The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1905-12-23
DAMAGE SUIT LAWYERS.
CMemphis Commereial-Appeal)
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A philosophic member Of the legal
profession and one whose views on
men and events are usually sound
AMI well worthy of respect has re-
marked
When get rich, I viii erect a
monument to the damage-sus lawyer.
He is the peoples protector against
the strength OF monster corporations;
inadequate Of course, nevertheless he
stands as menace to all who invade
the peoples liberties.
1t Is needless to say that this com
mandatory utterance included only
such lawyers as cOnfnei themselves
to what is known as the ethical and
legitimate practice of the profession.
There was no intention of commend
rating the memory of the ambulance
chasers" nor of paying respect to the
stirrers up Of legal strife, who hunt
fees through the sacrifice of profes-
sional prObity, a nuisance to all going
concerns and usually an expensive
calamity TO deceived clients.
Damage suits legitimately given
into the hands of lawyers who are
jealous Of the honor of the profession
and who preserve It's high standing
all hazards undoubtedly have ten
dency to restrain corporations from
encroachments upon popular rights.
They also protect the peoples liber-
ties, aEl bring about that just com
pensation which increases in both
plaintiff and defendant the respect
which all should entertain for the law.
The lawyer who handles cases of this
kind, after this fashion, may well
enough be reearded as a champion Of
the people, and his type is well wortny
to receive the commemorative mOnu
ment.
But that other class, commonly
known as the shystar. whose dream
of bliss IS calamity 10 his neighbor
ana whose daily hope is a distressing
accident to his fellOwman: who fol-
lows the black plumes of tragedy with
the shark-lilze expectation of feasting
where there is pain and agony, is not
only no protection to the PEOPLE, but
is a positive menace to The popular
rights it pr5tends TO preserve.
Damage suits arc like other things
Too much familiarity breeds con-
tempt II they are brought upon
every transaction. with no regard for
law, nor respect for profit, they CON
taminate and work injury to such as
may be meritorious. They cry wolf
when there is no wolf, and the result
is the peoples rights are ieOpardized
by the falsehood, just as surely as
were the lives of the sheep IN the pas
ture.
II matters not whether this jeop-
ardy appears in a more strenuous Op-|
position ON the part of the defendants
or whether advantage is taken of that
corruption which the constant pur-
suit of illegitimate gain is sure to en-
gender. toe result is the same-the
cause Of the people is injured and
their rights curtailed
Courts, therefore, do an excellent
work in making warfare aginst law
yers of this class. They encourage
suits when there should be no suits
they stimulate anger and passion for
imaginary wrongs, and when their VIC
tins are seething with this kind of
intemperance they are adroitly led
into the crooked and criminal path
of manufacturing testimony.
To GUST from the profession the
shyster would be a blessing to the
people as well as the courts, but we
fear it is the 'iridescent dream.
Nevertheless every effort in this direc- !
ton is a good effort, and if finally the
profession succeeds in putting a grave I
stone over the shyster. we win Join
hands with the people in erecting a I
tall shaft 10 the honor Of the Iegiti- /
mate damage-suit lawyer.