The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-06-04

ladies took their places in the gallery of Lord
Chief-Justice Coleridge's court that the con-
clusion Of the prosecution in the Baccarat
case without anything more than the gaming
scandal having been developed was. if gratify-
ing, somewhat unexpected. However the de-
Tense was still to be heard and great things
might yet transpire. So the fair creatures
were not denied the prospect Of being even
tually very properly shocked.
THE PRINCE cENsURED.
Among the small groups of men Of fashion
who lOltered about the neghDOrhOOd before
the opening of the days proceedings there
was an apparent concensus of opinion that
the Prince of Wales has not shown anything
of the good sense so insistently claimed for
hlm by his admirers when he went out of
his way to kick an apparently falling man.
That he did this when he somewhat un-
necessarily Informed the court of his desire
not 10 be longer accounted one of
Sir William Gordon Cummings friends
goes without saying. The evident trepidation
manifested by the royal gentleman in enact
ing the role of witness has left a painful im-
preston upon the mind Of those who We're
present lt was strange. too, 10 observe the
first gentleman of England cawing at his
beard, shuilling his feet and neryously drum
ming on the edge of the box with his fingers.
THAT BOLD JUROR.
The trial has been singularly free from the
sensational. The only really startling occur
renee was the peTemptory questioning Of the
prince by the irreyerent juror, who so uneX-
pectedly wanted to know, We know That
man has made place in history
There was certainly nothing in the appear
ance of Sir William Gordon Cumming this
morning 10 Justify the cruel rumOrs which
have lntimated an intention on hls part to
launch himself into the presence Of higher
court in the event of his condemnation by this
one. The courtroom IS filed in every part
when the lord Justice enters and seats HIM
self. The select luncheon parties in the
gallery cease their gossip and the court Is de
clared open. Almost Immediately after the
court had been called to order the Prince of
Wales entered and occupied the seat reserved
for him TO the left of the lord chief justice.
OPENING TOR THE DEFENSE.
Sir Charles Russell, counsel-in-ehief for tho
defendants then arose and proceeded 10 make
the opening address 10 the Jury on behalf of
his clients. The distinguished jurist stood
with his right hand resting easily on the table
by his side. In his left hand he held a piece
of paper, which he presently cast aside. and
as he addressed the men whose verdict is, in
any event, 30 bring disgrace or heart burnings
TO some, his eyes moved slowly and thought
fully from one TO the other OF the Jurors.
o
fully and naturally toward that of the lord
chief justice, but only TO resume his direct
address to the Jury. Sir Charles SAID that his
clients were not there in the character of per
sons desiring to. be prosecutors or willing 10
be prosecuted They had been forced in self
defense to the course which they had adopt
ed. There was no better evidence of the
truth OF this fact than was to DO found in the
undisputed admission Of the plaintiff in this
case, Sir William Gordon Cumming, that
those persons, his (Sir Charles Russelps)
clients, were acting most cOnsclentlously IN
this unhappy affair.
SCORED THE PLAINTIFF.
With scathing ncisiveness Sir Charles
scored the plaintiff for having so promptly
signed the Illuminating and insulting docu-
ment which had been submitted TO him by
gentlemen who were in everything his peers
at Iranby Croft in September last. How did
it happen, asked counsel turning sharply to-
ward the plaintiff who sat looking intenty at
him that Sir William Gordon Cummin, q man
whose antecedants and associations should
make him sensible 10 the last degree where
his honor was 50 apparently involved, had not
on the instant taken steps to bring his SIAN
derers TO iusticey Why did his tardy honor
feel no sting until the plaintiff had found
himself in the midst OF other embarrassing
circumstances Then when the plaintiff had
been confronted with an empasse he had
turned upon those who were prepared TO
observe the agreement of society. The con-
duct of plaintiff was not that of an innocent
or honorable man.
ARTHUR WILSON TKsTIFIEs.
Renewed interest was shown upon the part
of the always most attentive audience when
Mr. Arthur Stanley Wilson, son of the mil
honaire owner of Tranby Croft and the lead
ing stockholder Of the wel-known Wilson
lif4a Df 81 nj no |
don and New York and many other ports,
entered the witness-box rs the first witness
for the defense. Mr. Wilson testified 10 theiact
that on the first night of the baccarat playing
at Iranby Croft, September 8th, he saw "a red
counter representing Is on piece Of paper
in front OF Sir William Gordon Canning.
When the latter's tabieaux won Sir William
had his hands in front Of him. and he also
had another Is counter in the palm Of his
right hand. The barOnet. according 70 this
witness. then looked at Sir Edward Somerset
hand. and. seeing that he held natural and
a court card he Sir William at once dropped
the Is counter from his right hand and was
paid on both Of the counters he had thus
placed on the table.
CAUSED SENSATION.
This evidence given by Mr. Wilson without
any hesitation. and ina manner which seemed
To impress the jury and which decidedly I'M
pressed the audience. caused great sensa-
ton in the courtroom. The whispered com
ments Of the ladies, so noticeable Yesterday
when startling points We're developed, We're
renewed with yigor and lasted for some
minutes.
Continuing. Mr. Arthur Wilson said tnat he
saw the same thing repeated by Sir William
Gordon Comming the same evening. and that
he then told Mr. Berkeley Levett that the
bar0net was cheating at cards. When he Mr..
Wilson, informed Mr. Leyett Of what he had
observed in Sir Williams play Mr.. Leyett said
that il was impossible; that be the witness)
must be mistaken.
Mr.. Arthur Stanley Wilson added that he
then told Mr. Berkeley Leyett 10 watch Sir
William Gordon Cumming. Mr.. Levett, SAID
Alr. Wilson, followed his Mr. Wilson'S adj
vice and he also saw the baronet cheat IN the
manner already described. Mr.. Leyett, upon
being convinced by personal observation that
what Mr.. Arthur Wilson said in regard TO the
baronet's cheating was true, exclaimed: Ihis
Is too bad.
THE GAME DESCRIBED.
Mr.. Arthur Stanley Wilson, who has come
into notoriety through the baccarat scandal
is tall about twenty-five years of age and
dresses in the height of fashion He was en-
tirely composed while giving his testimany;
At the request of Sir Charles Russell he placed
the dummies or representatives Of the Tranby
Croft baccarat players on the model table,
which was handed TO him in the witness box.
in the respective positions which they occu-
pied on the evening when the strange actions
of Sir William Gordon Cumming were nrst
noticed. The model table rs arranged by
young Mr.. Wilson was then passed over 70 the
jury box for the inspection of the jurors, who