The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-01-25
WAS ALMOST UNANIMOUS
TRUE POSITION OF THE DEMO
CRATIC PARTY.
CORPORATIONS MUST OBEY STATE COURT
full Text tf 'he Measure Presented by the
RtD)rt by the Judiciary Committee.
All Opposition Vanshes. Only -Four
Votes in NEGATIVE.
Votes in Negative.

The House yesterday by an over
whelming vote passed the Craig bill, as
amended by the committee, putting for
eign corporations upon the same footing
with local corporations.
The people of the State viii applaud
this carrying out of the Democratic
platform plank promising legislation that
will domesticate foreign corporations
Those who hoped the Democratic Legis-
lature would break faith with the peo-
pie are cOnfounded.
The bill was called up by Judge Allen.
who said il was measure to which the
Democratic party was pledged in it's
platform, and that the people were al
ready inQuiring as to why it had not been
passed.
Mr.. Craig explained how corporations
come into the State, suck from the peo-
pie their money, have the protection of
the laws and courts, and then, when
they in turn are sued for violation of
the laws, fly to the Federal courts.
Further, Mr. Craig explained the differ
ence between this bill and the one origi-
nally introduced by him, and the rea-
sons for the amendments.
THE enactment of this bill will fulfill
one of the pledges of the Democratic
platform. Its purpose is to require all
corporations doing business in this State
to become residents of this State. Cor
porations chartered by the laws of any
other State or government are nom
residents of this State. and under an
act of Congress can try in the Federal
courts all suits in which they are par
ties. where the amount involved is as
much as two thousand dollars. The
act requires the corporations named to
file in the office of the Secretary of
State a duly authenticated copy of their
charter and by-lays and provides that
ipso facto they shall become domestic
corporations. They will then no longer
have the right to remove their cases to
the Federal courts on the ground of
non-residence. The purpose of the bill
is to make those corporations that are
actual residents of our State, legal resi-
dents and subject to the same admins
tration of the law as any other citizen
of North Carolina. They are supported
by our people. protected by our law and
should be amenable to our courts.
"The rights conferred by the act OF
Congress upon foreign corporations has
atoned SuitOrs have often forced to
try their causes in distant parts OF the
State before tribunals not constituted,
according to our Democratic ideas Of
government Before these courts they
believe that iii. many instances they
cannot contend on equal terms with the
wealthy and powerful. The people have
resented actions of corporations in the
removal of causes beyond the jurisdlc-
ton of the State, and our juries have
doubtless in some cases rendered extra
VACANT verdicts. 1t was nothing but
natural
'"The bill now before the House does
injustice to no man and to no interest.
1t comes with the unanimous endorse
ment Of the judiciary Committee, ana
with the sanction of the ablest consltu-
tional lawyers of North Carolina. Inc
idea upon which the bill is framed has
been sustained by State and Federai
courts, and by the Supreme court or
the United States. Every lawyer who
has thoroughly investigated 1t has pro-
nomced it constitutional.
1T is not the intention of this law OF
this House to do injustice to any interest
in the State. The corporations have come
to the State at our invitation and when
they comply with the requirements or
this act, we will tax them as we do the
corporations chartered by North Caro-
lima and meet out to them the same JUS
tice as we do to the humblest individual.
Let the prejudices engendered by the
past be forgotten. We will require from
all submission to our jurisdiction and
guarantee to all the protection OF our
laws.
''rhis State with her great industries
interests-her destiny is now IN the
hands of the Democratic party. There
ought to be no reason for apprehension.
All will be well when even-handed JUS
tice is administered alike to the rich and
poor, to the corporation and to the in
dividual' "
Mr.. Willard. of New Hanover: what
would be the effect ON the Federal courts
if all the States had laws similar to
this?''
Mr.. Craig: "They'd 80 back to their
original business of trying moonshiners'
| suppose.
Mr.. Rountree: Don't you think bet
ter courts in the State would come
nearer accomplishing the end aimed at
than would this bill?"
Mr. Craig: "0f course we want BET
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