Q. I ask whether there would not be less liability of fraud if the business was transacted at the home office instead of through agents? A. It is very possible.

Q. Is it not your opinion, as an insurance man? A. Well, no, I can't state that sir; I know all these gentlemen.

Q. You are aware your company interposes defenses on policies are you not? A. In some cases.

Q. You interpose the defense of fraud on the part of the policyholder in procuring the policy? A. I think there have been cases of the kind; I only know the Mutual Life regards the payment of claims as important to their interests.

Q. Your company has a great many litigated cases? A. Not a great many; no, sir.

Q. Can you give us an idea of how many there are? A. I could not; no, sir.

Q. Then how do you know there are not? A. Well, I say but few; I am not competent to testify as to that; the bureau of law would be the proper persons; that don't come under my knowledge.

Q. You don't know any thing about litigation and defenses interposed? A. I do not; I only know of them where checks are drawn for compromised claims; to have the business done at the main office would require an immense clerical force, and we can only transact the business the way we do through general agents.

Q. Are you able to answer if very many of the litigated cases arise from misrepresentation on the part of the local agents, and misrepresentation on the part of persons applying for policies? A. I cannot answer that.

No. 94.

IN ASSEMBLY,

March 28, 1877.

G. O.

LIST OF GENERAL ORDERS.

467. An act to exclude from the right of suffrage any person convicted of having received a bribe for voting.

468. An act to amend section one, chapter three hundred and sixteen, of the laws of eighteen hundred and seventy-six, entitled "An act relative to judgments entered upon forfeited recognizances in the city and county of New York."

469. An act to legalize the acts of George H. Clark, as notary public.

470. (Senate. Printed No. 171.) An act to amend chapter three hundred and seventy-nine of the laws of eighteen hundred and seventy-five, entitled "An act to define and limit the liens of contractors and others upon real estate in the city and county of New York, and to provide for the enforcement thereof." 471. (Senate. Printed No. 154.) An act in relation to the recorder's court of the city of Utica.

472. (Senate. Printed No. 119.) An act to confirm the official acts of William J. Merritt as notary public of Kings county.

473. (Senate. Printed No. 133.) An act to legalize the proceedings

of the annual town meeting of the town of Westchester, in the county of Westchester, in relation to the purchase of fire apparatus, and to provide for carrying the same into effect.

G. O.

474. An act in relation to repaving Hudson avenue, in the city of

Albany, New York.

475. An act in relation to the laying out of a public ground in the fourth ward of the city of Schenectady, and authorizing the common council to borrow money for that purpose.

476. (Senate. Printed No. 22.) An act to authorize the city of Utica to borrow money for the purpose of erecting a police stationhouse and lock-up therein, and to make necessary repairs to the city hall building.

477. An act regulating the amount of capital stock for fire and marine insurance companies.

478. An act to amend chapter four hundred and fifty-six of the laws of eighteen hundred and seventy-one, entitled "An act to amend an act entitled' An act to amend the banking laws of this state.'

999

479. An act to amend chapter two hundred and twenty-six of the laws of eighteen hundred and forty-nine, entitled "An act to enforce the responsibility of stockholders in certain banking corporations and associations, as prescribed by the constitution, and to provide for the prompt payments of demands against such corporations and associations."

480. (Senate. Printed No. 118.) An act in relation to bankers and brokers.

481. An act to extend the limits of union free school district number one of the town of Ellicott, Chautauqua county, and to authorize the board of education to employ a superintendent, and fix the time of holding their annual school meeting. 482. An act to provide for the enlargement of the school-house site of joint school district number nine of the towns of Ellery and Gerry, in the county of Chautauqua.

483. An act to authorize the appointment of commissioners to compile or prepare a series of text or school books, for use in the common schools of the state of New York, and for their publication.

484. (Senate. Printed No. 155.) An act to empower the board of education of the educational district of Seneca Falls to appoint an assessor for such district.

G. O.

485. An act to amend chapter one hundred and forty-nine of the laws of eighteen hundred and seventy-four, entitled "An act to amend the act passed April twenty-seven, eighteen hundred and seventy-two, entitled 'An act to amend chapter six hundred and fifty-seven of the laws of eighteen hundred and seventy-one,' entitled 'An act to amend the act passed February seventeen, eighteen hundred and forty-eight,' entitled 'An act to authorize the formation of corporations for manufacturing, mining, mechanical or chemical purposes,' passed April twenty, eighteen hundred and seventy-one."

486. An act to protect persons purchasing sewing machines. 487. An act to authorize railroad corporations to pay commutation money for highway labor to the commissioner of highways of

towns.

488. (Senate. Printed No. 132.) An act to amend section four of chapter five hundred and twenty-nine of the laws of eighteen hundred and seventy-one, entitled "An act to incorporate the superintendents of the fair grounds of the town of Oswegatchie, passed April fifteen, eighteen hundred and seventy-one, as amended by chapter one hundred and thirty-seven of the laws of eighteen hundred and seventy-two."

489. An act to repeal chapter two hundred and fifty of the laws of eighteen hundred and fifty-three, entitled "An act relating to incorporated banks, banking associations and individual bankers, located in the city of New York."

490. An act to authorize the trustees of the village of Skaneateles, in the county of Onondaga, and state of New York, to sell certain real estate, and to raise money by tax for building an enginehouse, and for other village purposes.

491. An act to provide for lighting the streets in the village of Perry, in the county of Wyoming, state of New York.

492. An act to authorize the village of Middletown to issue bonds. 493. An act to provide for the payment of bonds heretofore issued by the village of Middletown, in the county of Orange.