wealth and intelligence can be fostered by such institutions as those which have for one hundred years blessed the people of the United States. THE LAW OF REVOLUTION. Mr. John Stuart Mill and the Internas tional. The Nottingham branch of the Workingmen’s International Association has recently published a pamphiet entitied “Ihe Law of the Revolution,” embodying its political programme. A copy hav- ing been forwarded to Mr. J. S, Mill, he has ac- knowledged the receipt in tie following letter to the secretary of the society :— AVIGNON, Oct. 14, 1872, » DEAR Sir—I have to ag ie (4 your letter of Eg ou 27, and to Cais thror you my thanks to the Nottingham branch of the International Workingmen’s Association for the copies of their programine and of your able pamphiet, which they ave done me the favor to send. In the ee me of the association as set forth in the ogram find much that I warmly approve and little, if any- thing, from which I positively dissent; that, from the generality with which those principles are jaid cpp it is impossible for me to say to what exten® should concur in the practical measures neh, the association would propose in or- % 10 ng the principles into ~ operation, A remark, however, is suggested to me th of the pro- framme and of the peraphies, hic! "tehould thine it wrong to withhol What advantage is there in designating the doctrines of the lation by such a title as “The Principles of the Political and Social Revolution?” The Revolution as a name for any set of principles or opinions is not Bnglish, A revolution is a c! fe of government effected by force, whether it be by a popular revolt or by a mili- tary usurpation, and as ‘the man” in Englishalwaya means some particular man, so “the revolution’? means some particular revolution, such as the French Revolution or the English Revolution of 1688, The bole | intended to be conveyed by “the principles of the Revolution” can only be guessed at from a knowledge of French, in which language it seems to mean the political ideas of any person of democratic nen who happens to be using it. I cannot think that it is good to adopt this mode of speech from the French, It proceeds irom an infinity which has been one main cause of the miscarriages of the French nation in its pursuit of liberty and progress, that of being led away LE I ogee and treaty abstractions as if they were realities which have a will and exert active wer, Hitherto the character of English thought as been difierent; it has required propositions that express definite facts, not vague words which only seem to have @ meaning. ‘There is no real thing called “the Revolution,” nor any “princi- ples of the Revolution.”” There are maxims which ee association, in my opinion, rightly considera 0 be essential to just government, aud there is a tendency, increasing as mankind advances in in- see heere and education, towards the adoption of the doctrines of just government. These are all the facta there are in the case, and the more clearly and unambiguously these, and nothing but these, are stated, the better people will understand one another, and the more distinctly they will see what they are alge rtae, about, and what they are avowed to prove. When, instead of Vy fee of the French es Tange themselves under banners as friends and enemies of “the Revolution,” the only important estion which is just and usefut is Kept out of sight, and measures are judged, not by their real worth, but by the Sah 7 they seem to bear to an irrelevant abstract. The otherwise very salutary intercourse which has grown up of late years between portions of the English and Frenoh worming classes will be dearly ern for if it causes the advanced politicians of this country to abandon one of the best characteristics of the English mind, and replace it by one of the worst of the French. I cannot conclude without expressin, the great pleasure with which I have seen the ful and thoroughgoing recognition by your body of the claim of women to equal rights ii every respect with men, and of minorities, Ps apts a to their numbers, with majorities; and its advocacy of the federal principal for the security of this last. AS @ further means to the same end, pro- moting at the same time other ends not less vald- able, I would invite the attention of your associa- ee Maprovemcat of “proportional Eepreseater D, am, dear air. yours very ely, ‘. 8, MILL.