Newspapers / The Kings Mountain Herald … / Aug. 2, 1977, edition 1 / Page 2
Part of The Kings Mountain Herald (Kings Mountain, N.C.) / About this page
This page has errors
The date, title, or page description is wrong
This page has harmful content
This page contains sensitive or offensive material
Page 2-MIRROR-HERALD-Tue8(lay, August 2, 1077 Declaration wasnh signed on 4th,..,, f { < ■' / w / Most people believe that the Declaration of Independence was signed <ai July 4, 1776. It wasn’t. The Declaration was adopted on July 4, but the original copy - on paper - bore only two signatures, those of John Hancock, as president of Congress, and Charles Thomson, as secretary. The permanent copy, the one with which we are all familiar, engrossed with perfect lettering on pcu-chment, took nearly a month to prepare. It was not until August 2 that William Hooper, J(^ Penn and Joseph Hewes si^ed the Declaration u delegates fran North Carolina, along with the other signers. One day eariler, on August 1,1776, the Declaration had teen read aloud for the first time In eastern North Carolina, by Cornelius Harnett from the courthouse steps In Halifax. And at about that same time. In the Waxhaw settlement of Mecklenburg County, a skinny, teen- aged youth named Andrew Jackson received his first public notice when he was jhosen to stand cn a chair and perform the same task tor the people of GD 9MITH hls area. Most people today are equally unaware that the full rooter of flfty-slx names were not all affixed to the Declaration In one grand moment of ceremony — as Is so often portrayed. Signatures were added for months after the August second signing, and the final name — that of Thomas McKean of Delaware — was not added until 1788! Congress was a highly revolving body, and some representatives who had Good news^ carpoolers There's good news for carpoolers In the form of new money-saving In surance rates. The new rates, based on lower ex posure of the Insured automobile, went Into effect earlier this month and ap plies to carpoolers who use their csir for the work trip not more than two days per week or not more than two weeks per five week period. Normally Insurance rates are based upon work trip distance (greater or lesser 10 ntlles) and vary by regions In the State An automobile Is classified lA If It Is not used for the work trip, IB If used for a work trip less than 10 miles, and 1C If used for a work trip 10 miles or more. The new rates have the fcdlowlng effect: carpoolers classified 1C will be reclassified IB, and those classified IB reclassified lA. Caipoolers Interested In receiving the reduced rates must contact their In surance Office and complete a "Carpool Certification” form which certifies that the Insured meets the auto usage requirements listed above. The new rate policy will result In an Insurance cost savings to csirpoolers. The amount of savings will vary across the State by territories. In the case where one driver accepts total driving responsibility for the carpool, that driver Is not eligible for the rate reduction. However, the Individual carpool nders are eligible for lA classi fication because they are not using their cars for the work trip. Their savings could be passed along to the driver In the form of higher compensation for the Insurance rates diat the driver Is paying. Alice Garland, State Carpool Coor dinator for the North Carolina Depart ment of Transportatlai said, "This new possibility for saving money by car pooling, combined with the other cost- sharing features of carpooling, should persuade still more North Carolinians to ‘Pool It’.” voted for Independence In July were not members when the Declaration was signed, having been replaced. Several signatures were of men who had not actually voted for freedom. All risked their “lives, fortunes and sacred honor” equally, however, for hanging awaited them ail If the rebellion failed. Andrew Johnson, the North Carolina - bom 17th President of the United States, remains the "Comeback Champion” of American politics. He died at his home In Carter County. Tennessee, on July 81,1876, seven years after he had escaped Impeachment by a one-vote margin. Regarded as a failure by most of the North for his struggles with a radical Congress over Reconstruction, yet hated by the South as a turncoat, Jcdinson had returned to his adopted State at the end of his one dlaasterous term In office. Always a fighter, however, Johnson had refused to give up. Only a few months before his death he wiui reelected by Tennessee to his old seat In the U. S. Senate, the only ex-Presldent In history to serve In that office.. No political career In our history has seen greater success or failure than Andrew Johnson’s. Bom In extreme poverty. Illiterate until fully grown, once even a wanted man with a price on his head, he worked his way up through Tennessee politics to the U. S. Senate. His choice as Lincoln’s Vice Presidential candidate — and sub sequent accession to the Presidency — had been totally unexpected. His post- impeachment election to the Senate, and his triumphant, tearful readmlaslon to that body remains one of the emotional highlights of American history. Historians today regard Johnson’s accomplishments In a much brighter light than did his contemporaries, and consider his Impeachment trial to have been politically motivated. R€hDGR Dlt^LOGUe Politicar rhetoric misleads Tar Heel people T'.'JT.) mi To the editor. With reference to a letter from In surance Commissioner John Ingram In your newspaper, I feel that political rhetoric Is once again being used to mislead the citizens of North Carolina. The law recently passed by the (General Assembly on private passenger Morgan^s head is in sand To the editor. Knowledge being the route to liberty (opportunity), my first Inclination Is to write about the principle which, when Identified and spiled, will produce the desired result. Because each of us Americans volunteer for citizenship In our Republic by remaining In the United States after our 18th birthday, we thereby accept the Inherent responsibilities. Sustaining our Republic by standing eyeball to ayeball with those who would destroy us Is the function of our Armed Forces and the responsibility of each of us Americans. By voting to deny the cltlsenshlp of those of us so-called double-dippers who sustain our Republic by serving In our Armed Forces, Senator Robert Morgan has provided ample proof that his noodle-head Is firmly embedded In the sand. Thus each req>onBlble cltlsen of North Carolina will avail themselvea of this opportunity to deliver the swift kicks which Senator Morgan’s posture demands... until his head Is adequately adjusted, or, he removes himself from the state that was "first In freedom.” HUGH D. DUDLEY 1000 Martlndale Dr. FayettevUle, N. C. automobile, homeowners and woricers cmnpensatlon Insurance does not "allow rate hikes to go Into effect before they cue cq>proved by your insurance com missioner . . ." It does, however, allow rate Increcmes or decreases which an contested by the Commissioner to be Implemented during Judicial review, on appeal by the Insurance companies or the Rating Bureau. This Is a subtle, but distinct difference which the Com missioner chooees to Ignore and one that will not penalize Insurance companies or Insurance consumers because of Inaction or delays by the Department of Insurance. The law requires the filing of rate changes with the Commissioner for his review and approval. This has not changed. However, under the new law, the Commlsslaner Is required to act upon these filings within a 90 day period ... something he has not chosen to do In the past. His unwillingness to act was one of the reasons used by the General Assembly and the courts In Justifying changes In the law. The Commissioner charges that territorial rating will mean higher rates for citizens In some areas. That Is true. Territorial rating also means that cltlzena In the rural areas and smaller metropolitan areas will no longer be subsidizing drivers In the areas with higher elements of risk . . . usually the larger metropolitan areas. It is a fact that the drivers In the Reinsurance Facility will pay separate rates imder the new law. However, this la not unfair as the Commissioner charges. It simply means that the drivers who are not In the Facility — which Is the majority of North Carolina drivers — will no longer be required to pay higher rates to subsidise those drivers who are not paying their fair share. The constant charges that the In surance Industry used "wall to wall” lobbyists to pass the new law In the (General Assembly are simply not true. In fact, the bill preferred by a majority of the Insurance companies was not passed. The insurance industry Is a complex system of different companies and agents writing Insurance In a multitude of ways. For the com missioner of Insurance cr anyone else to portray the Insurance business i as a single entity, out to do harm to the public. Is unfair and Irresponsible and It should be recognized as such. While the new law la not perfect, and Is not. In the opinion of most insurance companies, the test law which could have been passed for the citizens of North Carolina... It la an Improvement and a compromise which should be given a fair chance to work. The In surance industry Is already at work. Implementing the law so that service to North Carolina policyholders will be uninterrupted. It would certainly be In the test In terests cf the people If the Com missioner would lay aside his political rhetoric and join In the effort to make the new law work tor the Insurance ccxisumers In North Carolina. MICHAEL L. HERMAN Manager, Raleigh office North Carolina Insurance News Service Debunking untruths fkmSSWm e*SL*MS*TKINI SaSIWiv TOMMiiNTran, WMIM-lSSHW SASV STS WAIT ItSTIS Ckves NILL MvwWiws atna) MSMssses iienTNCAiei.iNA piattAueciATiOM Th* Mlrrar-NcriM S kv e«A«f«t IWIMMits Okmsaiv, I. 0. Dr—nr >B, KHws MwiIMt, N. C., MM. SmImm am MMrlAl ANklA art ItCSIM At NA I—w VlAWWAAt A«A. —AM ?M- TAM. lACAM ClAAS —AAA|A —M AA KIASI AAA—IAW. N. C. Iktf W AA— M AAAIA. lAiAcrtsI*— rAWA: MJI Many kiMAta. IA.W — AwaMiAi M.M yaartr —twA- maaa. M AS) mrnmm umana riAa Aar iMm m—ma To the editor. An Item on the new Insurance law appeared In your newspaper and several others. In fairness to your readers, I would appreciate you printing a response. The recent “Item” cn the new In surance law appears to be an editorial written by the Department of In surance, but whatever Its origin It put forth some untruths which need to be refuted. The new Insurance law does not ,change the procedure for appeals of decisions by the Conunlssloner of In surance, including his orders rejecting rate Increases. Under the new law. If the companies or bureaus wish to continue to collect Increases after a rejection order, they must appeal the Com- mlsokmer’s order to court. That’s the same procedure as now. Ttue, they can continue to > collect It. However, If the companies or bureaus can not prove the appropriateness of the rata Increass, th^ must refund the portion of the Increase they can not Justify. The ap peals procedure Is the same as now. The oompanlas and bureaus must take the Oommlsslonsr to court, not the other way around as he has led people to believe. Ths only dlfterenos la that If they prove ths need for Increases, they gat to keep the money Involved. The refund protects ths policyholders U the oompanlea and bureaus can’t prove the need for ths rate Increase. Rate reductions also oan bo put Into effect Immediately by the companies and bureaus. This will prsvsnt the Com missioner of Insurance from blocking rate reductions, first by Inaction and than Improper action, as he did an ex tended coverage (prlmarl’v against windstorm damage) reduction which would have saved the poUeyholdsrs tlT mlUlcn over a 4-year period. You never hear the Department of Insurance mention that blocked reduction, but you may want to ask the Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court for their decisions on this case. The "Item” as It iq>peared In some pcq>erssald: "Insurance companies will be allowed to charge proportionately higher rates than now allowed on drivers In urban areas such as Charlotte, Greensboro, Raleigh, Durham, Winston-Salem and other major cities on the theory that the risk of accidents la greater In more congested areas.” The new law will not allow the use of theories, only facts. The statistics tor every rate and every classification must Justify the rate being charged. If territorial rating la used, that may mean non-urban rates will be lower than urban rates, but that will be only fair If the statlstlca Indicate a lower rate. Another untruth In the Item men tioned that "the automobile Insurance Industry . .. were preparing to seek an Immediate rate Increase of 16 percent before the new law goes Into effect.” That’s nonsense and even the Com missioner recognises It as mmaense. Under the existing law he can block any request, no matter how Justified. How was the Industry going to get an In crease by him If he didn’t want It to get by him! The fact Is that the Imlustry mads no request, but merely filed statistics with him as the new law requires It to do. A copy of the new law ■ will tear out the statements made above. If you want a copy you can obtain It from the Legislative Ser^’lees Office of the General Assembly In Raleigh. LAMAR GUNTER, Manager N. C. Insurance News Service A COOL THOUGHT Wouldn’t It be grand If we could can A frozen January day Seasoned vrith snowflakes for sununer cakei Topped with an Icy spray. Seal spears of Icicles that hang from the eavei Frozen beads from the clothes line wire, Add a tnjte of sentiment we derive From snow cream by the fire. Preserve the satisfaction of looking upon The panorama of winters deUsht With mounds of snow growing higher While snowflakes dance all night. Wouldn’t It be grsuid If we could can A frozen January day To partake of the feast In sultry July When a heat wave curts the bouquet. VIVIAN STEWART BILTCUFFE How^s this for variety? "Grand Week of Golf,” the North Carolina Apple Festival, the oldest continuous horse show In America, the National Open Crlbbage Tournament. How’s tiiat for vartetyT The above Is Just a sample of the many activities In North Carolina for the traveler during the month of August. The Grand Week of Golf will be at Plnehurst August 22-28, with the Inaugural $280,000 Colgate Hall of Fame G<df Classic leaullng the way. The tournament will be played over the famed No. 2 course August 28-28, drawing top PGA players and a star VvPlnc^urst Cbuntry Club will host a Hall of Fame Celebrity Pro-Am Tournament on Tuesday, August 28, over the challenging No. 4 layout. The pro-am will draw from leading men professionals, the top 10 players on the ladles PGA tour, members of the World Golf Hall of Fame, and celebrities from the entertainment and sports world. On Tuesday evening the Golf Hall of Fame will hold Its fourth annual In duction ceremony honoring John Ball, Jr., Herb Graff Is, Bobby Locke and Donald Ross. The regular PGA program will be played on Wednesday, August 4, on the No. 2 course. Leading money winners on the men’s tour will team with celebrities and special guests. The North Carolina Apple Festival Is August 20-September 6 at Henderson ville. Arts and crafts, apple queen pageant, kiddle parade, Apple Jack golf tournament, folk dance jamboree, and orchard tours are planned. The 84th annual Blowing Rock Charity Horse Show, the oldest continuous horse show In America, will be held August 3- 7. This show brings exhibitors and spectators from all over the southeast. Proceeds go to various charities In the Blowing Rock community. Some 260 participants are expected In Raleigh August 6-8 for the fourth annual National Open Crlbbage Tournament. Players from throughout the United States converge on the Capital City for this tournament. Mountain pickers, fiddlers, ballad singers, Julclmer players, doggers and square dancers will perform at the 60th annual Mountain Dance and Folk Festival August 8-6 In Asheville. This Is the oldest and one of the most colorful folk festivals In the United States. Morehead City will host the North Carolina Blue crao ueroy Augusi is. a crab race, fish cleaning, crab picking, and fish fry highlight acttvltlas. The Waldenslan celebration of the "Glorious Return” will be hold at Valdese August 18-14. This Is a festival of Waldenslan games, dances, music, exhibit of native crafts, cooking, and historical Items. The Shrimp Festival at Sneads Ferry Is scheduled for August 18. The Wonen’s Transnational Amateur Golf Championship Is August 18-20 at Mid Pines Club at Southern Pines. The fifth annual Fontana Mountains Arts and Crafts Show will be held August 28-27. The Transylvania County Fair is August 22-27 at Brevard. The Gorgarama Rock Swap la at Nantahala Gorge near Bryson City August 27-2S. This Is Just a sample of the actlvltlss for August In North Carolina. The tmvelsr can select a one-day event' or ona that lasts mors than a week. It’s a "grand” choice.
The Kings Mountain Herald (Kings Mountain, N.C.)
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
Aug. 2, 1977, edition 1
2
Click "Submit" to request a review of this page. NCDHC staff will check .
0 / 75