New-York tribune., 1901-07-19
DETAILS OF THE TRIAL.
QUAINT CEREMONIES FOLLOWED BY
THE PEERS.
rRr Tn, Associated Pr.ss.I

rBv The Associated PressI
London July 1S-Earl Russell arraigned at
the bar Of the House OF Lords to-day for trial
on the charge of bigamy. pleaded guilty. and
was sentenced to three months imprisonment
The trial began at II O'Clock this morning.
and was carried on with all the quaint and
Middle Age ceremonies The arguments lasted
one hour The Earl and Countess Russell and
| their counsel pleaded that they did not know
they were doing wrong but had acted on the
best legal advice obtainable in Nevada.
The peers reached their decision after consid-
Grafton Of the case lasting twenty minutes.
The scene in the royal gallery temporarily
converted into a court of Justice when the Lord
High Chancellor Lord Halsbury who had been
appointed Lord High Steward for the occasion.
took his seat upon the dais and the ceremonial
began was most picturesque.
TWO HUNDRED PEERS PRESENT.
The hall was magnificent blaze of color pro-
duced by the robes OF the peers the academic
robes of the Judges and the brilliant uniforms
OF high state officers. Although the House Of
Lords was not represented in It's full strength,
about two hundred of Earl Russelrs peers at
tended his trial, and made an imposing array
as they filed into the hall. two by two. from be-
hind the throne. Lord Salisbury, the Premier
brought up the OF the procession. and was
| almost unnoticed he took his seat near Lord
Halsbury.
Immediately beneath the latter's dais sat the
ten judges in their gorgeous robes. surrounded
by phaanx of lesser legal Iuminaries. On
either side of the judges ranged five
benches filled with peers. whose rank was dis
tinguishable by the varying number of rows
of ernne and gold lace on their scarlet mantles.
The benches reserved for peeresses were amply
filled. while the space allotted to distinguished
strangers crowded with diplomatists and
their families.
Mollie Cooke otherwise Mrs. Somervllle. Earl
RusselPs present wife. entered the hall by
ticket and sat facing the benches occupied by
members OF the House of Commons She was
accompanied by n young woman dressed I'm
| gray, wearing a hat trimmed with cream lace.
| Mollie Cooke appeared no more concerned than
| the other witnesses OF the interesting scene
Among the witnesses who entered the hall was
Judge Curler. of Nevada. who took a seat be-
| side the clergyman who married Earl Russell
| to Mabel Scott, his first wife
THE CASE OPENED.
The court was formally opened by a series OF
| quaint ceremonies and the exchange of stately
| phrases prescribed in the ancient legal pro-
cedure. Beside Lord Halsbury In his earrs robe
/ and full wig stood General Sir Michael Bid
| dulph. Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod. and
| William Henry Weldon, esq. the Norroy King
| Of Arms in a resplendent tunic
| Our sovereign Lord and King" shouted the
| Norroy King Of Arms. charges and commands
| all manner Of persons to keep silence on pain of
| imprisonment"
| Another official. bended knee handed the
commission to the Lord High Chancellor who
while handing it back to another kneeIing clerk
| said:
| Tat
| is read"
After the necessary formalities Earl Russell
was conducted to the bar. He was dressed in
a gray suit and wore a red tie: he calmly sur
| Veyed his judges and his peers. Then clerk
| OF Parliament cried loudly:
john Francis Stanley, Earl Russell come
| forth and surrender to bail or forfeit recog-
nizances"
EARL RUSSELL BEFORE THE BAR
Black Rod. bedecked with medals and in uni
form, approached the bar. which was raised as
the Earl drew near, and surrendered Earl Rus
SELL Upon reaching his appointed seat Earl
Russell stood leaning against the table and
| then made obeisance three times to the Lord
| High Steward. He remained with bowed head
until the latter addressed the accused Then
| the Indictment was read by the clerk who con-
| cluded with these words
How say you my lord-guity of felony or
not guilty?"
Before Earl Russell could answer his counsel
objected to the indictment. on the ground that
| the alleged offence committed outside of the
dominions of his majesty King Edward. Dur
ing the course of the technical and tiresome
argument by the Earl's counsel the prosecution
summoned Judge Curler within the bar to con-
Ter on certain points raised in counseis argu-
menI
After the reply Of the prosecution to the argu-
ment of counsel for the defence, Earl Russell In
n rneix- Al lxl a
counsel then addressed the House in mitigation,
pleading the accused had acted upon the best
legal advice obtainable in Nevada and that the
offence merely technical
THE ACCUSED MANS PLEA
same strain. saying the decree obtained in the
United States gave social sanction to the new
marriage. Earl Russell said he proposed to re-