Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1891-06-09
Loyal Englishmen Dismayed at
Mr.. Clarke's Bold Words.
HANDLING WALES ROUGHLY.
The Greatest Sensation of the Baccarat Trial
Caused by CIarke's Speech.
he Literally Flags the Wilson's Alive with
His Sarcastic Utterances About the
Society They Move in-Prince
of Wales Remembered.


~ anu alter lllt opening OF court TIE SllLt
scenes which were witnessed on each DAY
of the trial last week Were repeated. with
the exception OF the fact that much of the
noise aud hustle on the Strand wds wanting
to-day, owing to the omnibus strike. On
the other hand there WAS an increase in the
humble of -four wheelerS, -'hanSomS,'
and other such vehicles arriving and de-
parting al ana about the new law courts,
and all or nearly all of the faShionaDleS OF
last weeks audiences managed TO appear
fully equipped with luncheon baskets ami
TASKS in their now familiar places.
Sir Charles Russell. upon the opening of
court, resumed his address for the defense,
interrupted on Friday last by the adjourn
ment of court. Sir Charles commenced by
calling attention to Sir William Gordon
Cummings method Of playing nacCarat,
saying: IF what Mr. Wilson swore 10.
took place, ii excluded all that class OF sug-
geStiOnS OF which no trace appeared IN the
spOndence between Sir William Cor
don Cummings, Gen. owen Williams and
Lord Coventry. to the effect that the accusa-
ton arose from misunderstanding Of
plaintiffs system of playing what IS kuo wn
as
coup DE TRors."
The evidence for the defense continued
Sir Charles. had given a variety Of detail
which pointed out the truth rather than It
parrot-like repetition of alleged events
Sir Charles said that in his opinion the only
course open to Sir Edward Clarke. leading
counsel for the plaintiff. which. he added,
would be fatal. WaS to GenounCe the Whole
accusation as an invention. Now" said
Sir Charles. in regard to the events which
resulted from plaintiffs leaving YanDey-
Croft without seeing anybody III the house
into which he had been introduced as
friend of the Prince of Wales, with full
knowledge that he was leaving behind him
tod, ft.,,,. -
evidence given is needed il comes from the
acts and from the conduct of the plaintiff
himself. who WIS Goubiy condemned by the
independent testimony of a witness who
had no motive against him. but every mo-
tive TO prevent "A scandal. and by his own
conduct when brought face 10 face with the
accusation made against him. Was it pos
course taken by plaintiff! He says
that he did not ask to be
confronted with the witness because he
was advised not to do 50, but the impulse of
an honorable man would have been TO insist
that his accuserS should be brought face to
face with him. Instead OF this the jury
had placed before them Il feeble suggestion
that the witnesses mistook for acts of
cheating Coupe de TrOis.'' If this was so
the plaintiffs conduct could have been ex-
planned, but there was not a syllable of
suggestion of that kind uttered at Tanby-
Croft. Plaintiff signed that paper and
knew that by so doing 1t was the same as
an admission of guilt
Sir Charles Russell then dwelt at length
upon the testimony of Berkely Leyett.
Counsel for the defendants showed that
Levett was anxious TO be able to shield or
be OF service TO the plaintiff for the sake of
their past friendship and for the sake of
the regiment 10 which hey both belonged.
but, said Sir Charles, - he mad the man
illness to declare that Sir Gordon Cumming
was guilty, as he could not refuse TO believe
his own eyes Sir Charles Russell then
cleverly endeavored to discount the arraign-
ment of the Wilson family and other MEM
berS of the Tan byCroft party which he an
ticipated would be one of the features of
the address for the plaintiff which Sir Ed
ward Clarke would make for the other side.
He concluded with the remark that he in
definitely left the defendants case in the
hands OF the jury, being wholly satisfied
that the latter would do their duty, and by
their verdict uphold the evidence which
had been given in their behalf.
When Sir Charles sat down after having
made most able speech for the defense,
there was a murnur of surprise, counsel
for defendants having closed his address
rather unexpectedly.
Hardly had Sir Charles taken his seat.
and while defendants counsel was still ra-
ceiving the congratulations of his friends,
Solicitor-General Sir Edward Clarke, lead
ing counsel for the plaintiff. took the floor
and in d sentence. Iersely invited the atten-
ton of the jury, his whole manner indicat-
ing that u sensation was coming. Sir Ed
ward Clarke commenced by saving that it
had been common talk that the Prince of
Wales continual presence in court during
the trial of this suit had been FOR the pur-
pose of restraining the tongues of the law
yers engaged Ill I iie case from commenting
upon the Prince of Wales connection with il.
This remark caused a sensation but it was
nothing to what followed the further utter
anceS Of the counsel for the plaintiff. Con-
tinuing, Sir Edward Clarke intimated that
the Prince Of Wales presence in court
would not prevent him from making any
comment necessary, saying that the coun-
sci had painful duty TO perform, and that
he intended to perform 1t honestly and
fairly. His opponents. he continued. had
always been careful to allude to him (coun-
SCI for the piaintiff) as solicitor-general.
And he added: While | am proud of that
title, l must remind the jury that appear in
this case simply as an English barrister. and
/ am Obliged 10 disregard friendships, and
even my own interests, and comment on the
conduct and evidence of one of the highest
in the land Sir Edward Clarke, as he Ut
tered these last words, turned squarely
around until
he FACED THE PRINCE
of Wales, upon whom every eve in the
court was then turned. and who nervously
crossed his legs, while the audience was
utterly aghaSt at what was considered TO
be the audacity of the solicitor general. In
several direction the whispered comment.
why he is going to attack the Prince of
Wales was distinctly heard and caused
all attention to be riveted upon the plaintiffs
counsel
Continuing. the solicitor general re-
marked that Sir Charles Russell for the de-
PENDANT had said that even if the jury
found for the plaintiff and disregarded the
document the latter had signed at Tanby-
Croft the military authorities would take
the matter up and Sir Edward Cummings
name would be stricken from the army list"
Il wish to say in unmistakable terms ex-
claimed Sir Edward Clarke. raising his
voice until it echoed tellipgly through the
court. that it would be impossible for the
authorities 10 do any such thing and 10
leave on that list the names of Field Mar
shall Prince of Wales and Gen. Owen
Williams. -
This bold statement seemed TO completely
take away the breath of the audience and
caused by far the greatest sensation of the
entire trial. A hushed murmur of aston
ishment not unmixed with disnay and some
irritation and lasting several seconds swept
here and there about the courtroom like
breakers on rocky coast
One must thoroughly understand the al
most religious worship Of royalty which |
prevails throughout Great Britain, to
understand the full meaning and |
significance Of the wosss Of the |