Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1891-06-09
BOLD SIR EDWARD.
A Straight Tip" Given the
Prince of Wales.
IN THE SAME BOAT WITH CUMMING.

The PLAINTIFFS Counsel in the Bacearat
Scandal Case Nearly Lifts the Hair
from the Heads OF His Listeners-Out-
and-out Declaration That Sir William
Cannot BE Given the Army Grand
Bounce Without Some Very Distin-
guished Company-C comments on the
Case.
LONDON. June 9--If there was any one
in the audience at the Cumming trial yes
terday who thought there was divinity
that hedges about a king. that persons
faith in royalty received rude shock
when Sir Edward Clarke uttered words
that will make the case one of the most
famous in the history of British law.
There was a sensation when a few days
ago one of the jurors arose and ques-
toned the Prince Of Wales. but ii was
nothing 70 the stir that Sir Edwards re-
marks caused. Sir Charles Russell, coun.
sci for the defendants, closed his speech
yesterday morning. and it goes without
saying that it was brilliant effort. A
feature of his speech and also of the whole
trial had been the frequent reference to
Sir Edward Clarke a solicitor general"
the evident imputation being that he was
handicapped by his official position.
Not That Kind of Man.
Sir Edward took early occasion 10 al
lude 10 this and TO inform whom il might
concern that he appeared in the case a. a
barrister and not a. solicitor general. and
would do his duty regardless Of the conse-
quences TO persons. high or low 1t had
been bruited about that the purpose of the
Prince. Of Wales continued presence in
court was TO restrain any comment by the
lawyers on his position relative to this
case. He sir Edward would not he in
fiuenced 70 utter one word more or less by
thst presence. Then came the thunder.
clap that made the aristocrsss present
opentheir eyes Sir Edward quoted the
assertion made by Russell that if the Jury
acquitted Cummings the army would take
the matter up and strike his name from
the roll.
Rough on Wales and Williams.
In a voice that could be heard by every
one in court Sir Edward said that if the
officials Of the army did this it would be
impossible for them to leave on the army
records the names of the prince of Wales
whom was one of the guests at Tranbv
Croft when the alleged cheating took
place, and was also prominent in obtain
ing Cummings signature tothe document
ne was forced to sign. Sir Edward then
went on 10 say that there was nothing in
the charge that could not be explained by
cir William system of play. The Prince
Of Wales had condemned an intimate
friend without hearing.
The Subtle Influence of Royalty
Looking the prince in the eye Sir Ed
ward asked what the reason was that re
quired the signing of the document 1t
was TO save the prince of Wales There
was the strange and subtle influence of
royalty to di"tate Cummings acts. The
influence which had adorned history and
made many knight do an unknightlv
and dishonoring deed to save their king.
because they gave their honor "a freely as
they would give their lives for the in
terests Of the dynasty. TO conceal the
foibles Of a prince. slight applause which
was checked. The document was signed
TO save the prince from scandal The
motto Of the Cumming was Without
Fear" The plaintiff had gone into the
witness box without fear, confident that
the verdict of the jury would wipe the
stain from his record Of noble service in a
gallant regiment
Sacrificed for the Prince.
Sir William Gordon Cumming was lovaI
70 the prince. He was willing TO sacrifice
himself IN order TO save the reputation of
one the recollection Of whose friendship
will always he bright in his memory. Then
turning TO tha jury Sir Edward said: IT is
too late to undo much of the mischief that
has been done Then faciuc tho rriroa
and looking directly in his face. Sir Ed
ward said: 1t may he too late TO save the
reputation of some mentioned in this case.
but not too late TO prevent the completion
of hesacrifice of a gallant officer At
the conclusion of Sir Edwards speech the
court adjourned for the day.