The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-07-23
BEFORE THE HOUSE OF LORDS ON
CHARGE OF BlGAMY.
THE ACCUSED PLEADS GUILTY
After the Question or Jurisdiction.
Raised by the Defend ant, had Been
Argued and Decided Against Him.
Sentenced To Three Months Imprfs-
onment-Thc Trial Conducted with
all the Quaint Forms and Ceremonies
of the Middle Ages.

LONDON. July M--Eart Russell, ar
raigned at the bar OF the house OF lords
today for trial on the charge Of bigasay.
pleaded guilty after long arguments
against the Jurisdiction OF the court.
The trial was carried on with all the
quaint middle age ceremonies. The ar
guments lasted one hour. Both the earl
and Countess Russell (Mrs. Sonerviiie).
through their counsel pleaded they did
not know they were doing wrong, but
had acted on the best legal advice oh
tainable in Nevada.
The peers reached their decision after
consideration of the case lasting twenty
minutes.
Earl Russell was sentenced TO three
months Imprisonment as a first class
misdemeanant.
The scene in the royal gallery, tenn
porarily converted into a court C. justice
when the lord high chancellor, Lord
Halsbury, who had been appointed
Lord Steward for the occasion, took his
seat upon the dais and the quaint GER
emonial began, was most picturesque
The hall was a magnificent blaze OF
color. produced by the robes OF the
peers. the academy robes of the judges
and the brilliant uniforms Of high state
officers. About 200 of Earl Russelrs
peers attended his trial. Lord Sails
bury, the premier, brought up the rear
Of the procession and was almost unno-
ticed as he took his seat nea: Lord
Halsbury
Immediately beneath the dais sat the
ten judges in their gorgeous robes. sur
rounded by a phalanx OF lesser legal
luminaries. On either side Of the judges
were ranged five benches filled with
peers whose rank was distinguish
by the varying number OF rows OF er-
mine and gold lace on their scarlet man.
ties.
The benches reserved for peeresses
were amply filled. while the space al
iotted to distinguished strangers was
crowded with diplomats and their famf-
lies. including United States Ambassa-
dor Choate.
Mollie Cook, otherwise Mrs. Somer-
Vile. Earl Russelrs present wife. e.
tered the hall by ticket and sat facin,.
the benches occupied by members OF tie.
house of commons.
Among the witnesses who entered the
hall was Judge Koelher, OF Nevada.
who took seat beside the clergyman
who married Earl Russell TO Mabel
Scott, his first wife.
The court was formally opened by a.
series of quaint ceremonies and the ex-
change Of stately phrases prescribed in
the ancient legal procedure. Beside
Lord Halsbury, in his earl's robes and
full bottomed wig, stood General Str
Michael Biddulph, gentleman usher of
the black rod. and William Henry We'll
don. Esq. the norroy king-at-arms, In
resplendent tunic.
Our sovereign lord and king.
shouted the norroy king-at-arms.
charges and commands all manner OF
persons to keep silence on pain of Inn.
prisonment."
After further formalities Earl Russell
was conducted to the bar. He wac
dressed in a gray suit and wore a red
tie. clerk of parliament cried loud
ly:
John Francis Stanley. Earl Russell.
come forth and surrender TO bail or for
felt recognizances."
Black rod. bedecked with medals and
in uniform, approached the bar. which
was raised as the earl drew near. and
/ surrendered Earl Russell. Then the IN
dictment was read by the clerk
His counsel objected to the Indictment
on the ground that the alledged oNense
| was committed outside Of the dom! mons
| Of his majesty King Edward
After the reply Of the prosecution TO
| the argument OF counsel for the defense.
Earl Russell, in a voice scarcely audi.
| BILE. pleaded guilty.
His counsel then addressed the house
| In mitigation. pleading that the accas-
ed had acted upon the best legal advice
| obtainable in Nevada; that the ofsense
| was merely technical and that no harm
had been done Mollie Cook.
| Lord Russell then addressed the house
IN the same strain, saying the decree
| obtained in the United States gave 20.
clal sanction TO the new marriage. Ear
| KusseH said he proposed to re-mafry
Aone Cook as early as possible. He
had acted in ignorance and with no in.
tention OF willingly defying the Iaw.
The peers retired to consider fhei.
verdict. On reassembling the lord high
steward announced that King Edward
had right to legislate for his subject,
! all over the world.
Lord Halsbury said while the crime
could not be passed over there were sew.
eraI mitigating circumstances. Iora
Russell had passed through long period,
OF trouble, mad experienced extreme
provocation and suffered much torture
Their lordships, not desiring to fnfIict
the full penalty upon Lord Russell. had
unanimously decided that justice would
De satisfied by his being Imprisoned %
Holloway prison for three months as 8
criminal in the first division.
Lord Russell then passed out Of fI7<
house in company Of the Yeoman UsI.
er OF the Black Rod. Near the door ~
| the house, Mrs. Somerville (the bfea.
nous wffe) Joined her husband. ana be.
fore he was removed to Holloway th4
couple We're allowed to confer in . rf<,sy
near the royal gallery.
The commission was then dissofve5
the lord high steward breaking his wanf