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\M? s ikk I KM IH|;i I M ini Off m ilium. LAW* lly II. r. McMnMcr, Insurance toiii mi*, toiler. 11* ntl.-m- i. The t">\n of Hradtord. England, raised ft.'.o.uoo with which to build an Km halm'!' nr I'lnnihtr of Com? nor... || wc w-.uUl i all it. and the t u n authorities Invited Mr. John RsjsJtUl i a kit.it authority OS ar? chitecture and otto i forms of tine arts, but withal | char sighted phil? osopher, to como a'al tell them at a puhlic meeting what kind of a build? ing they should erect. In part. Mr. Kuskin said: MI IMd Yorkshire friends. you have .i-U. .I no down here among your hills that I might talk to you about this Kxchange you are going to bet'd. but enrnestly and seriously asking you to pardon me, I am going to do M bmg of the kind. I cannot talk, or it least can say very little, about this Kxchange. 1 must talk of quite other things, though not unwil? lingly. 1 could not deceive your par .1- ft. if .when you invited me to speak on one subject. I wilfully rpoke on an-.thcr. Hut I cannot speak, to pur? pose, of anything of which I do not care, and most simply and sorrow? fully 1 have to tell you In the outset, that I do not care about this Ex I h inge of yours." ? ? ? Now pardon me for telling you frankly, you cannot have good archi? tecture merely by asking people's ad? vice on occasion. All good architec? ture la the expression of national life and character, and it is produced *->\ 9 prevalent and eager national t iste or desire for beauty.'' ? ? ? Taste Is not only a part and an in? dex of morality; it is the only mor? ality." ? ? ? ' For 11 resolutely, people do what is right, in time they come to ilke do-, ing it. Hut they are only In a right moral state when they have come t<> like doing It. and as long as they do not like it they are still In a VtetOUl ?t?te.' "What He like determines what we are. and Is the sign of what we are; and to teach taste Is inevitably to form character. As I was thinking over this. In walking up Fleet Street the oth.-r day. tnv eye caught the ti? tle of a book open In a bookseller's window It was "on the necessity Of the diffusion of ta^te among all classes.' \h ' thought I to my* If* my clas.-ufi .ng friend, when you h i\ diffused y <ur taste where will your classes be? The man I ho llke.^ what you like b. 'ongn to the same class as you. I think. " So onoUS .Mr. Ruskl*. M w t 'u sj] those words. Row very true. ???>(?? chilly* nr.* the l ist words quoted. In this gr< it Kcpnt ! where th* individual li\?s the plans on which hs stands and the elass to which be bf longs. I make r.o xpolog\ t i quoting "U such length from Mr. }. hin for b !;.??? .i I w b t I . 'r >? t,u !i b? tier than I can say |1 that ! feel M If 1 Should ll.'W < ? ; ? i'-d eontent . tj ee!f by saying that Mr. Umdcin has f..r t!?r "" ?et nt nt and itrlot But of BnUdlng Laws." Fi on '. )? ' id i I wm is n nd ? the ground nf f.?- ts Til K Fl I?' i i.' '.?>. Tb- ? IttfUS of tav.hb- \ ila- i in the eflll ?? of the Comptroller General of ? \"h Carolina show th:it the wa* Inerei s? <l in i ? ? ? ? about is.otio.ouof?. in that same . e;%r I there w ig > anted ?'p bv Are, pmi ert> t.. tie i iiss el about M.&ee ooo. Tb?nk of It, my friends! In i year the St it. ehre i up four steps out of the well ??! noverty. and then, d< to bad buildir . vi oi I ? /are to pun* i?b .ir-on or lo hold acco ntaide :h?.x.- t?y S'heet < ireel sness the p."p ??rty ??f other.*, has beer* d< ::???>.-d. W? ??urn up SSM of the geeM We hear with tio?r? Ic^o Int rest that tie f.fj loi?s In Furope h ibottt 33 rents pet capita, and n our own state, on the earns hesftn Including th*? gent of fire extinguishment, it |S about (.', v;\ Uns as as much, Ws en? cum? SSSfgnttft I by s.tying that IN. eon-* dittons ar?? d'ff. pent, Yes. conditions ?re different There, there b a elear *?r and bctv r conception ol human llf.? and the purpo.-e of human 1?**? ? A fuller ppneiation that When hU? man cncrg> <rol human bfulns an spent In prodm-ing wealth that it R sit sjsjnlsjnl Ond and i ata njsalnet burn inlty te SjOfnaM that wealth t ? ? . de-tr??y d in i tw inking. 11? I iy. nhnsnefully, by the nogrlget.f a builder, the sareleeaness ?f ? ehfatr* ??tie naaehef ei resets other Indifferent p."-n??n. i hues iri mind lea lovely bom. with IbiWeis and I.I;? and mUBte and nil the enmforts and ? nnvenb n ? * ib <i ???? la injnlts fur happiness >?. t pssk e. <b MfSjyed hi i few boor by ?h?? nafjUSaSUM Of i woman burmn : trash on ? windy day, I has*' In mind I sphTidi l BnllOSja hnlMlUg . n ? u d by the contributions of thou? sand** of self dsnylnsj people, fully sssjtfjued with all thlnarv noadssl i?? make m??r?? refined and in'eiil*. nl humir. d-? of irirN ? a? h rear, burned to the ground In night, due to the negligence tithe? of a careloai or In? competent electrician or of an i?r norant servant with greasy rag.-, ?pontaneoui combuatlon And what 11 done about it? Those who have had their homea deetroyed lake lodg mg in looma, and either make a near si.nt, or, thinking, "what'l the us?'.' kc:\. up the struggle to have a h ?Iii , which would he the joy of themselves ami their children. < >r such insu:* anee m.. n? y as is dm- i< Collected Utd I nea atari Ii made, Aral what do the insurance companies dol They do not set the money from trees with which to pay the loaa, They charge I lip tie- community in general, ami i they take particular pains ?hat the j romuiunity Which had the loss, pays for it. MAX I THE CARBLKSfl RB8POX si RUB. if >ou win go to the Holy Bible, you will And that among the laws given by MOSSS to the Children Of Is? rael was one Which compelled him through whose carelessness the prop? erty of another was deetroyed by tire to pay for the loss. If you will study the conditions in Buropo, you will lind that It U because each individual is held responsible for his own careless* geaa or for conditions which caused the lire, rather than a difference In COSl of building materials that makes the great differ- nee between the lire Waste there and here. Ease of trans? portation has long since made little difference n the cost Of building ma? terial the World over. Hut It is due to such clauses in the Code Napoleon as the following that reduces the tire waate "Every person is responsible and liable for any acts of his by which any other person has or may have sustained any h?ss. damage or in? jury." "?very person is responsible and liable for any loss, damage or Injury used by his act, carelessness or negligence." "The tenant is responsible for a re on his premises unless he can prove that the lire was caused hy something beyond his control, or by some fault in building, or that S fire w as eomm inlcated by a neighboring bullding.M why should one he permitted to endanger ? whole neighborhood by a hrlok-on-edge Hue. the construction of which means thai he is ao lacking in knowledge, or In good taste, or is so miserly n to b i w illing to endan? ger not only his own but his neigh? bor's property to s,?\e i few c uts. When the people of the United states become so cultivated, so truly refined la taste, as to know thai the dollar was made for the enjoymeni of nian and not thru man was. born t<. make the dollar, building laws will I. enacted and \vill be enforced. Those who secure ih< enactment of stich laws may aooount thcms< not only as benefactor! o( manVl .1 I n( i Is kders In outture and Int ' I j "nT.ro is m of m n it. rt ? - I i in,* well qualified to do this as lh< ? lent l< m< n o| 1 he : Ith i '" r I ri ? , ha.-e to \ ? y compliments, and colve theroselvea hut moi men ' n ?v themi Ivea l etter than any on [do< . H i leave to youi ow a c ?r. . i ,. (?. ,j, termination ? >f your own i rlta or d< m rite. Rut T do *?ay I ti.it the ntemen's profession i" one I , the Boblt'Sl on earth. At the samo I t time l do say that it h m-r appr - dated aa ?? should be, i bt lleve 1 ?an t? ii you the reason why. Von will note that I need the word prnlesston as applied to ti-.' catling ? >f o fireman. The worldj esteems a I pi of < i ion higher than a trade, 'md there are 'hose who i, as to be called professional men with the vie. that t ?:iv< < them better standing. Tu me, the individual himself deter v Ines whether he Is ? professional man or a tradeaman, a profession U Ma calling in which one professes to h ive acquired some spec! >i knowledge ujed by way either of in.~truet<m,r. guiding or advlslni others, or of aerv? ng them In some art." Ho the call i |g of i tir? man may he a profession la lie used In instructing the ptl'.illc \ in the art of saving property nnd ^llves, or it may be merely a bualnesn d.He for BU much pay. I*lr*t lei me t? T1 you why I think the profession of a fireman Is not np preclnted is highly a> it should u>\ i?, dayi of old, when knlgbts wore bold and I-.irons held their sw.iy " it was tie destroyer of human life and property and nol the preserver* of It who were held In hlgheal esteem. Holdlerlna was I hi hrst. nnd for a j long time lbs only profession, Then ' the priest!.I, by threatening with !the terrors of hell, were recognised, Mini ..for I hem came the loaryers, but by sufferance only for a time, and within ihe last two hundred yearn about, the practice of medicine has been accounted among the learned professions a i other callings acquired apeclal knowledgt and used it Mln Instructing, guiding <-r advising others or ot serv? ing them In some art" they too be? came recognised as professions, But ??yen yet the pn fesslon ol the sol? dier holds first pluce In public esteem, peri ually, 1 wish there waa no Buch profession, and very many others are! of my mind, it is the only one for which pensions are provided. Bui as a in ans of showing that appreciation which I think it deserves al the band? of the public, and of bringing it with- , in the terms id* our Constitution bo j ihi.t pensions may be provided for Its members, I proposed a year ago that ttepS be taken to make the lire men of Smith Carolina a branch <?f the militia of the state. Are we never to get away from the Idea that those who art trained to cut men's throati and blow their heuds off are deserving il more at the hands uf the State than those who risk their lives that men's homes may ) e saved and women and chil? dren as well as men rescued from the flames? In all seriousness, gen- ' tlemen, I ask you which is the higher; profession? The philosophy is hei? ter than the language; you must show the people what you are in or? der that they may appreciate you. In Tram f. the Fire Department is a regular branch of the army. In Her 1 in it is on a military basis. In New York City the tire department is a military organization. If your legis? lative committee Will take hold of it there will be little trouble in making it a branch of the mllltla In this state. If this be done It wi'l take on a per manent nature, and will to a consid? erable t Xtent be removed from 1c il politics, which hampers it seriously at times. Do this, gentlemen, and I believe a new spirit of fellowship will be awakened which will make the firemen of south Carolina recog? nised SS a profession second to none in the State. Then, gentlemen, you may develop the art of tire prevention, the first step in which is the enactment and enforcement of building laws. FACTORY MUTUALS, Conditions In Europe have been cit? ed and the remarkable difference in tire lossc.? attributable to methods of tire prevention rather than lire tight in;? shewn. It has been stated with reason that the answer that lower cost of wooden building material is not fgreat enough to warrant the dif? ference In flr< waste, but that it is due to a better apprehension of th? rlghti of others, and a better appreciation of saving accumulated wealth f. :? the enjoyment of mankind, We do not need to go to Europe to learn the ease with which lire prevention may be secured, and the .luy that results from it. The late Edward Atkinson, of Boston, 1* re? ported . s having told of trying to place Insurance on a cotton mill In a prosperous stock Art Insurance com i i I ?ents, Tiie history of these mill mu iu Is leads like a novel, and the loan who really wapts t > be a professional fireman may not find more Improving reading. One will be amased to learn of the variety of improvements th mill mutuals have devised. A safe watchman's lantern wns one of the li-.-a Barn roofs have disappeared and the flat roof? have taken their place. There is no boxing about the eaves for rat nests. Punctured pipes hive been supplanted by fusible sprinkler head*. Openings between floors have been closed, Two by twelve Joists have been discarded, and 12x10 floor timbers have taken thelt places, and slow burning construc? tion Is used throughout, Volatile nth no longer cause hoi be irlngs and greasy rags causing npnntnneotis combustion are no long? er permitted, I cannot tell you of i ho i, und i ? d i nd one ways thi ?e cotton mills mutual have devised for pre vefitlns tin -. i>.it it Is niife lo say that they have saved Ihr American peopb millions upon millions of dollars, h ..? kept many n mill corporation from bankruptcy, have Improved the health of thoj. u ho woi k In the mills not to speak of the thousand) of live tie ??. propP il.lv have BSVCd. Thoie is ie> itjuestlon ill it the sto.i lire Insurance companies roallso th< great economic saving of flro pre vention, In thai it preserves the prop erty to pas premiums annually am J iesults In benefit to the whole com imiinttv, the Insurance companies n well el ail others. These companies arc now making earnest efforts to aid in improved building, and other means of lire prevention, but with the keen competition between company and company, and between agent and agent, very little may be hoped to be accomplished from this source. it an agent complains about the hazard, ti.' Insurer Will place his insurant'' with Borne other agent less scrupu Jons, i:* one company la more careful In the selection of business than the others, tin- mass of the business will go to the less careful. Thus with the stock companies there la great ten dency simply to adjust the premiums to the losses and expenses and let the , public look to its own tiro prevention. As the cost to the public is regulat ed by the lire losses and the expense Of doing business, you gentlemen, of the South Carolina Firemen's Asso? ciation, as professional firemen, are interested in the cost of doing busi? ness to the Are insurance companies in the same manner as you are in? terested In better buildings and other means of lire prevention. With the exception of taxation and license fees, the expense of operation is fixed by the companies them? selves, though it is Influenced more or less by competition. Of course, the public pays for the expense of op? eration as well as the Are losses, and therefore We are all interested in the matter. If there be a way of reduc ii -: this expense, it should be done. I do not intend to do more than 11 ntion the matter of taxation. 1 merely wish to keep before your n Inds that whatever is collected from the insurance companies by way of license fees and taxes is collected by them from the people. There are those who believe In indirect taxa? tion, for two reasons. Ono is, that the tax gatherer is the one who gets kicked rather than the City officer. The other is thai by indirect taxation, as by taxation on insurance premiums on personal property, that class of property does not escape from the, paying of taxes which it otherwlie might do. But I am not arguing this queation. It la for each one ?f you or each of your own munlcipa i ties to decide. The rate of taxation on Insurance companies in South Carolina, Includ? ing Mate, county and municipal i cense fees and taxes is about 5 per cent. This is about 2 per cent more than the general average in the United States, The people >f South Carolina pay it in their pre I miums. in those towns where the n i nlcipal taxes are highest, extra charges are made In the premiums for it. For instance, In Charleston, there is an extra charge of 5 cents on btiei< mercantile and ? cents on con? tents; in Camden 10 cents on brick mercantile ni I 1? cents on contents; In i? ffney 10 rent - on I rich m< rc i a ? fir ? lo?s because as we i my inihien? ?? a reduction in ; he amount of the; c Itwo charges so we will reduce the premium charges. You as firemen know better than almost ans * ne else how muni to es are due t ? a carcles* agent permitting over-Insurance; yon ? rev. how many lodges Eire charged up to the public and piild for In In? surance premiums collected because <>r the Insurance of risks which should never have been insured. To the Heree and almost ruthless competition for business between agents Is due this condition. Even the naturally conscientious agent becomes callous und indifferent when he learns that If he is careful in the selection of risks, the insurance may be placed else? where. While the Insurance Com? missioner will no! hesitate to revoke the license of any ngent a*ho has been criminally negligent In the granting of Insurance, yet, conditions would be much Improved it' the nr.' Insur? ance agency could be confined to those who were not only careful and conscientious but nctunlly knew what t.- an Insurnnee policy, and were nol appointed merely because thej ton!.I collect pr. miums or < ontrolb -l this or that line of risks, Ati. r a great deal of thought on the subject ib.' plan whieh I bring In your consideration Is one which l hclloN ?? w 'il have mo i Im m In lal re suits, ond will tend to correct tin , v ||g mentioned. i.< I me s.iv again it [3 a plan whereby the amount " Ihr? Income from taxation of lire In Ruranca companh may be entirelj in the -I* termination <?] the iiuinicl ?allty. Suppose for Instance, Char? leston wishes its income fr. . fire In? surance companies to b $?ij,o00. i'ii'l are, say 15 tir<- insurance agen i?s in Charlestoni The plan pro? posed is that Charleston charge an in? itial agency license of say .*l''hi for the agency, regardless <?r m? number of i ompanics represented in the agency or the Income ?.f the office, leasing it to tin- agency t?? pro rate this among the companies in the agency. Then let the additional li? cense fee on a percentage basis lie fixed on the amount of premiums col? lected, the returns to be made semi annually. ?>r as tin- municipality de? termined, a bond might be required to secure the accounting and the pay? ment id" this additional license fee. or the companies made individually lia? ble. The bond would be preferable as tending to exclude Irresponsible agencies. The Initial charge and the additional license fee would produce the amount Charleston felt she should have from the tire insurance compa? nies. <>r take Columbia: Suppose that City wished to collect say 16,000 from lire Insurance companies. If it would charge an initial fee of $100 for each agency regardless of the number of companies represented or the amount of premiums collected by each, and then require the agencies to pay an additional percentage license fee. the amount of income desired from this source would ho produced. You readily see that the initial li? cense fee would tend to prevent the establishment of agencies whic h exist for a few weeks or months, and which are made up of those who have failed in other things and who wish to "try" insurance, hut who have not the faint? est conception of the responsibilities of an Insurance agent; who would not know a co-insurance clause it' it was spread out before them, ami who will readily write a $1,000 policy on a $:>00 stock of can goods, or attach a flue warranty to a risk with a. metal pipe struck through a broken window pane. Not only will such a plan confine the agency system to responsible wa ll informed agents who make writing tire insurance a life profession, there? by making over-insurance rare, and preventing the Insurance <>f danger? ous risks. By limiting the agency force to those who understood Insur? ance and expect.-d to remain in it. the field Would not be cut up and the inconu? from it so divided as to make it necessary f< r the agents to demand higher and sti'i hlghej commissions. Another most beneficial effect of such a plan would be the absolute equity of it as between company and company. The pr sent plan of mu? nicipal licensing, not only In South Carolina but In the South generally, Is wholly inequitable, prevents fair competition, permits abnormal pro ? ! lest? Hi. IW municipality practically all ti.- pre miutrs collected by them In that ; for the privilege of doing business th< re. There is a I DO per cent, ex? pense rate for municipal licenses. Li I costs seven others about l '.< p.-r cent. I of their premium collections; forly I three others paid 7.5 per cent.; twen? ty paid about ,; per cent; and four paid i." per cent, of their premium collections for ?< license to do business in Charleston. The rate of Insurance ? i> prohahl} lixed so that the forty three can make money in Charleston; the first named two and seven lost money; the last named twenty and four made a great deal more money ? ban tin- forty-three did. Of eighty companies reporting on their business in Columbia, it ? ?>st four ol them 80 per cent of tin >lr pre? mium receipts t?> gel municipal li? censes; it cost ten others per cent.; e ight othe rs per cent., thlrty-om paid 2.25 per cent of the premium collections; nine paid _' per cent.; I. paid 1.9 per cent., and ein?' paid l.< p. r cent Thi rates are probably p\ ? d s,. that the thlrty-onc can make money, The- nrst named four am ten .t?iuiit lost money, and th< last nauteil IT :ind on. trade 'nor< than it fair rate oj protlt, Nou Bee the present system hear unfairly on the now. company ju^ coming In, or the small companj jus starting, whereas it be .< i - the large companies with e?l Incomes, \s professional llremei interested |n correct Ins, ibis untowari condition. Now just a few cl -sing words. Wo have so? n that fire insurance Is mere? ly a tax on all property insured, and is collected for the purpose of paying" the loaaea t?? those whose property bums. Everyone, therefore, is inter eeted in preventing any one stss'l property from burning, for it must be paid for. Every one is interested in reducing the lire loss, and also the expense i f ??< ndudng the lire insur? ant comj^nles, it must be apparent thi I i \ rth ng that adds to he ex pense will lind its way into the pre? mium charge. While 1 think that it is worth the money, and |g an excellent thing, yet there is no question in my mind that the companies put on the extra charges last year for defective Hues because of the fireman's fund tax. I agree that a defective Hue sh< uld be oharged for. but why was it not charged for twenty years ago? There is no doubt in my mind that the extra charges, which are now be? ing put on tenant dwellings and on all furniture Is largely because of the increased commissions demanded by the agents last year. So it goes, and will go. But frankly, gentlement, not only will there be enacted and stric:ly en? forced building laws, but the people will become better for they will see more clearly the rights and wrongs, and the people of South Carolina will be saved hundreds of thousands, yea milions, of dollars every year if the firemen of South Carolina rise to and are accorded the position which they should occupy. For the South Carolina Firemen's Association I wi.-h increase in num? bers, increase in Influence, and above all increase in determination to do good to South Carolina. Hay fever and asthma make August a month of intense suffering to many people. Foiey's Honey and Tar Com? pound glvea prompt ease and relief, and is soothing and healing to the in? flamed membranes. Wm. II. Mere thew, x. Beasport, Me., says: "A few doses of Poley'a Honey and Tar Com? pound relieved me <?f a severe attack of asthma and leas than a lottle caused a complete cure." Refuse sub? stitutes. Blbert'a l?rug store. - Haven't \et. Sumter is looking for a manager to un her government on bUStUSSi lines. Sumter need not look beyond her town limits.?Charleston Post. The "Progressive" Party. Is the individual, man or woman, w ho uses Fob y Kidney Tills for back? ache, rheumatism, weak back? and other kidney and bladder Irregulari? ties. Fctey Kidney Fills are healing, strengthening, tonic, and quick to produce ben< ficlul results. Contain : i? hi t mful dru iSa 11 ur sold it. balk, put up In two sizes In sealed bottles. The genuine in a yellow package, sibert's t>rug Store. I \v?t , vei v state in tl e Cnton sol** [ intoxication in sucn r< i:ir*i a.*- ?quio i is \ \. .-. Jones, of the Lee Pharmacy. Chico. Cnl., who h.i^ handled Fotey & Co.'s med feine a for many years, says: ? J consider thai F ?!? y's Honey and Tar Compound has no equal, and la the one cough medicine I c.-wi recom? mend as com lining n<? narcotics ee ??ther harmful |?ro|M rtlea." The gen? uine In a yellow pa< kage. Sib tFs l >rug Store. ??;? course advertising pave?-en> cei?t the kind that gooth Carolina is getting now, (*reen%*ille N'. ws. Robert w. Ilerter, l*awrence%'ille. Mo., who had l?een bothered with kidney trouble foi I . <> years, says: "1 tried three o : ? kinds of kidney pills but a*Ith ? 'ellef. My neighbor told me to us< ?;. y Kidney Fills, l took three bott - . f them, and got i permanent cure. 1 recommend them to everybody." - bert'a r>rua store. Hands wore d work Frida) cleaning up th? .t the Atlantic c.ist Line Kt < .< The looks of the place were much Improved by tu-* work willed Station Master Itostlck w as ha\ ing done. Im. < . Ii I:: If o. ? >rth, I 'enlist, 1 9 IIa d\\ in S> Rochester, S V.. sa>s Fo? il \ Kalle s F:!l> gave hittt fmmedInto relief nil stre??ifthened him wonder tull> "I have . n l?oth< r .1 with weak kidiie> and Idadder trouble .i ml sun. i' <l " u? h pa in. Fole> Ki.l ii? J Fill- gave mi lime diate relief tind *trengthem w.aal? rfully. I ;iin pleased to rc? mmond their use." Siberi a i true Ston .