emphasize the proposition that a system of insurance that relieves the insurer of one half the pecuniary burden he is compelled to bear under the level premium system, is one that is worthy of fair treatment on the part of a discriminating public, and that the people cannot afford to have impeded in its usefulness by ignorance, prejudice, or moneyed monopolies.  We repeat the claim for assessment insurance that it is natural as against artificial insurance.

It is pure insurance as against insurance and banking combined.

It is within the comprehension of ordinary minds.  It is adapted to the wants of the people, because they can easily avail themselves of it, and as easily discontinue it without material or considerable loss.

It is within the reach of a much greater proportion of the people on account of its small comparative cost, and the ease with which payments can be made in small amounts.  More than sixteen hundred thousand of the citizens of this country are now availing themselves of its advantages, as against about six hundred thousand in level premium companies while the former represent more than thirty-seven hundred millions of insurance, as against about fifteen hundred millions represented by the latter.

The disbursements of assessment companies to families of deceased members reach the munificent sum of more than twenty-two millions of dollars annually.  The national organization of Mutual Benefit Assessment Associations of America is exerting a most healthful influence in elevating the standard of those companies that comprise its membership.  It embraces organizations from all of the principal States of the Union, and its influence is strongly on the side of scientific and conservative methods and practices.

To be eligible to membership, a company must have its rates of assessment graded according to one, or the combined standard mortality tables, take proper precautions in selection of risks, protect new members at any time in its history against an excessive number of assessments, either by increasing the rate of assessment with advancing years or by accumulating a fund in lieu of advancing rates, will make a full exhibit of its policy data annually to the Convention.  This standard upon its publication, compelled favorable recognition upon the part of level premium journals.

Thus assessment insurance has gradually placed itself upon a higher and more scientific basis, until it has commended itself to the most intelligent and thoughtful, and in its wonderful growth outstripped its older and less popular rival, until its obligations to the families of the insured exceed those of level premium insurance to the amount of about two thousand millions of dollars.

A Bureau of Insurance has been established under the auspices of the National Organization whose object is to gather and compile statistics relating to all phases of assessment insurance, such as the experience of companies with agents and medical examiners, the comparative cost of carrying various classes of risks and in short, everything in the practical working of the business by the companies comprising its membership, that may furnish data for a more scientific basis, and more satisfactory results in the future.