u. S. V. LA
COMPAG:'iIE FRANCAISE DES GABLES TELEGRAPHIQ.UES.
495
If the title to Isaac's personal property ever vested in his adminis-
tion as to title is precisely as it was when the original bill was filed.
trator it is there yet. There is nothing to show that the estate has been administered upon and its surplus distributed. Non constat the claims of creditors are sufficient to swallow up the entire assets so that nothing passes to the representatives of Louisa. The court has been referred by counsel for complainants to section 2666 of the New York Oode. It would seem that this section does not bear even remotely upon the point at issue. The citation is probably a mistake of the printer, section 2606 being intended; stilI the court is unable to see how the title to the shares in controversy is affected especially in the absence of proof that proceedings have been taken under the section referred to. For aught that appears the title is exactly where it was wnen the action was commenced,in Isaac Bernstein's representative. It follows that the first two grounds of demurrer must be sustained with leave to the complainants to amend within 20 days by making the representative of Isaac Bernstein a party, or otherwise, as they may be advised. As to the other grounds the demurrer is overruled without prejudice to their further consideration should the action be hereafter revived.
UNITED STATES v. LA CO:M:PAGXIE FRANCAISE DES CABLES TELEGRAPHIQUES et al,
(Circuit Court, S. D. New York. December 15, 1896.) 1. LAVING CABLES TO FOREIGN COUNTRIES-RIGHTS OF UNITED STATES.
It would seem that no one, allen or native, has any right to establish a physical connection, as by means of a telegraphic cable, between the shores of this country and any foreign country, without the consent of the United States. Whether such consent shall be granted or refused is a political question, which, in the absence of legislation, would seem to rest with the executive.
2. SAME-PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION.
A preliminary injunction agalnst laying to our shores a cable connecting with a foreign country, without the consent of the government, will not be granted, at the instance of the latter, where the connection has been completed before the motion was submitted, and it does not appear that the United States will Buffer any irreparable injury by its operation until final hearing.
This suit is brought by the district attorney and the attorney general of the United States against La Oompagnie Francaise Des Cables Telegraphiques, the United States & Hayti Telegraph & Cable Company, and the United States & Hayti Gable Oompany to prevent the defendants from laying and landing at Ooney Island a telegraphic cable between this country and Hayti, without the consent of the government of the United States. Motion was made for a preliminary injunction upon bill and affidavits. Wallace Macfarlane, U. S. Atty., and Elisher Root, for the motion. Robert G. Ingersoll and Frederick R. Ooudert, opposed. LACOMBE, Circuit Judge. A careful examination of the papers and briefs has Jiot induced any change in the opinion expressed
496
77 FEDERAL REPORTER.
upon the oral· argument. Some of the questions raised as to the application of the act of 1890 seem, upon the authorities, not to be free from doubt, and they should be reserved for final hearing. The summary granting of a preliminary injunction is appropriate to a state of facts which presents some element of immediate necessity. There is none here. The laying of the cable was completed before this motion was submitted on affidavits and briefs, and there is nothing to show that its operation until final hearing will produce irreparable injury to the United States or to any individual. It is thought that the main proposition advanced by complainant's counsel is a sound one, and that, without the consent of the general government, no one, alien or native, has any right to establish a physical connection between the shores of this country and that of any foreign nation. Such consent may be implied as well as expressed, and whether it shall be granted or reo fused is a political question, which, in the absence of congressional action, would seem to fall within the province of the executive to decide. As was intimated upon the argument, it is further thought that the executive may effectually enforce its decision without the aid of the courts; but, even if defendants are correct in the contention that the executive has nothing to do with the matter, it is certainly indisputable that congress has absolute au· thority over the subject. That body is now in session, and if any urgent necessity, not disclosed in the papers before the court, should call for immediate action, it can settle the question of assent or nonassent with suchdeftniteness as to leave no further room for argument. Motion for preliminary injunction is denied.
SIGDA IRON CO. v. CLARK et al.
(Circuit Gourt, E. D. Pennsylvania. December 14, 1896.) EQUITY JUkTSDlCTION,....BILL TO COLLECT STOCK
The fact that a resolution of the board of directors of a corporation under which a stockholder claims release from liability on his subscription is al· leged to be fraudulent and, void, will not give equity' jurisdiction of, a bill against the stockholder to collect the subscription. The invalidity of the resolution must me shown at law.
DEFENSE.
J: Hampton Barnes, 4,. R., Wintersteen, and Geo. Tucker Bispham, for pIa-inWl's. J. S. Olark a.nd R. O. Dale, for defendant. , DALLAS, Oircrtit Judge. The substance of the allegations of the bill of complaint in this case may be restated from the brief of complainant, as follows: , '·'First. That the defendants subscribed to certain shares of stOCk, and that the subscription has not been paid. Second. That the defendants refused to pay, on the ground that when they took the shares they had an understanding with the persons,w40 were engaged in organizing the company that they (the shares) should be held for the company in order that they might be used in a settlement of one of the company's construction contracts; that the shares were not so used