Justice Deferred

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 19, 1908

We clip from the Saturday Evening Post the following item, which strikingly portrays some of the delinquencies of this generation in the matter of securing justice for the poor, oppressed, and afflicted:—

In September, 1902, a railroad employee in Michigan had both legs mangled while coupling cars. In February of the next year his attorneys commenced suit for damages.

The case was tried in October, a little over a year after the injury. The jury awarded $15,000 damages. The railroad appealed to the supreme court, which tribunal, in March, 1904, remanded the case for new trial. This new trial was held in February, 1905, and the jury gave a verdict of $20,000. Again the railroad appealed to the supreme court, which in May, 1906, again ordered a new trial. But on rehearing, the supreme court changed its mind and affirmed the judgment of the lower court. Meanwhile, the railroad had been reorganized. So, in January, 1907, it was necessary to begin suit against its bondsmen to collect the judgment. In April, 1907, the trial jury gave judgment against the bondsmen, and the defendants promptly appealed to the supreme court.

Five years and one month after the injury this judgment was affirmed by the court of last resort, and the injured man sees some ground for hoping that, after the usual argument for a rehearing and appeal to the United States Supreme Court, he may receive enough money to pay his law expenses and have a little left.

The court records of every State in the Union are actually loaded with cases just like this.

This reads very much like a fulfilment of Micah's prophecy of the time just prior to the return of our Lord. He says:—

They all lie in wait for blood; they hunt every man his brother with a net. Their hands are upon that which is evil to do it diligently; the prince asketh, and the judge is ready for a reward; and the great man, he uttereth the evil desire of his soul: thus they weave it together. . . . But as for me, I will look unto Jehovah; I will wait for the God of my salvation. Micah 7:2-7.