The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-06-09
HOT SHOT FOR THE HEIR.
Decided Sensation Caused BY the
Bold Address OF Sir Ed
ward Clarke.
The Presence Of Wales Did Not
Deter the Barrister From
Comment.

Gordon Cumming Cannot he Cashiersd
Unless tho Prince Is-Why He
Signed the Document.
LONDON. May 8.-When the trial of the
bnccarat scandal case was resumed to-day
Sir Charles Russell took up his address for
the defense, which was interrupted last
Saturday by the adjournment of court. Sir
Charles commenced by calling attention to
Sir William Gordon Cummings methods OF
playing baccarat, saying. III what Arthur
Stanley Wilson has sworn to took place it
excludes all that class Of suggestions, Of
which no trace appeared in the correspond
encs between Sir William, Gen. Williams
and Lord Coventry, to the effect that the
accusation arose from Misunderstanding
of plaintiffs system OF play Sir Charles
said that in his opinion the only course
open to Sir Edward Clarke. leading counsel
for the plaintiff, was to denounce the whole
accusation as an invention, and this he said,
would be fatal. WAS it possible for an
innocent man to adopt the course taken
by PLAINTIFF" asked the attorney. HE
says he did not ask to be confronted with
Witnesses because he was advised not to do
50. But the impulse of an honorable man
would have been to insist that his accusors
should be brought face to face with him.
Instead Of this, the jury had placed before
them the feeble suggestion that witness
mistook for acts Of cheating coubs trois. II
- {or Ia, - -
been explained, but there was not sylla-
BILE of suggestion of that kind uttered at
Iranby Croft. Plaintiff signed that paper,
and knew that so doing was the same as an
admission of guilt"
Sir Charles cleverly endenvored TO dis
count arrsignments of the Wilson family
and other members of the Tranby Croft
bacoarat party, which he anticipated would
in the territory can only be surmised In
be one of the few errors in the address which
Sir Edward Clarke would make for the othsr
side, concluding with the remark that he
confidently left defendants case in the
hands Of the Jury, being fully aware that
the latter would do their duty and their
verdiot uphold the evidence which was given
in their behalf.
When Sir Charles Russell sat down there
was rnurmur Of surprise. counsel for the
defendants having closed his address rather
unexpectedly. Solicitor General Sir Ed
ward Clarke, leading counsel for plaintiff,
took the hoor and III i few sentences tarsa-
ly invited the attention of the jury. He
then commenced by saying that it had been
common talk that the prince of Wales con-
tinued presence in court during the trial of
this suit had been for the purpoae of re-
straining the tongues of lawyers engaged in
the case from commenting upon the prince
of Wales in connection with it. This
remark caused sensation, but was
nothing to what followed. Continuing,
Sir Edward intimated that the presence Of
the prince of Wales in court would not
prevent him from making any comment
necessary, saying that he (counseD had
painful duty to~perform, and that he in
tended to perform it honestly and fairly.
His opponents, he continued, had always
tor general" and he added, "while l am
proud OF the title, must remind the jury
that appear in this case simply as an En-
glish barrister, and am. obliged to disre-
gard friendship, and even my interests and
comment on the conduct and evidence of
one of the highest in the land" Sir Ed
ward Clarke, as he uttered these last words.
turned squarely around until he faced the
prince OF Wales, upon whom the eyes of
everybody in tle court room were
then fixed, who neryously crossed his legs,
while the audience was utterly
TO be tho audacity of the solicitor general.
In some directions the whispered comment,
why, he is going to attack the prince OF
Wales!' was distinctly heard and caused
all attention to be riveted on the plaintiffs
counsel.
marked that Sir Charles Russell, for the
defendants, had said that 'even it tho jury
found for the plaintiff and disregarded the
document tho latter had signed at Tranby
Croft the military authorities would take
the matter up and that Sir William Cor
from the army list" ~ wish to state in
unmistakabls terms,' said Sir Edward
Clarke raising his voice until it echoed |
teilingly through the court, that it would
be impossible for the authorities to do any
such thing and leave on that list the names |
of the field marshal, the prince of Wales, |
and Gen. Owen Wllliams.'
This bold statement seemed to complete |
ly take away the breath of the audience and |
caused by far the greatest sensation of the |
entire trial. hushed murmur of aston
ishment not unmixea with dismay and |
One must thoroughly understand the almost !
religious Worship of royalty which prevails
throughout Great Britain to clearly appre-
ciate the full meaning of the crushing sig
nifcance of the solicitor generals words
aimed directly at the heir apparent
k1lI lluWulu lOllONcu #lLA dH hTIuiRN-
ment of the Wilson's which was most severe
and cutting. "Yes," exclaimed the solici-
tor general. referring to the Wilson's, they
undoubtedly have money, but even if Sir
VIM. Cumming would condescend to take it
from such n source, shall not ask the jury
to fix the damages beyond a nominal sum-"
The solicitor general also dwelt strongly
upon the fact that the prince of Wales,
Gen. Williams and Lord Coventry all
passed their opinion of Arthur Stanley
Wilson'S statement, which the latter
has since modified, and upon the fact that
the prince of Wales, lord Coventry and
Gen. Williams were satisfied that they had
not seen single suspicious acton the part of
Sir William Gordon Cumming. Sir HID
ward dilated upon the facility with which
people imagine things when they have been
previously advised of their probable exis-
tencc. and which newer really happen. He
said there was nothing in the accusations
against plaintiff that could not be EXPLAIN
d by the system of play Cumming adopted,
though the jury were asked to believe
plaintiff had descended to adopt
ing tricks OF the lowest sharper.
Tho solicitor general commented saroaa-
tically upon the ornamental position oecu-
pied by the head of the Wilson family who,
counsel said, was not consulted throughout
tho proceedings and who apparently had to
Green, who was deputed to defend the FAM
ily honor. "a man of the mature nge of
b." said the solicitor general outtingly,
to Green, "who rode to the
hounds four days in the week. When
4. Al.