The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1879-11-11
Damages for Death or Injuries.
From the st. Louis Republican.

The Southern Lao Reuie1. ST. Louis
periodical. is rapidly acquiring an assured
and influential position from the ability
evinced in its discussions of legal points
and principles. In many instances the
articles published relate to subjects of
public as we'll as professional interest and
present clear and concise information of
much practical value to the general
reader. OF this character are two arti-
cles in recent numbers by Frank w. Pee
bles of the st. Louis bar, the subjects
being "Death by Wrongful Act" and
Damages for Injuries to Passengers"
| The style and treatment ere simple and
forcible. free from RESPONSIVENESS. and the
statement of principles land citation of
cases accurate and full. In other words,
the essays possess the characteristics
which are essential 10 order to give real
merit to legal writings. The increase 10
the means of transportation, the wonder
| full development Of travel and of business
and social relationships give much pubic
| importance to the subjects discussed.
Nearly all actions for damages of the kind
suggested arise out of the incidents OF
traffic and travel, aud public carriers and
EMPLOYERS and employed and, indeed, all
citizens are interested in knowing the
principles of law governing them. In
reference to death by the wrongful act OF
another it is pretty we'll established that
the common law gave no remedy IN
damages, and 10 nearly every state OF
the Union the right of action is now
defined by statute. The general basis
of these statutes is found in the Eng
lish statutes enacted thirty or forty years
ago, and amended in 1864. and known
| as Lord Campbells act. The principles
of this act are reviewed Ey Mr. PEBBLES
and also the leading features of state legis-
lation on the subjects with numerous court
decisions. It is impracticable in brief
notice to indicate the interesting points in
| this article, and it is enough to say that it
clearly aud compactly outlines the existing
law on the subject, as to limitations, the
liability of parties, pleadings, measure of
damages. Eevidence and distribution OF
| damages.
Actions for injuries to passengers are
more numerous than the class just alluded
to and are free from some of the difficulties
appertaining thereto. The aim of the law
is the recovery only of damage which is
the natural and proximate consequence
of the act complained Of" Speculation
or conjecture must not be resorted to for
the purpose of determining whether the
| injury results from the wrongful act, and
many interesting instances are given
showing the application of this principle
by the courts The cases in which exem-
plary damages may be awarded. the
| liability of carrler-corporations and other
aspects of sthe subject are carefully and
intelligently discussed. The two articles
are extremely creditable to their author
because they possess the merit of undou bt-
ed usefulness to the profession and to the
public,
la the October number of the same
review. 'The InviolabiIity of Telegram
is excelIcntly tTeatea by Mr. Henry Hitch.
cock OF St. Louis. The subject has acquir-
ed much public interest OF late, ard we
hope to notice the article at some length
| 10 subsequent oceasl0s,