195 N.Y. 565 | NY | 1909
Concurrence Opinion
I concur in the affirmance of the judgment appealed from on the ground stated in the opinions of the learned justices of the Appellate Division. While the complaint probably stated a good cause of action where it charged that the defendants combined and threatened to destroy plaintiffs’ business and boycott mem, these allegations were withdrawn at the opening of the trial. After this action by the plaintiffs’ counsel, the charge against the defendants was reduced substantially to this: That the defendants owned and controlled so large a share of the staple articles and kinds of tobacco marketed in the country that no general dealer or jobber could successfully do business without handling the merchandise owned and controlled by the American Tobacco Company; that the said company had appointed the Metropolitan Tobacco Company its exclusive selling agent in Hew York, and that the defendants refused to sell any of their goods to the plaintiffs, whereby their business was destroyed.
It is contended, however, that a different rule should prevail where a single person or corporation controls substantially the whole production or output of a staple article. I do not think the extent of the business can affect the rights of the parties. If it is an inherent right of the owner of property to refuse to sell his property to any particular individual, he cannot be deprived of that right simply because of the magnitude of his business or his wealth. Nor do I see how the courts could well draw a line between individuals and corporations who may exercise their full right of property, and those to whom, on account of their wealth, that right is to be denied. If the aggregation of enormous industries under a single control is an economic evil, as to which I express no opinion, the evil can be easily cured by the legislature. Practically none of these great combinations can be made except by the formation of a corporation, and the legislature has most extensive power in dealing with corporations. True it may not directly deprive them of any of their property rights, but none of these great combinations could live unless incorporated; for doing business as a partnership — each
Both of the defendants are foreign- corporations, but the control of the legislature over them is fully as plenary as in the case of domestic corporations. With the exception of a very limited class, such as corporations engaged in interstate transportation and the like, a foreign corporation cannot breathe or exist within the limits of a state except by the consent of the state. The state may refuse admittance to such a corporation for any reason, and unless the right has been contracted away, which is hardly possible under the Constitution of this state, it can equally unceremoniously, turn it out. A statute prohibiting any foreign corporation doing business within a state from removing suits against it to the Federal courts is void (Insurance Co. v. Morse, 20 Wall. 445); but though the statute cannot prevent the cor
The judgment should be affirmed, with costs.
Lead Opinion
Judgment affirmed, with costs, on opinions below.
Concur: EDWARD T. BARTLETT, HAIGHT, WILLARD BARTLETT and CHASE, JJ. CULLEN, Ch. J., concurs in opinion, in which VANN, J., concurs. Taking no part: GRAY, J. I concur in the affirmance of the judgment appealed from on the ground stated in the opinions of the learned justices of the Appellate Division. While the complaint probably stated a good cause of action where it charged that the defendants combined and threatened to destroy plaintiffs' business and boycott them, these allegations were withdrawn at the opening of the trial. After this action by the plaintiffs' counsel, the charge against the defendants was reduced substantially to this: That the defendants owned and controlled so large a share of the staple articles and kinds of tobacco marketed in the country that no general dealer or jobber could successfully do business without handling the merchandise owned and controlled by the American Tobacco Company; that the said company had appointed the Metropolitan Tobacco Company its exclusive selling agent in New York, and that the defendants refused to sell any of their goods to the plaintiffs, whereby their business was destroyed. *566
If there were any charge of combination between independent or distinct manufacturers or dealers in tobacco to refuse to sell the plaintiffs goods and thus boycott them, it would be an actionable wrong and give rise to a cause of action under the authority of Straus v. Am. Publishers' Assn. (
It is contended, however, that a different rule should prevail where a single person or corporation controls substantially the whole production or output of a staple article. I do not think the extent of the business can affect the rights of the parties. If it is an inherent right of the owner of property to refuse to sell his property to any particular individual, he cannot be deprived of that right simply because of the magnitude of his business or his wealth. Nor do I see how the courts could well draw a line between individuals and corporations who may exercise their full right of property, and those to whom, on account of their wealth, that right is to be denied. If the aggregation of enormous industries under a single control is an economic evil, as to which I express no opinion, the evil can be easily cured by the legislature. Practically none of these great combinations can be made except by the formation of a corporation, and the legislature has most extensive power in dealing with corporations. True it may not directly deprive them of any of their property rights, but none of these great combinations could live unless incorporated; for doing business as a partnership — each *567
partner liable for all the obligations of the firm, the partnership subject to dissolution on the death of every partner — the business would necessarily soon come to an end. With the exception of the very few corporations created prior to the Constitution of 1846, the legislature may repeal the charter of any domestic corporation (Lord v. Equitable Life AssuranceSoc'y.,
Both of the defendants are foreign corporations, but the control of the legislature over them is fully as plenary as in the case of domestic corporations. With the exception of a very limited class, such as corporations engaged in interstate transportation and the like, a foreign corporation cannot breathe or exist within the limits of a state except by the consent of the state. The state may refuse admittance to such a corporation for any reason, and unless the right has been contracted away, which is hardly possible under the Constitution of this state, it can equally unceremoniously, turn it out. A statute prohibiting any foreign corporation doing business within a state from removing suits against it to the Federal courts is void (Insurance Co. v. Morse, 20 Wall. 445); but though the statute cannot prevent the corporation *568
from removing the suit, it may expel the corporation because it has removed the suit. (Security Mut. L. Ins. Co. v. Prewitt,
The judgment should be affirmed, with costs.
Lead Opinion
Judgment affirmed, with costs, on opinions below.
Concur: Edward T. Bartlett, Haight, Willard Bartlett and Chase, JJ. Cullen, Cli. J., concurs in opinion, in which Vann, J., concurs. Taking no part: Gray, J.