The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1904-10-04
BRITISH DIPLOMAT FINED
Third Secretary Gurney's Plea Of
Immunity Was Disregarded.
LOCAL JUSTICE APOLOGIES

For Speeding Els Autou obiIe Through
the Streets of Lee, Mass, Member OF
the British Embassy Was Arrested
and Fined by Justice PhsIps--Hls Re-
call Is Possible.
Lenox, Mass--Hugh Quincy. Third
Secretary to Sir Mortimer Durand, the
British Ambassador, who has been
spending the summer here, was fined
for contempt of court and for violating
the speed law relating to automobiles.
by Special Justice Fl. G. Phelps. in the
Lee District Court. Mr.. Quincy was
charged with running an automobile
through the streets of Stockbridge ait a
greater speed than fen miles an hour.
Mr.. Quincy, when arraigned in court.
positively refused to plead, holding
that as he was the Third Secretary to
his Britannia Majesty's Ambassador he
could not be arrested or held for the Of
Tense charged. Special Justice Phelps
said he did not recognize international
law in his court, and informed the de-
PENDANT that he must enter Il plea.
Despite this statement Mr. Quincy
continued in his refusal. Then a fine
Of $25 was imposed for contempt of
court. and another fine of $25 for vio-
lation of town ordinance.
Mr.. Quincy did not have in his pos
session sufficient money to pay the fine,
and was paroled in the charge of the
officer, Deputy Sheriff Noble, of Stock
bridge who had made the arrest. The
officer accompanied Mr.. Quincy to,
Lenox, where the money was secured.
Mr.. Quincy Immediately notified the
State Department, in Washington. Of
the act of the Massachusetts courts.
and the President was notified
Justice Phelps said that he found
nothing in the Massachusetts, common
law which exempted any one from
breaking the laws of the State, and he
acted accordingly.
Boston, Mass.-Governor Bates held
a conference with Assistant United
States District Attorney Nash and JUS
tice Phelps, as result Of which an
apology made by Justice Phelps has
been forwarded to Washington. p. G..
and the fine paid by the Third Assist
ant Secretary of the British Embassy
has been returned to him.
At the same time it is understood
that the Governor of Massachusetts.
while acknowledging the violation Of
the statute to safeguard international
courtesy, is determined to maintain the
dignity of the Commonwealth, and to
this end, accompanying the apology
from Justice Phelps was a suggestion
from the Governor to the United States
authorities that the British Govern
ment be requested to recall Mr.. Quincy
on the ground that in speeding his au-
tomobile faster than local laws permit
he failed to comport himself with the
dignity betting his Office
Washington, d. C.-Secretary Moody
was advised by a dispatch from the
United States District Attorney at B0s-
ton, Mass. that all the papers in the
case Of Third Secretary Quincy had
been forwarded by mail.
1t is not known whether the Massa-
chusetts authorities have asked the re-
call of the Secretary, but in case Gov
ernor Bates has made any such request
it win get no further than the State
Department, which will act on Its pre-
rogative in deciding whether there has
been breach Of international courtesy
or not.