26 F. 889 | U.S. Circuit Court for the District of Western Pennsylvania | 1886
Tbe defendant was? a citizen of the state of New York, and a director of the Ithaca Organ & Piano Company, a cor
The defendant, indeed, sets up in his answer that the Ithaca Organ & Piano Company, being a foreign corporation, unlawfully carried on business in the state of Pennsylvania without complying with certain laws of the state, and it is claimed, therefore, that the court ought not to grant any 'equitable relief to the corporation or its receiver. I incline, however, to think that the transactions of the corporation referred to were strictly of a commercial nature, and within the protection of the constitution of the United States. Cooper Manuf'g Co. v. Ferguson, 113 U. S. 727; S. C. 5 Sup. Ct. Rep. 739. But, however this may be, I am unable to preceive.how it lies in the defendant’s mouth to allege the corporation’s want of legal capacity to transact business in this state so long as the commonwealth is not complaining of any infraction of its laws. Goundie v. Northampton Water Co., 7 Pa. St. 233. Moveover, this is not a suit by the corporation, or in its behalf; the suit in the state of New York was an adversary one against the corporation, and this is but an ancillary suit. It is a proceeding in behalf of the innocent creditors of the corporation and to reach its assets. The case is fairly within the
The pendency of the suit in Luzorne county set up in the answer is no bar to this suit, if for no other reason, because the present plaintiff is not a party thereto.
There is a large amount of the personal assets of this corporation within this state, and I think'it sufficiently appears that a necessity exists for the appointment of a Pennsylvania receiver to collect and take charge of the same. Indeed, this court recently, in the ease of Filley v. Ithaca, Organ & Piano Co., appointed a receiver. But the action of the court in that case has been called in question by the present defendant, who obtained a rule which is still pending to show cause why the order of appointment should not be revoked. It is thought to be desirable that the appointment be made in this case, the declared intention being to discontinue the other suit simultaneously with the making of a new order of appointment herein. To this course the court perceives no valid objection.
Lot a decree be drawn appointing a receiver and enjoining the defendant, as prayed for.