The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-06-09

again and Afterwards directed the attention
| OF the prince of Walss, who was again pres
ent. 70 tho affair, and who. without hear
Ing sir Williams version Of the occurrence,
condemned his intimate friend.
What WAS sir William Gordon Cum
ming's rcason for signing tho document
about which 80 much has been saidp p
asked the solicitor general, looking straight
into tho prince Of Waiss' eyes. ''It was,' =
he said, after an effective pause, ito save
| the prince Of Wales. Among the mass Of
the people, Sir Edward continued, utter
1T In known that club or inn could be
prosecuted for playing baccarat. and in a
great part OF the community thero was q
feeling that this unhappy incident ought
never to hava been allowed to become
known, because the circumstances were
| those which were at variancs with the feel
ing. with the conscience OF the people.
Ihen there was the strange and subtle
influence Of royalty" still moro solemnly
and dramatically said the solicitor general,
and Sir William Gordon Cummings ac-
tion in signing that document was due to
that influence which has adorned history
and which has made many knight do an
nnknightly and dishonoring deed to save
his king, because they gave their honor AZ
freely az they would have given their lives
for the interests Of dynasty or TO conceal
the foibles Of prince A slight ripple Of
applause, which was promptly suppressed,
broke out in the court as the eloquent jur-
ist uttered the last words In most touch.
ing and impressive manner. "trhe doou-
lnent," continued Sir Edward Clarke with
increasing force and amidst the most dead
ly silence throughout the court room,
was signed by Sir William Gordon Cum
ming in order to save the prince Of Wales
from scandal. The motto Of Sir William
Gordon Cummings race Ia, Without Fear
He came into the witness box without fear,
confident of verdict which would wipe
this stain from his noble record of service
with his gallant regiment Of brave sol
diers"
Sir Edward Clarke's plain language
throughout. when he referred to the prince
of Wales, and the assertion that the precis
was prepared BY Lord Coventry
and signed by Sir William Gordon Cum
ming solely in order to shield the prince Of
Wales from scandal, caused one of the
greatest sensations of this sensations al trial,
and those who heard the remarks made
in court wsre so impressed with them that
they were generally discussed afterwards
and were commented upon in club and
other circles far into the night and early
morning. The solicitor general quoted, as
the basis of this startling allegation, an ex-
tract from the earl of Coventry's diary. in
which the following words occur: ''We were
induced to recommend this course because
we desired to avoid scandal, and in ordor
to keep the name of the prince of Wales out
OF it,"
''Sir William Gordon Cumming, as we'll
as the earl of Coventry" said Sir Edward.
been most kind to him, and sir William
Gordon Cumming signed that document
because he was willing to sacrifice himself,
rs his old friends were willing to sacrifice
him, in order to save the reputation
Of one,. the recollection Of whose
in his memory The solicitor-general said
slowly to the Jury:
IT ls too late to undo much Of the mis-
chief which has been done.'' Then, facing
the prince of Wales and looking the latter
direct in the face for about the space OF q
minute, he continued in voice apparently
shaken withYamotion, .and it may be too
late to save the reputation of some people
mentioned in this case.' Again turning TO
the jury, 'it 10 not too late for you to pre-
vent the completion of the sacrifice of this
gallant officer"
Sir Edward Clarke's speech was regarded
as n most eloquent and telling effort, and
as he closed his remarks there was burst
Of applause, cheering and hand clapping
throughout the court, which caused the
lord chief Justice to shout, "Silence, this ia
not theater.'' The lord chief JUSTICES
call had the desired effect; the applause
stopped, but as Sir William Gordon Cum
Lilly loS0 lICAl lib SeNb u IuluuGe ldGeF, ana
while the prince of Wales and Lord Cole
ridge were still on the bench, there was
renewal of cheering and hand clapping, of
which plaintiff appeared to take no notice.
Tho jury, it was plainly evident, appeared
greatly impressed with the speech of the
solicitor general, and as he ended it the re-
mark was heard throughout the court,
Cumming will get verdict, or at least
the jury will Disagree" The court ad-
journed until tomorrow, when the lord
chief jnstice will sum, and the case will be
given to the jury.