The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-06-02
ENGLAND'S CARD GAME.
SIR CUMMINGS SUIT FOR ISLANDER
OPENED.

The Court Room Crowded with Blue
Hloods and the Leaders of Fashion
The Prince of Wales Present Through
out the Proceedings as a Witness
Waiting to be Called.
LONDON, June 1.-The famous baccarat
scandal trial, otherwise the action of Sir
William Gordon Cumming against Mr.. and
Mrs. Lycett Green and Mr.. and Mrs.
Arthur Wilson and Bsrkely Levett for
slander. commenced to-day before Lord
Chief Justice Coleridge in the queens bench
division in her majesty's high court of Jus
tiee. Long before the hour Q1 O'Clock a.
m.) fixed for the hearing, the court room
was filed with crowds of fashionable peo-
pie who had been lucky enough to obtain
one Of the much coveted tickets granting
them the right to be present at the long ex-
pected baccarat revelations.
COULDN'T BULLDozE THE JUDGE.
Lord Coleridge, in disposiug of seats in
the court room, had TO resist much pressure
from swarms Of aristocratic notabihties,
male and female who seemed to be under
the impression that they had right to be
present, and that it was for the lord chief
Justice to see that this alleged right was
respected. But Lord Coleridge was not 30
easily "buIdozed." He gave orders
that admission to the court was
to be by special tickets only, and he an
nounced that he would be able TO accommo-
date only few of the most distinguished
applicants with seats beside him on the
bench, reserving the main body Of the
court for the members of the bar, wit
nesses, jurymen and about thirty-five news
paper Representatives
AN ANGRY CROWD.
The result was that crowds OF angry and
disappointed people were to be seen outside
of the court. Inside the court resembled
the scene of some highly fashionable recep-
ton rather than law court where an i'm
portant case was 60 be brought TO trial.
Women predominated in the audience. The
first tremor of excitement was caused
by the arrival in the court room of Sir
William Gordon Cumming, the plaintiff.
accompanied by his counsel Solicitor General
Clarke and Mr.. Gill. Opposite to these legal
lights are Sir Charles Russell, Mr.. Aisquith,
y. c., and Arthur Russell, who srrived
promptly and almost at the same time as
Sir William Gordon Cumming, accom-
panied by the defendants The plaintiff
was cool and calm. but apparently not in
the best of humor.
ARRIVAL OF THE PRINCE OF WALES.
The heir-apparent entered the court
shortly after II O'Clock, accompanied by
Sir Francis KnolIys, X. M. @ g., his pri-
vate secretary. The prince and his secre-
tsry were escorted to seats especially re-
served for them on the bench and on the
left hand OF the lord chief justice The en-
trance Of the Prince of Wales was the signal
for the court proceedings to commence.
No sooner was the prince seated than
the jury was sworn, and Lord
Chief Justice Coleridge, taking his seat on
the bench and addressing the solicitor gen.
eral, Mr.. Clarke, the leading council for the
plaintiff, said In substance, that he desired
that the Prince Of Wales should be kept In
court as short time as possible, and he,
Lord Ooleridge, hoped that his learned
brother would agree to arrange matters so
that the prince should not be detained any
longer than absolutely necessary.
THE SOLICITOR TAKES IT COOL.
To this the solicitor replied calmly that
he could not say exactly when the prince
would be called to give his testimony In the
case, but he begged to assure the lord chief
justice that he desired most heartily to serve
the princes convenience 80 far as possible.
Lord Chief Justice Coleridge thanked his
learned brother for his courtesy in this
matter. and wished It to be remembered
that the Prince of Wales did not attend
court as a spectator, but that he did so in
obedience to the law.
OPENING OF THE CASE.
Sir Edward Clarke opened the case for
the plaintiff. In so doing he read the much
talked-of document which Sir William
Gordon Cumming signed after the discov-
cry Of his alleged cheating at cards, and in
which be undertook as the price of silence
of his fellow-players on the subject never
again to play cards. Sir Clarke said that
Sir Cumming had made great mistake in
signing that document, but he explained
that the plaintiff had allowed himself to be
persuaded by his old friends, Gen. Owen
Williams and Lord Coventry, hoping that
in so doing he would AVOID a scandal, which
his friends seemed to dread.
SIR CUMMING IN THE BOX.
When he had concluded Sir Cumming
took the witness box. He entered the box
in cool, jaunty manner, and gave his
version of the Tanby Croft affair. He
answered the questions In a clear and well
pitched voice, which could be heard all over
the court room, and kept his back
turned toward the Prince of
Wales. The baronet concluded
his testimony with solemn and impressive
deuial that be ever cheated at cards at
Tanby Croft or anywhere else. The cross
examination Of the plaintiff was then COM
menced by Sir Charles Russell, leading
counsel for the defendants. The court ad-
journed after hearing further testimony
for the plaintiff. The Prince Of Wales re-
manned throughout the entire session.