Texam Oil Corporation v. Poynor

This is a plea of privilege case arising out of a suit against an individual and a corporation for slander. The question is whether a corporation may be held for trial in a county other than that of its domicile where there is an absence of proof that the slanderous remarks allegedly made by the corporate agent were authorized by the corporation or ratified by it. There was evidence that the statement made by the agent was referable to his duties, but there was no proof of authorization or ratification.

The statement allegedly made by the agent (who was then a director of the corporation and…