New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-06-09
SCORNING THE PRINCE.
EXTREMELY PLAIN LANGUAGE OF PLAIN
TIFF'S COUNSEL IN THE BACCARAT CASE.
SIR EDWARD oLARKE's CLOSING SPEECH AP-
PLAUDED-sIR CHARLES RUSSELL FINISHES
SUMMING UP FOR THE DEFENCE-THE

SUMMING UP FOR THE DEFENCE-THE
CASE TO GO TO THE JURY TO-DAY.
London, June s.-7sir William Gordon Cumming had
his innings in the baccarat this the sixth day
OF the trial. The court crowded long before the
opening time, and interest in the did not seem to
have diminished in the slightest degree. Lord Cole
ridge the Lord Chief Justice Of England when he took
his seat the bench Hanked either side by
about twenty-five women. The plaintiff apparently
was utterly unrufaed. During the delivery Of The
latter part Of Sir Charles Russes speech for the de-
fence, the portion uttered to-day, the plaintiff calmly
listened to it, for instant turning his head
toward Sir Charles Occasionally the BaTonet looked
straight at the Prince of Wales but the latter never
met his gaze. The Prince throughout the trial has
demonstrated the fact that he Is standing by the VII
sons, and that he will continue to do So Arthur
Stanley wilson has been electcd q member Of the
Marlborough Club, the Princes faVorte club, upon the
nomination of the Prince himself
Sir Charles Russell upon the opening of court re-
sumed his address for the defence. lie called atten
ton TO Sir william Gordon Cummings methods Of
playing baccarat, saying: at what Arthur Stanley
Wilson has to took place, 1t excluded all that
GLASS of suggestonof which trace appeared In the
correspondence between Sir william Gordon Cumming,
General owen Williams and Lord COventryo the effect
that the accusation arose from misunderstanding Of
the plaintiffs system of play known coup de tros
Tho evidence for the defence has given variety OF
detail which points out the truth rather than parrot
like repetition Of the alleged events Sir Charles then
said that in his opinion the only course open TO Sir
Edward Clarke leading counsel for the plantif-whch
course. he added, would be fatawas to denounce the
whole accusation invention.
"NOw," said Sir Charles, d" In regard to the events
which resulted in the plaintiffs leaving Tranby Croft
the morning Of September IL, without seeing any
body in the house into which he had been introduced
friend of the Prince of Waes's, with full knowl
edge that he leaving behind him blasted reputa-
rODfr 1affOu of oil VpO
needed it comes from the acts and from the conduct
Of the plaintiff himself, who dOubly condemned by
the independent testimony Of witnesses, who had no
motive against him. but every motive TO prevent a
scandal and by HIS conduct when brought face to
face with the accusation made against him.
"Was 1t possible for an innocent man to adopt the
course taken by the Plaintiff He says that he did
not ask to be confronted with the witnesses because he
advised not to do But the impulse OF an
honorable man would have been TO insist that MS
accusers should be brought face to face with MN.
Instead Of this the jury have had placed before them
the feeble suggestion that the witnesses mstook for
acts OF cheating coups de trois If this was so the
plaintiffs conduct could have been explained; but
there was not syllable Of suggestion Of that kind
uttered at Tranby Croft. Tho plaintiff signed that
paper and knew that so doing admission Of his
guilt"
Sir Charles then dwelt at length upon the testimony
of Berkeley Levett, showing that Mr.. Levott was
anxious to shield be of service TO the plaintiff for
the sake Of their past friendship and for the sake of the
regiment to which they both belonged. "But," said
Sir Charles "who had the manress 10 declare to Sir
william Gordon Cumming that he could not refuse to
believe his eyes"
Sir Charles Russell then cleverly endeavored TO dis
count the aTagnment of the Wilson family and other
members of the Tranby Croft baccaa party, which, he
anticipated would be Of the features of the address
that the Solicitor General, Sir Edward Clarke, would
make for the other side sir Charles closed his address
with the remark that he confidently left the defendants
in the hands Of the jury, being fully that
tho latter would DO their duty and by their verdict
uphold the evidence which had been given in their
behalf
Sir Charles had hardly taken his seat and still
receiving the congratulations Of his friends when the
solicitor General, Sir Edward Clarke, leading counsel
the plaintiff, took the floor and in few sentences
tersey asked the attention Of the jury his whole
manner indicating that sensation was coming Sir
Edward began by saying that it had been the common
talk" that the Prince of Waless continual presence
In court during the trial Of this suit had been for the
purpose of restraining the tongues Of the lawyers
gagged In the from commenting upon the Princes
connection with 1t. This remark caused a sensation,
which, however, nothing to what followed the
speakers further utterances.
Sir Edward ntmaed that the presence Of the Prince
Of Wales in court would not prevent him from making
any comment necessary, saying that he (the speaker
had painful duty to perform, and intended to per
form it honestly and fairly. His opponents, Sir Ed
ward continued, had always been careful to allude to
himself as the Solicitor General" and added
awhile I am proud Of that title, must remind the
Jury that / appear In this simply English
barrster and l am obliged to disregard friendships
and even my own interests ard comment on the con-
duct and evidence of Of the highest in the land
Sir Edward Clarke he uttered those last words,
turned squarely around until he faced the Prince Of
Wales, upon whom every eye was fixed, and who
nervously crossed his legs while the audience was
utterly aghast at what considered to be the
dacty of the Solicitor General.
Continuing, the solicitor General remarked that Sir
Charles Russell had said that even II the Jury found
for the plaintiff and disregarded tho document the
latter had signed at Tranby Croft. the military au
thorties would take the matter up, and Sir William
Gordon Cummings would be striker from the
army list. q wish to say" exclaimed Sir Edward,
raising his voice, "that it would be impossible for the
authorities 10 do any such thing and to leave that
list the names OF Field Marshal the Prince OF wales,
and General owen Williams.
This bold statement seemed completely to take
avav the breath of the audience, and caused by far
the greatest sensation Of the trial. There muir
mur of establishment in the courtroom. 1t was as if
n fash of lightning had revealed the Prince of Wales
az possible vioator Of the military regulations to
such an extent that his name might be stricken from
tho army list The Prince sat mmovable leaning his
hoad unon his arm and endeavorng to appear totally
uncOnceTned
After the sensation had somewhat subsided, Sir
Edward Clarke, apparently satisfied with the effect
which he had produced, directed his attention TO the
discrepancies which, he alleged, existed between the
precis drawn up at Trsnby Croft, which accused Sir
wuIiam Gordon Cumming of Withdrawing as well as
dd,nc counters TO those he had previously staked at
haccayat and the statement which the Wilson family
no,r disclaims that there preconccrtcd plan TO
watch Sir william Gordon Cumming on the second
NIGHT Of the baccarat playing, september o. The
solctorGeneral pointed out that the precls was
written when the occurrences to which IT 'eicrrel
,orId have been stu fresh In everybody's memory,
40 mot they were indorsed correct By the Prince
~ wales. by Lord Coventry and by General owen
Williams vet, he added, now such important details
AZ the agreement TO watch the plaintiff were re-
undated by the Wilson family.
Sir Edward then began cutting arrangement Of
the Wilson's which demonstrated rom the suicS
r,b nervaded the courtroom that the spectators are
"' -.,,,,,ot tn. with that familY. Yes