St. Paul daily globe., 1891-06-10
POINTS ON THE SIDE.
Observations Of Lord Coleridge
and Other Kinds.


LONDON, June 9.-When the chief
justice defined the law of libel as diff
ferent from the law of SANDER. and
when he gave special instructions in
regard to the amount of damages which
the jury should, If it so desired, assess
in event it found the case for the plaint-
iff, it was considered that Lord Cole
ridges instruct ions decidedly favored
Sir William Gordon Cumming. But
when the lord chief justice analyzed the
evidence of the defendants and that
of Gen. Williams. the Prince
OF Wales and Lord Coventry,
it was judged that this was,
IN effect, an Endorsement of their evil
dence. In this connection Lord Cole
ridge said that Sir William Gordon Cum
ming did not come there to make fort
une, and that his character would be
sufficiently cleared by the jury award
ing him, should the evidence warrant it.
small amout of damages, Lord Cole
ridge also described at length the high
position and brave career of Sir William
Gordon Cumming. saying that the latter
went to TranbYcroft as an honored
guest. and, ''if l might be permitted to
say so, as sort Of prize guest, of whom
any hostess might be proud"
Referring to the Prince of Wales con-
nectiOn with the case, Lord Coleridge
said: 'People may say what they like,
but they are all very much pleased to
have such guests as the Prince of Wales.
Lord Coventry, and Lord this and Lord
that, in their houses" Laughter.l
The audience, especially the fashion
ably dressed ladies in the galleries, paid
but little attention to the summing up
and charge of the lord chief justice.
On the other hand. Sir William Gordon
Cumming and all the defendants gave
their undivided attention TO every word
uttered by the lord chief justice.
From the time the jury retired to de-
liberate upon their verdict until the
moment they returned to the court
room, only fifteen minutes elapsed,
showing, apparently, that they were of
one opinion as to the merits of the case.
During the few minutes that the jury
was out, the plaintiff sat quietly in his
usual seat, reading big batch Of letters,
in the contents of which he seemed
much interested. His brother-in-law
Lord Middleton and other friends who
sat near Sir William Gordon Cumming
were very nervous, and clearly showed
it by their actions and continuous, hur-
ried whispering. The five defendants
were also nervo is. and chatted in low
tones with their friends. evidently being
most anxious to hear the result and to
get away from the scene of their seven
days of torture.
One of the baccarat case jurymen,
who was interviewed after the court had
finally adjourned, said that there was no
doubt from the first moment the jury re-
tired as to how the verdict would go.
Each of the jurymen, he said, was asked
so soon as they were alone whether he
was for the plaintiff or for
the defendants, and each reply
was given without hesitation and
Immediately, For the defendants"
The gentlemans who was interviewed
frankly admitted that he undoubtedly
SYmpathiZed with the plaintiff, but he
was so struck with the unanimitY of
opinion which prevailed in favor of the
defendants that, although he would
have liked to have found for the plaint-
lff, he said that he could not cOnscen-
tiously do so in face of the evidence
which had been presented on behalf of
the defense. The interviewed juryman
said in conclusion that it appeared to
him that the jury had made up their
minds as to the verdict they would rem
der before the lord chief justice summed
up and made his charge.
Cumming held a consultation with
Sir Edward Clarke, Mr.. Gill and his
solicitor in the course of the evening
before proceeding home, where he de-
MED himself to all corners. A group of
friends still adhering to him, met at the
Turf club in expectation of seeing him.
Since the scandal became public Cum
ming has not been seen at the MARI
borough or Guards club of which he is
a member, but has occasionally visited
the Turf circle. Tonight the member
of the Turf club seemed undecided how
to act Personally Cumming is liked
at the club. He has an honor
able record throughout in all his deal
ings with members of the club and many
are adverse to his expulsion. The
division of public feeling upon the YER
dict will be largely class division, the
aristocratic circle siding with the de-
cision and approving Lord Coleridge's
charge, while the mass of the public
sympathize with Cumming and accuse
the judge Of gross partiality. The
Kissing with which the gallery of the
court saluted the verdict was repeated
outside by an excited crowd thronging
the corridors. The defendants on leay-
ing the court were surrounded by mob
and numbers Of insulting illusions were
addressed to them until they reached
the protection of their carriages. Mr..
Lewis, their solicitor. had TO fly for
safety to the adjacent chancery court,
where he escaped by climbing over
bench. Just before leaving Mrs. Will
son telegraphed the result to the Prince
of Wales, adding congratulations.
The popular reaction is largely due to
Sir Edward Clarke's outspoken and
fearless address. When he appeared in
the lobby of the house of commons to-
nil rh a
gratulations on the ground that he had
done the best that could be done against
the enormous difficulties. His friends
fear that the increased distinction he