The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1892-03-03
ILLEGAL ACHIEVEMENTS.
Ohio's Supreme Court Decides Against
the Standard OIL COMPANY,


Ohio's Supreme Court Decides Against
the Standard OIL Company,
COLUMBUs, o., March 2.-The supreme
court Of Ohio, in the case of the state Of
Ohio ex rel, Attorney General Watson,
VS.. the Standard Oil company, handed
down decision of importance concern.
ing trusts. This case was instituted by
a petition in quo warranto to oust the
company from its corporate rights and
to forfeit its franchise.
The judgment of the court Gusts the
company from the right to make the
trust agreements set forth in the petition
and of the power to perform the same.
This is all the attorney general desired.
He had no animOsity toward the com.
pany, and did not desire to deprive it Of
corporate rights as enjoyed by others,
but because Of trust agreements, which
were contrary to law. Under the de.
cision the company will be allowed 10
continue corporate powers for which
Joseph K. ChOate argued in behalf of
the company.
The decision Of the supreme court sus-
tains tGn attorney generals demurrer TO
the answer Of the Standard, which set
up the defense that 'Na trust agreement
was entered into l., lldividuals and not
by the company as a corporation hold
ing franchise. While the decision
does not oust the company from its fran
chise, it prohibits it from in any way
continuing to carry out or fulfill any
provisions or agreements under trust
contracts.
The attorney general of New York
has papers ready TO file against the
Standard in that state, prepared in con-
temptation of this decision.
Ex-Attorney General Watson, who in.
stituted the quo warranto suit Just de-
cided, said in an interview. RI regard
it as the most important decision the
court has made IN twenty-five years,
and, Of course, feel very much gratified.
was upbraided by many for beginning
the fight. was told that was trying
to influence stock markets, but / said
then, and repeat it now, that it was my
opinion that the trust agreement, which
was the basis of this gigantic monopoly,
was antagOnistiC to our state COnstitu.
ton and resolved TO test it. l made
enemies, but / think also made friends,
and have the satisfaction of knowing
that did what | thought was right
Eastern capitalists said to me over year
ago that they would not invest dollar
in Ohio trust securities until decision
was rendered in this case. / never
brought into question the original char
ter Of the Standard Oil company. That
is just as legal as the incorporation Ger.
tificate of any other incorporated concern
in this state. The question brought
before the court was the agreement with
which this incorporatiOn-a perfectly
legal one under the constitution and
laws of Ohio-joined with similar con-
Germs in this and other states, entered
into a combination and pooled all their
properties i'll order to make trust of
the oil business, control all the oil out
put practically and hold the oil market
completely in their hands. The decision
is plainly drawn on that point and am
sustained in every particular. The com.
pany is ousted from operating under the
trust agreement, as we set it forth be-
fore the court. The decision arrays the
courts of Ohio against trusts.
The case was fought by the Standard
Oil company with all the legal ability to
be secured.
The case will be reported and sylla-
bus is expected from the court next
Thursday. Until then the exact grounds
of the decision cannot be known.