Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1891-06-11
NO ISLANDER.
The Wilson's ct al Not Guilty of
Maligning Cumming.
50 SAYS THE BACCARAT JURY.
The Lord Chief Justices Summing Up Ad-
verse to the PIaintid-The Verdict Rem
dered After a Consultation Of
Fifteen Minutes.

LONDON, June 1O.-The great baccarat
trial is over and the decision of the jury
is in favor of the defendants and against
Sir William Gordon Cumming who in
stituted the suit for SANDER.
For the first time since the trial be-
gan there was a cheer for Sir Gordon
Cumming yesterday as he passed in
to the court room. The throng outside
was greater than ever and the police
found it difficult to make way for those
entitled to seats. The popular excite
ment over the case has been very great
and many have come in from to London
to see the spectacle Of the prince, the
accused and the galaxy of wealth,
beauty and nobility on exhibition. Sir
William Gordon Cumming was evident
ly in better spirits than week ago and
he took his seat with an air of conf
dence and a smile to his beautiful sis
ter, Lady Middleton, who with her hus-
band, Lord Middleton, has stood by
him from the first
There was no diminution in the at
tendance, though much disappointment
was felt at the absence of the prince OF
Wales and some of his intimates who
had gone to the Ascot races.
The lord chief justice finished his
summing up of the evidence. 1t was
noted throughout that his charge was
favorable to the defendants The audi
ence listened with breathless attention
to the words of the address, upon the
tenor of which so much depended The
court explained at length the difference
between an action for SANDER such as
this one and an action for libel If the
jury found that the defendants in what
they said about Sir William Gordon
Cumming had spoken the truth they
should render a verdict in the defend
ants favor.
If, however, the jury believed the
statements of the defendants to have
been broadly untrue and that the
plaintiff did not commit the act as
cribed to him the verdict must be for
Sir William. His lordship entreated
the Jury to keep their minds steadily
upon the evidence. The extraneous
matter which had been brought into
the arguments of counsel must be elm
mated from the minds of the jury in
their consideration of the facts.
Apparently this was on the remark OF
Sir Edward Clarke concerning the
prince of Wales, and there were many
significant exchanges of glances in the
court room.
The lord chief justice proceeded to
analyze the evidence, which he said was
well worthy of careful consideration.
He emphatically protested against the
observation which had been made by
counsel that there was more in the
case than was allowed to be brought to
the surface. The jury must not allow
themselves to be influenced by such re-
marks, made in the heat of argument
by counsel, whose zeal led them to hint
at more than could be made evident
As amatter of fact there was never any
more in a case than appeared in evil
| dence. 1t was the province of courts OF
law to bring out the facts and only the
facts and to procure verdict thereon.
The jury were debarred by their solemn
oaths from dealing with things below
the surface, if such things existed.
| They must confne themselves to the
evidence as brought out by examina-
ton and cross-examination- This evil
dence was in this case very full and
furnished ample light whereby the jury
could be guided to a correct conclusion
regardless of other considerations.
They must confne themselves to the
single question at issue and base their
verdict upon what they had heard
proved by evidence.
At the conclusion of the lord chief
Justices address to the Jury they re-
| tired and the occupants of the court
room busted themselves commenting
upon what they had heard and in con
lectures as to the probable effect of the
charge upon the jury. Only fifteen
minutes had elapsed when the jury
sent word to the court that they had
agreed upon their verdict The sus-
pense was great as the jurors returned
to their seats and replied to the judges
questions. When the verdict of mot
guilty" was announced there was a
| tremendous stir in the room, the court
knocking vainly for order. Both ap
plause and Kisses were heard, but the
latter predominated-
In few moments the room was va
Gated by the galy dressed throng and
the sensational trial was over. The de
PENDANTS present were warmly con
graduated by numerous friends, and
seemed supremely happy. The verdict
was in accordance with general ex
pectation Betting during the morning
/ was strongly favorable to such result.