New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-06-10
CUMMING NONSUITED.
PROMPT VERDICT FOR THE DEFENDANTS
NTHE BACCARAT TRIAL.


POSSIBLE POLITICAL RE-
SUITS OF THE CASE.
London. June 9.-The bsccarat trial came to an end
TO-DAY with a verdict for the defendants.
The Prince OF Wales. to the disappointment OF
many was absent on this the seventh and last day
a, the trial He was at the Ascot races
The Lord Chief Justice had hardly taken his scat
when Gene1sl owen Williams stepped to the front OF
the bench and said his face pale with emotion and
h,s voice husky with feeling:
any Lord, have to ask your protection. Yester-
dsr Sir Edward CLARKE thought proper"
Hero the sohcitor-General, Sir Edward Clarke.
sprang his feet and, interrupting General Williams,
exclaimed
al ask your Lordship to interfere, and that Cen
eral Williams be allowed TO make state
ment, as be has not the privilege Of doing So
General Williams holly replied, in ringing voice,
all trace Of huskness having disappeared under the
influence Of the angry feeling which animated him:
q was accused Of an abOminable charge"
Here the Lord Chief Justice interfered saying
81 do not remember the expression, but do not
think that you be allowed to speak,
But General Williams persisted in being heard, rc-
marking angriy
ave were accused Of sacrificing an innocent man.
This statement made without any evidence being
brought forward for ito Justification"
Lord Coerldge again interrupted the General, 10
marking with considerable warmth
al cannot hear any statement from YOU" and i'm
mediately began his summing up, while General
Williams retired frOwning, to his seat where he re
,eived the coincidence Of the friends who had come
with Mm TO court in order to hear him defend him
self from the allegations made yesterday by the
Solicitor General IN the latters summing up for the
plaintiff.
THE LORD CHIEF JUSTICE SUMS UP.
The Lord Chief Justice at the opening Of his speech,
explained the jury OF length the difference between
action for Islander, this is and action for
libel. He added that if the jury found that the de
endants had spoken the truth their verdict should be
for the Defendants but If the Jury thought broadly
that the charges they made not true. and that
Sir William Gordon Cumming did not do anything
wrong while playing baccarat at Tranby Croft in
september last their verdict must be for the plaintiff
Lord Coerdee then entreated the jury TO keep their
minds steadily on the evidence, and on the evidence
only.
Continuing the Lord Chief Justice analysed at length
the evidence given by the plaintiff, which evidence he
said was well worthy Of consideration. The plaintiff
he added, had his counters a piece Of white paper
and would have been less likely TO be detected if he
had as the Others did, put his counters the cloth
Of the table The Prince Of Waless presence at Tan
By Croft sufficient 10 explain Lycett Green's OBJ
lection TO Creating disturbance in the baccara
or elsewhere by calling attention 10 the actions which
he objected To on the part of sir William Gordon
Cumming.
Sir Edward Clarke, continued Lord Coleridge had
said that the eye what the aye expected TO see and
undoubtedly persons had their minds set certain
things less proof sufficient TO satisfy them than
would be otherwise needed. But the question was
whether or not the observation referred to would apply
I'm this case Sir Edward had commented upon Berkeley
levett's exclamation Good God Sir William Gordon
Cumming caught cheating" But suppose that the re-
mark had been: Good Heavens the Archbishop Of
Nova Scotia preate OF the Order OF the SON. caught
selling Hvingl" laughter. There would have been
nothing unlikely in such an exclamation
Lord Colerdge also called the attention Of the Jury to
observation made behalf of the plaintiff In the
of the trial. to the effect that there twas more
in the case than appeared the surface" against
this he remarked, g most emphatcay protest The
jury has nothing TO do with things which not the
surface You have to confne yourselves TO the singh
issue, and what you have heard and what has been
proved during the trial"
Lord Colerdge said that Sir William Gordon Cumming
did not there make fortune and that his char
acter would be sufficiently cleared by the jury awarding
him. should the evidence warrant IT, small amount OF
damages The Judge also Described at length the high
10 ition and brave Of Sir William saving tat tie
latter went to Tranby Croft hOnored guest, and
"if might be permitted TO say so, sort Of prize
guest OF whom any hostess might be proud
THE PRINCES RELATION TO THE CASE
Referring to the Prince of Wales's connection with
the case Lord Coleridge remarked:
"People may say what they like, but they are all
very much pleased to have such guests the Prince of
Wales Lord Coventry and Lord This and Lord That in
their houses Qaughter) Then, to the position OF
the Prince Of Wales, and 10 the desire for secrecy
manifested by the party at Tranby Croft, il not
natural that with such monarchcal institutions ours
such wish should have existed II must be remem-
bered that such Incidents brought before hard
judging wOrId-not before the loyal and subserv1ent
world Of the TncOrs, but before world whose sense
and judgment had 10 be consulted surely, it was not
10 be said against man that under these circum-
stances he was anxious 10 keep the scandal quiet
At this point the court adjourned for luncheon.
During tho discussion which followed the remarks OF
Lord Chief Justice, the general opinion expressed
that the charge was against Sir William Gordon
Cumming, although nothing decisive had been said
either way. Lord Colerdge spoke in quiet, fatherly
conversational manner 10 the jury, and often in
undertone. When he defined the law Of libel dis
tnguished from the law Of SANDER. and when he
special instructions in regard to the amount Of dam
ages il was considered that Lord COeridge's nstruc
tons decidedly favored Sir william Gordon Cumming;
but when he analysed the evidence Of the defendants
and that Of General Williams the Prince Of Wales and
Lord Coventry it was judged that this was, in effect,
an Endorsement Of their evidence.
After luncheon the Lord Chief Justice resumed his
summing mp While admitting the improbabihty Of
man Of Sir william Gordon Cummings position and
W ealth lowering himself TO oheat-and TO cheat his
1riend, Ilc fflufo VI NdltS-boTu NVicIl"kc hlouo
strong point against the plaintiff in calling the iury's
attention his fure to face his acclsers. The Lord
Chief Justice thdn said
ave have nov, come 10 very important point, In
my mind ! have carefully searched for, but have
been unable TO nd any contradiction Of the statement
that sir William Gordon Cumming was informed Of
Nh Lycett Green's desire be confronted with him.
II am wrong turning 10 Sir Edward Clarke, al de-
sire 10 be corrected"
Sir Edward at once arose and said that there was
no evidence that Sir William had been Informed Of Mr..
GREEN'S desire be confronted with the plaintiff Sir
Charles Russell for the defendant, read from General
WnNamss testimony that the latter had said in court
that he informed Sir William Gordon Cumming Of
Mr. Green's desire 10 be confronted with him. Lord
Colerdge when both lawyers had finished speaking on
the point. dwelt length upon IT, his remarks not
being in favor Of the plaintiff.
Continuing his reference to the Prince Of Wales,
Lord Coeridge said that the Prince was, he "pre