The New York herald., 1879-12-14
STANDARD OIL COMPANY.

CRIMINAL SUIT OF OIL PRODUCERS AND RE-
fINERs OF PENNSYLVANIA AGAINST THE AL
LEGED MoNopoLY-IMPoRrANT TRIAL Ex-
PEcrED AT CLARION.
BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD
PHILADELPHIA, Dec. l3. 1879.
one or the most important criminal trials that
mas been instituted in this State for many years
viii probably come up at Clarion, Clarion county.
on Monaay next. 1t is. in fact the eli
max OF the stubborn opposition begun in
the winter of 1871 by the oil producers
and iehners of Northwestern Pennsylvania against
the Southern Improvement Company, since known
as the Standard Oil Company. The great corporation
which grew out of the remarkable privileges granted
by the Legislature to an organization styled the
Southern Improvements Company has had the best of
the contest so TAR TO circumvent its influence mill
ions OF dollars wero spent in pipe lines. but
tho result proved inadequate After long prepa-
ration and the engagement Of prominent lawyers
the oil producers decided to bring criminal action
in the name OF the Commonwealth for conspiracy
AGAINST their foe. Corporations cannot DO sued
criminally. so the principal officers have been pro-
ceeded against as individuals. In this trial Thomas
A. Scott. president; Edmund Smith, George r.
Roberts and A. j. Cassatt. vice presidents have been
subp1naed by both the Commonwealth and tho
defence. Several of these officers left PHILADELPHIA
tod for Clarion. by way OF Pittsburg whore they
will join President Scott. who s now there.
WHAT THE STANDARD COMPANY CLAIM.
The Standard OH Company is represented In this
city by Counsellor James L. Worden. who has also
lett for Clarion. He stated before his depar ture.
however that the theory OF his clients that the
prosecution is instituted by rivals and opponents Of
the Standard company. IN the hope OF forcing
dlscrim,na,ng ah rltes & IN their favor and to
clared unhestatingly that the Standard off,
GERS intended to fight the matter to the
bitter end. He further claimed that the action had
been brought IN county where public sentiment
where, i'll fact. 1t will be impossible have an inn
partial jury trial. For this reason applca
supreme Court, to grant writ of certio-
rari by which the indictment could be removed
into the supreme Court There is precedent
for such action in the state reports, but Judge
Paxson. in view OF the magnitude the case did not
deem it wise to issue the writ. He, however granted
rule ON Thursday last. ut the instance Of the in
dicted officers, commanding the Commonwealth to
show cause why the case should not be so removed,
This rule will be returnable before the Supreme
Court in this city on the first Monday in January.
PROBABLE DELAY OF TRIAL.
In view OF the existence OF this rule there is doubt
assto what course the Commonwealth's counsel and
the Court in Clarion county will take on monday.
coed with the trial, the verdict might be reached
before the day fixed for the argument. There
is precedent for such action, and as
sentiment in Clarion county is said to
be strongly In favor OF the prosecution
such result may follow. The counsel for the de-
PENDANTS OF the impression. however, that dur
ing the pendcncy Of rule the trial cannot be pro-
ceeded with. OF course such statement is given as
strictly pare and without prejudice to the prose-
cuton. no Representatives Of whom can be found in
this city. have all the officers OF the Pennsyl-
vania hallway who in this city tonight, and
they and all declare that their company not IN
any way involved in the suit but that such an i'm
Its officers subpnnaod to attend rs witnesses.
Those OF the officers subp1naed, who have not
already departed for Clarion only await tho deter
minaton OF the course to be taken by the local court