Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1891-06-18
THE PRINCE HARD HIT.


Sir william Gordon Cumming Has Been
IrrstrIevably Ruined = Positive Proof
that He Cheated at Cards-Comments
of the Leading Londen Papers.
The hIgest social circles Of London
have been In O state of feverish excite
ment over the famous trial for slander
OF the Wilson's, who charged Sir VIM.
Gorden Cumming with cheating at bac-
carat. The Prince of Wales and several
others-ladies and gentlemen-partici-
pated In the game, and at the trial IL was
shown that Wales owned the gambling
outfit, aud that he has been an habitual
gambler. The trial is over, the Wilson's
have been acquitted of the charge OF
SANDER, and, in consequence, Sir William
has been found guilty Of cheating
Notwithstanding, the higher circles
unite in voicing the most intense
Indignation over the jury's lind
ing, and the press, In part, unites in the
cry. Before the trial was finished, the
Prince induced Cumming to sign a paper
generating him (Wales) from all blame
in the matter. But the evidence showed
that Wales was cognizalt OF the cheat
ing. The comments OF the leading pa
pers make interesting reading.
The Chronicle has scathilg article in
which it condemns the jury finding and
Lord Coleridge's partiality. 1t declares
no evidence was adduced Inconsistent
with the hypothesis that Cumming
merely played the wel-known coup de
trois
1t says the verdict means according to
the jury that Cumming deliberately
cheated an illustrious but mpecunious
friend by trick requiring long and toll
some years of practice to acquire, that
though twenty years an habitual card
player, without provoking the slightest
suspicion, he had suddenly plunged into
wild Orgie, cheating the only man in
the world on whose patronage his social
and professional life depended. There
is nothing incredible In Cummings sign
ing the damning doonment the
| strength OF a statement OF the Prince OF
| Wales cringing minions, dComing him to
a fate wore than death, in order to save
what the Prince of Wales is pleased 10
| call his honor Cumming is not the
| first gallant Scottish gentleman who has
sacrificed both honor and life 10 the
fervid passion. of loyalty to the Prince,
or whose devotion has been rewarded by
cruel and cynical ingratitude. He has
this satisfaction. that no other man
without the soul of flunky has ever
run the smallest risk for the sake of the
he r apparent's honor.
The article, proceeding, fatty accuses
| the Prince of Wales of violating q
pledge of secrecy, and calls upon the
authorities TO indict Sir William Gordon
Cumming for the criminal offense OF
cheating. 1t declares that If they do
not, the public will know what to think,
| and says that il the Duke of Cambridge
shrinks from his duty in regard to the
military offcnse, IL is TO be hoped that
Parliament will not prove so pusillank
steps will be taken TO vindicate Justice
in crime which the Prince of Wales
compounded by signing the compact OF
Sir William Gordon Cumming: or whether
| the Infamous scandal will be hushed uL
| forever.
The Standard says: "Even If the
| plaintiff comes out the worst in the af-
| fair, il must be admitted that the de-
| PENDANTS and their friends have some
what tarnished reputation. The whole
business is ignoble from the beginning
TO the end. There is an air of vulgarity
and shabbiness about it. and it must, in
common fairness, be acknowledged that
the PrinGe e 2f MJalssn a6t basse9p ea se9plH d III;
associates, and we are sure he himself
is acutely conscious of this 1t will not
be lightly forgotten that the Prince in
stigated the game ami carried the ap.
paratus with him. doubtless the pain.
| full experiences will prove lesson that
| a close and constant circCmspection is
required over every member of family
| the lightest stain on whose dignity and
| delicacy is felt by ms as something OF q
national disgrace"
The Times says the case ended I'm the
only way in which impartial observers
| believed possible. II advises the Wilson
| family, which IL accuses of being in
directly responsible for the tragic ruin
| OF fine career, TO remain in social re-
| tirement In regard TO the important
| aspect of the case the Times says: ave
express the universal feeling of millions
| of English men and women when we say
| that we profoundly reg ct the Prince OF
| Wales connection with the affair. Max
| ing every allowance for the monotony OF
royal existence, and admitting the tact
with which he performs his duties, II he
IS known to pursue questionable pleas
ures the serious public, who are the
backbone of England, will regret and
resent il. We almost WISH for the sake
| of English society, that as the result OF
this unhappy case the Prince of Wales
had also signed a declaration that he
would never touch card again"
Referring 20 tho result of the baccarat
case. the Post says: ave do not desire
to add to the anguish over the sad end
ing OF brilliant career, but the fact re-
mains that the signing of the document
rendered it impossible for eminent and
dextcrous counsel TO rehabilitate the
honor which Cumming himself treated
so lightly. Lord Colcridge took just
aspect OF the Prince of Wales connection
and of the morality of baccarat" Sir
William has stood at the head of the
very highest social circles, but is now
| lrretrievably ruined. His expulsion
from the army will follow.