Evening star., 1886-11-06
Avoid Lawsuits.

An eminent lawyer states that the mercantile
and manufacturing communities are less given
to appeals to the law now than in former years.
1t is a tact that the number of such lawsuits
does not increase in proportion to the increase
of population. This speaks well for the good
judgment of our business men. Litigation is
an expensive method of settling business
differences.
Seldom is either party to great lawsuit sat
isfied with the result. Even to the one who OBJ
tains verdict, the long list OF expenses, vexa-
tious delays aud uncertainties more than offsets
the fruits of victory. Few men would appeal
to the law in the settlement of business dis
putes could they realize the possible delays OF
the law, the exorbitant charges of attorneys
and other expenses incidental to the successful
prosecution oi a suit.
Again, ii the merchant or manufacturer
would. before beginning a suit, pay visit to
the court house and casually eXamin ne the men
of whom the jurieS composed, he would
hesitate to submit his grievances to such
tribunal for adjustment. In every large city
there are hundreds of political strikers hangers
on, men without legitimate employ ment whose
names are placed on jury lists, who have few or
no qualifications for the place The jury system,
conducted in our cities. is failure in the
consideration and settlement OF complicated
business matters, or in the solution of difficult
mechanical problems such as freq uently arise
in the trial of certain cases.
With the average jury the true merits of a
case do not always control the verdict. Preiu-
dice, popular lawyer, an accident, confused
witness, the appearance or occupation OF the
parties to the suit politics. religion are all Incl
dental factors In shaping a verdict in the minds
OF ignorant, unframed, weak nded jurymen
Justice and equity do not always prevail in the
appeal to twelve men.
Business law suits are too frequently born of
heated passion, misunderstanding, ignorance
of all the facts or the law governing the Case
false pride In maintaining an opinion or "a threat
an Overbearlng disposition or perhaps Il disin-
cllnatlOn to look calmly at both sides of uues-
tiOn. There are cases in the lives of many men
when lawsuit cannot be avoided, but they are
few.
Fifty per cent of all disputes could better be
settled by reference 10 experts or those versed
In matters similar to those i'll dispute. Many a
suit would be dropped were tine plaintiff to
cOun: the cost at the beginning. Many a suit
would be avoided were parties In interest will
ing to weigh calmly both sides OF the question
and to do unto their fellow men as they would
be done by.
Think OF q business man, whose time is al
most Invaluable To him in his regular round of
duties, hanging around a courthouse day after
day awaiting the coming up of his case, wit
neSses under pay, costs accommodating, patience
being exhausted, and all, perhaps, tn settle the
point whether his neiShborowes him S5O, more
or less.
An appeal to the courts of law Is akin to buy.
Ing a lottery ticket, though the result is not
known SO speedily. The victims sufferings are
longer drawn out, his money is taken in smaller
but more frequent instalIments. A suit at law
destroys "A mans equilibrium, makes him nerv-
Gus, irritable, ugly, prevents him from giving
the needed thought and attention to mis- legiti-
mate business and generally ends in loss and
disappointment. The lawsuit is seldom worth
Its cost, even to- the one who obtains the ver-
diet. Avoid it whenever possible TO do so with.
out prejudice to your property or character.