pective jurisdiction
have an equal right in like cases to resort to them for redress.[1191]
There is no denial of equal protection of the law by reason of the fact
that in one district the State is allowed an appeal and in another
district it is not.[1192] The legislative discretion to grant or
withhold equitable relief in any class of cases must, under the equal
protection clause, be so exercised as not to grant equitable relief to
one, and to deny it to another under like circumstances and in the same
territorial jurisdiction. A State law forbidding injunctions in labor
disputes is invalid where injunctive relief is available in other
similar controversies.[1193] The action of prison officials in
suppressing a prisoner's appeal documents during the statutory period
for appeal constitutes a denial of equal protection by refusing him
privileges of appeal that were available to others.[1194]

Corporations

A statute permitting suits against domestic corporations to be brought
in any county in which the cause of action arose, is not void as denying
equal protection.[1195] Neither is a statute applicable only to
corporations requiring the production of books and papers upon notice,
with punishment for contempt upon neglect or refusal to comply.[1196]
Where, however, actions against domestic corporations may be brought
only in counties where they may have places of business or where a
chief officer resides, a statute authorizing action against a foreign
corporation in any county is discriminatory and invalid.[1197] So also
is a statute, applicable only to foreign corporations, which requires
the corporation, as a condition precedent to maintenance of an action,
to send its officer into the State, with papers and books bearing on the
matter in controversy, for examination before trial, where nonresident
individuals, as well as individuals and corporations within the State,
were subject to less onerous requirements.[1198]

Expenses of Litigation

A statute which directs that life and health insurance companies who
default in payments of their policies shall pay 12 per cent damages,
together with reasonable attorney's fees, does not deny the equal
protection of the law in failing to impose the same conditions on fire,
marine, and inland insurance companies, and on mutual benefit and relief
associations.[1199] Costs may be allowed to a person who has been
subjected to malicious prosecution, with provision for commitment