Carroll Hardwood Lumber Co. v. Stephenson

The decision of the Court in this case approves delay in litigation and upholds negligence in the prosecution of a suit or action. The demand of the plaintiff is stale, having been asserted by the commencement of an action more than twenty years ago. Nevertheless, the Court, by invoking what I consider to be doubtful and uncertain principles of law, holds that the plaintiff has the benefit of Code, 55-2-18.

The principle, that litigation should be ended within a reasonable time after the cause of action accrues, is virtually ageless and has been rigidly adhered to by applying statutes of…