For Northern Securities, it wanted to prove that it had not violated antitrust laws and at the same time sue the Minnesota prosecutor's office for abuse of public power. But for Attorney General Douglas, he wanted to achieve exactly the opposite goal.

From the beginning, both sides entered into a fierce debate, presenting the evidence their side had and explaining every relevant law. Although it was a war of words, it made the lawyers present excited. For these holdings,

For lawyers who come here for various purposes, this lawsuit has benefited them a lot.

The court could not calm down from the beginning. Everyone who entered was a lawyer who knew the law. Although they maintained their restraint and tried not to disturb both parties, once there was a tit-for-tat debate, some people used their legal knowledge to discuss among themselves. Of course,

Most of the lawyers took a clear stand on the side of Northern Securities Company.

A large group of lawyers observing the court itself is a huge and invisible pressure. This pressure is on everyone, not a certain person. For both the prosecution and the defense, this is a battle worth going all out.

confrontation.

"The establishment of Northern Securities Company did not mean that the railway acquired another competing railway and became a family. It was just a company with only two railways at the same time, nothing more." James said calmly in front of a large group of lawyers.

He said calmly, "Because he is not a so-called trust company. There is no provision in the laws of Minnesota that an investment company cannot invest in two projects in one field at the same time. As we all know, my client, Mr. Morgan,

, is an outstanding and widely respected banker, this kind of investment behavior is very normal, it is a normal business behavior."

"From the founding of the United States, our ancestors have always been worried about the abuse of public power and wanted to lock rights in a cage. The interference of rights in economic behavior is a very dangerous trend. Mr. Judge, now it is not only

It is a matter of litigation. The entire citizen class is watching you, and many companies are also evaluating the impact of your judgment at this time. This judgment will definitely become an important day in history."

"Okay!" I don't know who cheered, and the entire group of lawyers in the gallery cheered loudly for James' words.

Within this scope, the first day of litigation ended. James' lawsuit on behalf of Northern Securities Company quickly spread throughout the United States. The image of his calm response to Attorney General Douglas's attack appeared in many newspapers.

.

Because the two parties involved are not ordinary people, it is impossible to expect the outcome of this lawsuit to come out in one day. Compared with the many congratulatory lawyers, as the chief lawyer of Northern Securities Company, James knows that this is not enough.

The confrontation will also be fierce.

Sure enough, the next day's proceedings had just begun. Douglas presented a series of evidence he had collected, including evidence from the federal Department of Justice, showing that Northern Securities Company was by no means a so-called simple investment company. In fact, it was a railway system.

monopoly trust enterprises.

Since the two railways were acquired by Northern Securities Company at the same time, the pricing of railway freight was unreasonable, causing huge losses to many small and medium-sized farmers. These people were unable to compete with the behemoth Northern Securities Company.

"This is unfair in itself. The establishment of Northern Securities Company has put the entire northern railway line in the hands of one company. If it is legal, it can continue to legally control the country's railways." Attorney General Douglas said.

The judge said, "Such a prospect has to make people worry."

"The Attorney General's concerns are based on assumptions. We are in a real world, but we use assumptions to evaluate problems. Isn't this a joke?" As soon as Douglas finished speaking his thoughts, James calmed down.

Idlely retorted, "Legal is legal, illegal is illegal. Now I want to talk about another issue. Minnesota's groundless lawsuit against Northern Securities Company caused the company's stock price to plummet, and countless investors lost their money and suffered.

There is a huge loss, who will be responsible for this loss?"

"Mr. Judge, and many colleagues who are proficient in law here, this is a typical fact that public power has caused heavy losses to private companies, and now it is happening in front of you. Please pay attention to a basic principle, the Constitution Amendment, Article 14

Section 1: No state shall deprive any person of life, liberty, or property without due process of law." James walked up to Douglas and said in a rather condescending manner, "Mr. Attorney General, do you understand this? Private

Property is sacrosanct…”

The gallery of the Sao Paulo Courthouse burst into endless applause. After receiving all the evidence and arguments submitted by both parties, Judge Lochian adjourned the case until the last day of the trial tomorrow.

Article 14, Section 1, of the Amendment to the Constitution ratified in 1868. Every person born in the United States or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction of the United States is a citizen of the United States and of the state in which he resides. No person shall be a citizen of any state.

Make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any state deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.

.

This lawsuit, which attracted national attention, also became a talking point among slave owners and friends. Carter believed, "Morgan's attorney came up with the Constitutional Amendment, which is legally impeccable. Private property is inviolable. Who dares to

be opposed to?"

"Who dares to object!" Sheffield, who was holding an apple in one hand and preparing to replenish his energy, tilted his head and said, "If your car collides with someone else on the road, your private property will be violated. The state will levy taxes and raise funds from large companies.

Military pay is a legal infringement of private property. When has it become inviolable? As far as the country is concerned, we are just more powerful than ordinary people to protect our own private property."

Crunch! Sheffield took a bite of the apple and said vaguely, "If the federal government acts rogue, the law will be useless. I think President Roosevelt is a particularly rogue."

With Alice Roosevelt gone, the slave owners regained their former self-confidence. They no longer had to think about what to say and what not to say. Sheffield felt so happy when the words were spoken.

The three-day lawsuit has attracted widespread attention from the entire citizenry. All the focus has been focused on the Sao Paulo Court. The last day is when the answer will be revealed. Before the final result comes out, everyone holds their breath and waits for the final verdict.

the appearance of.

At this time, both parties changed their previous tense situation, and their confidence and arrogance disappeared. Both James and Douglas were worried about gains and losses. This was the most important lawsuit they had faced in their lives, and it was more important than ever before.

Whether they win or lose will be recorded in their resumes.

With everyone watching, Judge Luo Qian solemnly pronounced the verdict, "After discussions with other judges, the St. Paul Court accepted the explanation of Northern Securities Company. Northern Securities Company did not use one railway to purchase another competing railway.

It is just a company that holds stocks of two railroads. Therefore, it is not a monopoly alliance to restrict trade. It does not violate any Minnesota law, nor does it violate the provisions of the antitrust law. The lawsuit filed by the State of Minnesota against Northern Securities Company is not tenable.

The verdict is pronounced again, and the Minnesota state government has lost the case.”

As the client lawyer of Northern Securities Company, James raised his arm high and waved it vigorously, expressing his joy. He looked at Douglas provocatively, then withdrew his gaze and said humbly, "Dear Mr. Judge, this is

A very fair verdict."

By this time, the entire court was in jubilation, and everyone strode out of the court, leaving only the frustrated Attorney General Douglas.

This victory of Northern Securities Company against the Minnesota government was quickly spread throughout the country. Wall Street and trust companies everywhere rejoiced, and Northern Securities Company's stock became the hottest investment choice because of this news.

Morgan became an invincible representative in the newspapers and enjoyed unparalleled praise. News that Douglas had lost the case also reached the White House in Washington, which made Attorney General Knox look gloomy.

The attorney general supported by the federal government actually lost to a lawyer appointed by a banker. How could he accept such a result? Roosevelt, who also learned the news, also knew that this was definitely bad news, and said, "Isn't it very difficult?

?”

"Huh?" Knox nodded honestly. The current outcome is undoubtedly a shock, making it difficult for the federal government to win the same type of lawsuit in the same court. This is all because of the existence of case law, and it is difficult to obtain the same type of lawsuit.

A result contrary to the previous judgment.

Although he didn't want to admit it, Knox knew that Morgan won this time, and if he tried another trial in Minnesota, he would just lose one more time.

Compared to the silence on the White House side, Morgan unceremoniously opened champagne to celebrate, seeming to announce that he had been defeated by the White House's dictation of domestic companies. As a lawyer representing this lawsuit, James also benefited a lot, although he had already

Even a famous barrister has become famous at this moment.

"William, what do you say now?" Carter was proud of his judgment, especially in front of Sheffield.
Chapter completed!