Corbus v. Alaska Treadwell Gold Mining Company

This, like the preceding cases, was brought to prevent the payment of an Alaskan license tax. The method pursued was, however, different. It is a suit in equity brought by a stockholder against a corporation-the stockholder and the corporation being the sole parties plaintiff and defendant-to restrain it from paying the tax. Notice was given to the United States district attorney of the pendency of the suit, who appeared as amicus curioe, and, disclaiming any intention of, in any manner, representing or binding the United States, denied the jurisdiction of the court, its right to enjoin the defendant from paying the license, and argued in favor of the constitutionality of the law.

The bill alleged that the defendant was incorporated under the laws of the state of Minnesota, and engaged in mining and milling ore in the district of Alaska, with an office and manager in the district; that 'the general control of the affairs of said company is intrusted to a board of directors who reside in San Francisco, state of California, and are nonresidents of the district of Alaska; that the complete control and management of the affairs of said company in Alaska are under the supervision and control of its general superintendent and manager, J. P. Corbus.'