The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-06-07
The Bsccarat Scandal.

The revelations in the baccarat scandal,
which is now occupying the attention Of a
London court, have stirred the religious
world of England to its profoundest depths.
! The scandal is the sensation of the British
capital, and the court room is crowded day
after day by members of tbs aristocrscy.
1t derives its Importance from the
fact that the Prince Of Wales,
the heir to the throne and the
prospective head of the church, is connected
with it, and not only attends the
trial. but has appeared on the witness stand.
Indeed, it was brought out in the evidence
that the prince was the banker in the bacca-
rat game at Tranby Croft where the alleged
cheating occurred, and that the counters
used in the game were his. 1t seems that
his practice is to carry around with him
gambling tools in order that gambling may
be INDUCED in at the country. houses where
he visits.
The question whether or not Sir William
Gordon-Cumming is guilty is not matter
of much consequences outside of the circle
in which he moves. and if it we're not for
the connection of the Prince of Wales with
the baccarat case the trial would not at
tract attention except in London. Iu seems
to be admitted that Sir William Gordon
Cumming is either fool or knave-a fool,
if innocent, for signing paper which con-
tanned that which amounted to a confession
Of guilt. and knave if he did that of which
he is accused. He declares that he was led
to sign the paper because he wished to pre-
vent tue scandal from becoming public on
the princes account. There were others in
the party who do not appear to have been
80 considerable Of the prince. Although all
were pledged to secrecy some began to roll
the scandal under their tongues almost as
5000 as the party separated, and found it
too sweet a morsel to be enjoyed alone
1t must be admitted that the prince has
not shrunk from accepting his share of the
odium growing out of the scandal. He
could have refused to appear in court as a
witness. He did not avail himself of his
privilege. however, and went upon the wit
ness stand and submitted to being ques-
toned by counsel and jurors just
as other witnesses did. His willing
ness and readiness to respond
to the requirements of the court will have
large and growing class of Englishmen
whose respect for royalty is not very great.
Religious people in England knew in
general way that the prince led rather
fast life The fact that he gambled-that
is, that he bet on horse races and played
cards for money in social games-was pub
lie property, but outside of his own set it
was not known that he was so addicted to
the gambling vice that he carried the tools
of what is a professional" game around
with him. 1t is not to be wondered at,
therefore, that religious people throughout
the British empire are passing resolutions in
which they condemn him for encouraging
vice among the people by his example, and
submit ito his royal highness that by his
conduct he offends the religious sense of the
people and drags the royal house from the
high position in which it stood. and tends
to lessen the loving and devoted affection of
the people for the throne"
If the prince should now ask parliament
to pay his debts or increase his allowance
he would most certainly meet with a de-
cided refusal. And the baccarat scandal
has given the radicals chance to assail
the throne such as they have not had for
long time. That they will improve it there is
no doubt. Indeed, their papers are already
commenting in very disagreeable manner
upon the fast life and questionable asso-
ciates of the prince, and call attention of
the people to the harm which the example
of the aristocracy does.
And it must be admitted that there are
things permitted in the social life of the
highest class in England which are not COM
mendable. Women of the best class in this
country may play progressive cuchre,
which has just been condemned by the
general assembly of the Presbyterian
church, but it would be a rare thing to
find any who habitually engage in
games where money is lost and won.
But in England, it seems, the gambling vice
has about as strong hold upon the women
as the men, and at Tranby Croft, where the
scandal originated, there were women at
the baccarat table
This baccarnt scandal contains a warning
for the Prince Of Wales. If he does not
change his course of life he will find
himself without the sympathy of the masses
of his people when he becomes king.