The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-04-08
THE GOLDEN RULE VIOLATED Y
THE GOLDEN HOG.


Russell Sage, very rich man Of New
York city. when confronted in his office
by the homieidal crank Norcross, Per.
csived his danger and quickly pushed .
young man named Laidlaw between him
and Norcross. When Norcross exploded
his bomb Sage. by the intsrposition Of
Laidiav's body. escaped with slight
injury, while Laidlaw WAS 80 fright
fully injured that he 10 physical wreck
for the rest Of his life. Laidiaw sued Sage
for damages. and Sage's counsel pleaded
in reply that Gage did nothing moro than
any man from the instinct of self preserva-
ton would have done. and that Laidlaw
would have been hurt just - badly by the
explosion /; Sage had not caught him by
the shoulder and used his body a. shield
for his own. At the first trial the court
sustained Sage's plea, but the superior
cour, reversed this decision and at the Sec
ond trial the jury awarded Laidlav 81. 900
damages. The counsel for Laidlaw. the
celebrated Joseph II. Chosre, referring TO
the absence Of serious wounds on Mr..
Sage's body. concluded with this sentence:
"Sage's body was protected from the mis-
siies which penetrated and spoiled the
body OF Laidlaw."
Mr.. Choste concluded by saying:
"Put yourself In his place. What would
yea do If an innocent young man had
been manned and physically ruined for.
life by such an occurrence while in your
offsce At your invitation and on your busi-
ness9 What would yon do" repeated M.
Choate. directly addressing Juror No. Z.
Would Won not rather have sent him
handsome check than suriiiy retire be-
hind your counsel with all yoar millions?
The plaintiffs heart and lungs are i'm
paired In capacity ope-haif, bu. We have
DIR. Munn's testimony that Mr.. Sage's
heart ~ all right and accessible in It's ac-
cGstomed place, II IL Is accessible at all. !"
The judge, in his charge. said that Sage
IL charged with wrongful trespass upon
tho person of plaintiff by which plaintiff
was put in peril and injury. Defendant
holds ihas he acted In a manner which was
justified by the impulse of nature for SELF
preservation" The judge further told the
Jury To bear in mind that Laidlaw knew
Of no danger. aud that Sage did have a
knowledge of the danger existing. The
burden Of proof. If the jury believed the
story told by plaintiff. was cast on the de.
fendan, to show that plaintiff would have
been equally injured without the act OF
defendant complained of. The court in
ssructei that this was no, case fer punt
tive damages, bat that the plaintiff was
entiIlsi TO ample compensation. Ii at all
entitled. for physical suffering. mental
| anguish and impairment of capacity for
labor.
The argument OF Mr.. Choste. in our
Judgment. was fair: the charge of the
court was sound and the verdict Of the
jury just. saving tina, the jury ought TO
have found Tor the full amount claimed
s50.Ooo by the admission of sase's eoun-
Sc. he did seire Laidiav and use hi. hos;v
| AS = human shield and escaped injury.
while his human shield" is physical
wreck fer life. Let Us grant for the SAKE
Of argument thai Ssge's impulse. know
| ing danger that laidlaw did net suspect.
Was . natural but entirely selfish desire TO
save his own life At the expense of an In.
nocent party. nevertheless Sage is bound
BY every code Of justice and humanity to
make compensation 20 lssdlaw. sage i.
worth millions; he saved his owa life
probably at the cost Of this young mans
health and happiness Cor the res. of hi.
days, and yet he has had The msaaness 70
20 into eears aud try ard escape payment
81 compensation through mere legal
technical defense Uader the Golden
Rule, which Mr.. Chosis ei,ea. sas tvs:
isapa.ss cf . just man. who in a
moment of selfish desire 90 save his
own life at the expense Of Al Innocent
fellow creatures safety. had saved his own
| skin n $ noa-heEose manner. woaso have
/ been - have Voluntarily saken care Of his
/ victim I'll the days % bis life. lie va.
amply ahs - do 50, for he 10 worth nii-
itoas, and yet this mesa-sesri,ed million
/ airs has forced his poor, MANNED victim 10
drag him into eoars and ask a iary for
| compensation.
Ne wonasv NF, Cheste scored Sage with
I eat mercy Re Is brute: 10 Is exeasshls
iaE ss.asa.y yielding W tae impulse - gss