The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-09-30
"PERsoNAL INJURY" LITIGATION.

The Post publishes this morning an adj
dress by Mr.. Edwin b, Parker OF the
Houston bar on personal injury litigation
In Texas" which emphasizes, as to one
character Of the litigation, the POSTS ed-
torial few days ago on the general sub
ject Of the multiplication Of damage suits
IN this state.
Mr.. Parker's paper was read before the
last meeting OF the Texas Bar association
and deals particularly with the damage
suits against railroads. The Posts COM
ment was not restricted to the anti-rail
road suits. though It suggested that such
actions comprised the bulk OF the kind OF
litigation under discussion But we had
no idea at the time the editorial was writ
ten that this branch OF the subject had
assumed such large proportions. That the
institution of these largely speculative
damage cases OF all kinds had developed
into practically a public evil. and that It
was almost monopolzing the time Of tho
courts in some counties, was shown, but
that In the anti-railroad feature of the
matter Texas was making an unapproach-
able record among the States was hardly
suspected
/ A comparatively brief summary from
Mr.. Parkers address will interest. as it
viii doubtless surprise, the public, He
says, after exhibiting carefully prepare
table:
fne total number OF miles operated by
I lines outsde Of Texas embraced in this
table aggregate 1853 miles. The total
number OF miles operated by lines IN the
/ State OF Texas, embraced In this table, ag-
I hled against these nonreXas lines for the
year 1888 aggregate 403 or In round numbers
one suit for every forty-nine miles operated.
Inc total number OF suits instituted for The
year 1879 against the Texas lines. embraced
in this table. aggregates i29, or In round
numbers one suit for every fourteen miles
operated. The total amount claimed IN all
OF the suits instituted against the uou-
Texas lines tother than the Missouri PA
clhcl during tho year 1899, aggregates $254i =
3l3. or In round numbers $3.50 per mile The
stituted against the Texas lines during the
year 1899, aggregates SIi0i,729. or in round
paid during the year 1899 by all these lon-
Texas lines aggregates slS5,4lS.69, or So 4,
per mile. The total amount paid during The
year 1899 by all the Texas lines aggregate.
$500. 1913, or ss2.oi per mile.
The Post does not indorse many sug.
eestions made by Mr.. Parker touching thG
amendment OF our laws relating TO THU
character OF litigation. but it recognizes
as must all fair-mlnded people, that some
thing ought to be done to check this ap
parently reckless and largely speculativ,
practice.
The Post would look for the reform II
a broader sense OF justice and fairness
among the people.
Legitimate corporations should be treat
ed in the matter Of litigation just as ind
vlduals are treated JlTies ought not L
mulct them In punitive damages slmpl.
because they are Corporations" tn
speculative and "shyster'' lawyer Is tn
principal factor in developing this kind 0
litigation into an evil The courts ough
TO suppress him, In all matters of thl
kind reform ought to begin. and can begin
in the court house.
The growth OF crime, OF legal abuses. Q
public nuis1nces. can be traced directly
/ IN nearly all instances, to an absence {
fearless and intelligent and impartial dis
! charge of their obligations by the court
and those Immediately subject TO the
authority