The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-02-19
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 There is a bill before the LAgisla- ture which seeks virtually to destroy foreign corporations if they appeal to q Federal court There is nothing in the Democratic platform requiring the ex- clusion of foreign corporations from the state. if they avail them, lives of their rights under the constitution ani laws of the United States in their litigation. The people do not expect such legislation. The bill is evidently aimed at the railroads. and ia aid of damage suits. The Legislature of Ala bama has no such power. All tnA is'l- roads are engaged in interstate com merce. and are post roads af the urit- ed States for the carriage of malls, troops and other government proper ty.
 The older Montgomerians recoliect the excitement of the struggle be- tween the Pensacola Telegraph Com pany and the Western Union Tele- graph Company, when the latter com pany sought to force an entrance into Pensacola. The State of Florida had given a monopoly to the Pensasoio Telegraph Company. The case went to the Supreme Court. That court decid- ed the state of Florida had no rigas to keep the Western Union out. Those who want to be informed on the sub feet can find the ease in the Supreme Court Library by referring to rage one of the seth United States su- preme Court reports. In the Supreme Court it was argued that the States could exclude these corporation just as they did insuranee companies, but that court said: The language of the grant makes no reference to the h. strumentalities by which commerce may be carried on. It is general, and in- cludes alike commerce by individuals, partnerships. associations and eorpai- ations, The defect of the argument lies in the ehayacter ef thsir tInsuf- anee companies) business Issuing 8 policy of insurance is not a transac- ton of eemmereel such contracts (policies of insurance,( are not inter state transactions, though the parties are domiciied In different states
 The spirit of the law looks bad to outsiders It indicates 6 spirit of hos tility to the jaws of our common coun- try. Many persons will be detcrrcd from coming to our state when such a spirit Is manifested by its legisla- ton, The proposed act will only bring about g good deal more litigation. and cripple eur development. There gre practical difficulties besides. If as the advocates of the bill contend, railroads can be confined to inter- sta'e commerce. col.i ans mGn who values the weil-being of Alahama, :py that they should be stopped from do- ing business in the state, if thsy se' moved case to the Federal court, To step the railroads from doing domes- tic business would inflict untold calamity upon the people. and harm them far mefe than it would the rail" roads That thts is Rot fancy sus- gestlcE. Is shown by the experience of some of the States, we believe 1t was Texas. with the Pullman Palace Car Company. That state put such enormous burdens on that company that 1. abandoned all except through business. passenger who wanted to bay a seat in @ Pullman car from one station to another In the State, couldn't get it. He had to bay and pay to points outside of the State and get off before the end of his journey. The company was forbidden by law to sell seats or berths. between points in the State. and could Lol do domes- tic basines. Does anybody wish any such mess In Alabama, when he seeks a seat in a day coach on some rail- road, which is forbidden to do 'domes- tic business, because it has removed a law suit Will not the Alabama legislators pause and consider where such measures as the one under con sideration will place the people of this Slater