1975 FIFTH SESSION. REPORT OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL INSURANCE CONVENTION OF THE UNITED STATES, Held in the City of Detroit, September, 1874. JOHN F. TROW & SON, PRINTERS, 1875. PREFACE. It is proper to say of the following compilation that it is made up of the brief notes of the proceedings of the Convention, taken by the Secretary during its progress, and the more extended reports of journalists and newspaper correspondents who attended the Convention. No stenographer was employed, consequently the assistance rendered by these voluntary reporters has been very valuable. The Secretary is under great obligations, especially to the Detroit papers and Mr. E. A. Hewitt, of the Chronicle. Some of the speeches and papers presented appear in full, while the discussions are sufficiently reported to indicate the views of those who engaged in them. It is to be regretted that this report could not have been issued earlier. The delay is mainly chargeable to Commissioners and others who were invited to write out their remarks. Some were very tardy, while others failed to respond at all, otherwise than to excuse themselves at a late day by pleading "want of time." All this has been very annoying to the Secretary. The Convention was more fully attended than any one since the fall session of 1871, and was emphatically a working Convention. It is safe to say that the members never before so fully appreciated the importance and responsibilities attaching to their special work. And it is equally safe to say, they were never more strengthened and fully prepared for their work by the discussions and familiar interchange of views upon the great variety of topics considered, than on this occasion. These annual meetings have a tendency to promote inter-state comity, by removing frictions naturally arising under diverse legislative enactments, and it is hoped will eventually result in the repeal of such conflicting laws as are obnoxious to the great interests of Insurance. In the Appendix may be found a complete reproduction of the admirable papers upon taxation and the discussions thereon, |