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New book links Marcus Garvey and the Gleaner
published: Sunday | August 27, 2006
Mark Beckford, Gleaner Writer
Justice delayed is justice denied. This is how Ken Jones describes his new book Justice Delayed, which chronicles the civil suit involving Marcus Garvey and the defence of him by Lewis Ashenheim, former chairman of The Gleaner Company.
In a presentation to Oliver Clarke, chairman and managing director of The Gleaner Company at the company's North Street Offices, Jones said the book was a continuation of his effort to share with the public, the story of Marcus Garvey. The book, which was funded by The Gleaner and the CHASE Fund, was a special initiative undertaken by him at the request of Richard Ashenheim, the grandson of Lewis Ashenheim.
Garvey sued
The story tells of the case of George Osbourne Marke vs. Marcus Garvey and the United Negro Improvement Association (UNIA),tried in Jamaica in 1929. George Marke, a former high-ranking officer of the UNIA had sued Garvey and the UNIA for monies owing to him. He had first sued Garvey and the UNIA of America but due to their inability to pay, the case was transferred to the UNIA in Jamaica. In the Supreme Court of Jamaica, Chief Justice Fiennes Barrett Lennard ruled against Garvey and ordered that all his goods and assets be seized.
Lewis Ashenheim, a noted attorney of the day, voluntarily intervened by way of action in the Court of Appeal, and won the case. Ashenheim who was chairman of The Gleaner between 1909-1941 was disturbed by the ruling of the case despite evidence absolving Garvey of guilt. "It was at that time Lewis Ashenheim, who was chairman of the board of The Gleaner and a well-known attorney, decided that this was not fair. He appealed the case on Garvey's behalf and won the appeal but by that time all his things had been sold," related Jones.
No bad blood
He said that the gesture by Ashenheim dispelled many rumours at the time that there was bad blood between The Gleaner and Garvey who people thought disliked The Gleaner due to his criticisms of some of its writers. Incidentally, Jones said that Garvey admired The Gleaner and in a statement said: "I want to assure you that The Gleaner's management to me is a wonderful object lesson to Jamaican businessmen. The paper, as an institution is a credit to the island and would be to big business anywhere. Personally, I have the highest regard for the management of The Gleaner. I have always stated to my friends and others that it reflects wonderful ability in producing results. The management of The Gleaner and the staff, for the last 30 years at least, have done wonderful work for Jamaica. I have the best of feeling toward The Gleaner."
While winning the case, Jones said that the ruling had done irrevocable damage to Garvey's financial standing and contributed to his economic downfall and subsequent exile to England. Therefore, while gaining justice, it had a lasting effect on Garvey. Jones believes that this particular chapter of Garvey's life is a message, which can be conceptualised and applied to modern Jamaica. "The message of the book is relevant today, because the title of the book is Justice Delayed, and the statement is 'justice delayed is justice denied', and that is happening in a lot of instances today in Jamaica."
And Jones hopes that the book will clarify in people's minds what led to Garvey's migration to England and stimulate reflection on the premise that what happened to our first National Hero is still occurring today. "This book will show what was happening in those days ands we will see that it is still happening. The justice system is under question today and I think the book is relevant in that aspect."
Jones is also calling on the policymakers in Jamaica to introduce more of Garvey into the classrooms, as his philosophy of self-reliance and self-belief will help to mould youngsters, transforming them and Jamaica into further greatness.
