The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-12-16
Major Studdert Makes Eloquent
Speech in His Own
Defense.
NOT A ROMEO IN PAJAMAs.
Asked the Judge of English Court
to Say That Story Was Not
Only Improbable, but
Impossible.

| SPECIAL By CABLE TO THE NEW YORK
HERALD AND THE ST LOUIS REPUBLIC
London. Dec. 10-(Copyright. 1903 )-Ap-
plause for a correspondent is not COM
mon occurrence in divorce court proceed
inss, but it was heard to-day when Major
Studdert concluded his speech in his own
defense in the course Of the hearing of
the suit brought by Mr.. David Bispham.
! the operate singer. against his wife.
Major Studdert spoke for upward Of an
hour with forensic eoquence that many
a "K. c." might envy.
After informing the jury that 1t had
always been his desire to appear in per-
son to meet the charges against him. Ma
jor StIddert made n mastery analysis of
| the evidence against him.
Il will admit they have drawn up n
most formidable Indictment" he said, and
he then proceeded to show how the in
dictment was full of charges unsupported
by evidence. Three-fifths of the charges,
| he pointed out. had been backed by no
evidence whatever.
Referring to the manner in which he
Claimed the case against him had been
gotten up, the Major made use of a smile
| from the race courses. Every one had
heard he said, "of the manner in which
| an unsuccessful gambler would take I'D a
race card and at haphazard pick the name
! of some horse on 1t to back. In the same
| way" continued Major Studdert, this
gambler Of his wife and family, Mr.. Bisp-
| ram. seems to have taken up the calendar
| for 1895. and. shutting his eyes. marked
| certain dates on which to make his
| charges"
Turning to Mr.. Hargrave Dean, counsel
| for the plaintiff, Major Studdert then said:
My learned friend has drawn dramat-
ic picture of locked bedroom doors. He
has even introduced a Shakespearean ele-
nent with balcony scene in which am
supposed to be Romeo in pajamas"
The Major asked the Judge to say that
the story of his intrigue with Mrs. Bisp-
ham was not only improbable, but impos-
sible. Il have spent sleepless nights" he
added. thinking where l was and what /
was doing on the dates of the charges"
The incident of the diamond ring which
he gave to Mrs. Bispham to take charge of
for him was next discussed by the speak
err. A friend of his had advised him to
get 1t back. and said:
What will the Jury think II you do
not? But was not going to rush Off and
demand that ring" continued Major Stud
dert. Il will never demand that ring.
Mrs. Bispham can keep that ring If she
chooses as u mark of my confidence in her
innocence. BY heaven, she shall keep it
and my learned friend can put what con-
struction he likes on it,
Referring to a point make against him
that Mrs. Bispham had arranged flowers
for him in his rooms. in Sloane street.
fof yotl 4
told what those flowers were: Were
they" he asked, luscious roses. breath
ing passion and devotion? Were they
pansies. with an external remembrance of
love-? Or were they harmless forget-me-
nots?"
PLAINTIFFS counsel would no doubt make
great display over those flowers. The
point was similar to that of the famous
trial recorded in the 'Pickwick Papers"
The jury, would no doubt remember
that the harmless phrase. Chops and
tomato sauce became. in the eloquent
ing interest. There was nothing romantic
In Chops and tomato sauce but there
was very much romance in flowers. and.
faced by them. how could he hope to be
treated otherwise than roughly. There
was the advocate on the other side Of
the case who was no less eloquent than
Sergeant Buzfuz."
Counsel for the plaintiff began his
speech. but the case was not concluded
when the court rose for the day.
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