The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-07-28
az IA MARoIrIsE DE EnNrENoY.

COTLAND'S High Court has on ap
peal granted decision in favor
of the holders of the office and
prerogatiyes of the usher OF the
white rod to the crown OF Scotland.
The defendants in the case are the
lord advocate of Scotland. representing
the British treasury. and a number OF
titled Scotchmen. including Lord Leith
of Fyvie, who. 1t may be remembered,
married the daughter of Derrick A.
January, of St. Louis. and who, after
acquiring a fortune in the steel busi-
ness. in which he embarked in America
on leaving the royal navy. to wed Miss
January. returned to England. bought
Fyvie Castle. and was created a peer.
The effect of this decision of the
highest court of appeal in Scotland is
that not only every scotchman, but also
every Englishman having home in
Scotland. on receiving any title from
the crown, may pay certain fees. TO
considerable amount. to the holders
of the office of white rod.
The office of usher of the white rod
of Scotland was created by King VIII
liam the Lion. Of Scotland. who be-
slowed 1t upon his natural son, VIII
compilation of laws and customs known
as the "Regiam Magistratum," men
ton is to be found of certain
Thomas lie User" Robert IL, by
ence bestowed the Office of white rod
of Scotland upon Alexander de Cock
burn and his heirs directing him as
such to attend upon the sovereign at
parliaments and feasts,' and further
decreeing that he should have ian
allowance for two men in, armor. two
archers. sword bearers, and their fami-
lies" Robert Ill gave a crown char
ter of confirmation in favor OF Alex
ander de Cockburn. besides comforting
upon him the baronies OF Langtoune,
of Boltoune. and of Carrodyne.
Mary, Queen of Scots. ignoring the
hereditary rights of the Cockburns OF
Langtoune, in Berwickshire, gave the
office to John, fifth Earl of Fleming,
while Charles l., on his accession TO
the throne. accorded II to James MaA-
we'll, of Innerwick, and Went so 1ar
as to order the Imprisonment of Sir
William Cockburn for having appeared
on the opening of Parliament carrying
a white wand before. the King without
havirig received authority or summons.
In 1851 the Cockburu OF the day. now
firmation in the office. But in. 1877
his descendant. the head of the house
of Cockburn for the time being. pc
came bankrupt and his barony OF
Langdoune and his hereditary oftice or
usher Of the white rod were sold BY
order of the Court of Session at tldln-
burgh, for the benefit of his creditors
In 1866 the Cockburns managed 10
were obliged to sell it again in 1890,
the purchaser on this occasion being
Sir Richard Campbell. who Is said TO
have paid as much as $6O,OOo Tor the
office.
In 1905 the office Of white rod again
came into the market, and was bought
by William Walker, OF Goats. for MS
son Patrick. This transaction was ON
cially confirmed, and Patrick Walker
appeared as usher of the white ROD
OF Scotland at the coronation Of George
w. at Westminster Abbey in 1921, and
was knighted by the King on tnal
occasion. When he died without Issue
his father passed. along with his es-
tate, by the terms of his will, to MS
two sisters, Barbara and Mary walker;
They left money to build the EplscopatI
Edinburgh, and founded for that OBJ
ject the Walker trust.
At Queen Victoria's coronation the
claims Of their nominee or deputy,
Colonel Ainslle. We're not allowed; but
nee OF the Walker trust was more sue
cessful, and Sir George Anderson.
treasurer OF the Bank OF Scotland, was
present on behalf of the Walker trus-
white rod of Scotland during the cere-
mony. In 1898 the treasury committed
the salary of the ONCE, namely, Sl,aoo
year, at about twenty-seven years
purchase, and an amount Of $4,000
was thereby added to the Walker trust
fund This. however, did not in any
way impair the right of the office OF
usher OF the w-.ite rod of Scotland to
exact fees payable by dukes, mar
ouesses, earls land viscounts. as we'll
as baronets and knights, on their crea-
ton.
ally bestowed, had merely Scottish
honors in view. But when Scotland
was Joined to England u couple Nof
hundred years ago, the, claims Of the
usher Of the white rod We're quietly
and automatically extended to all the
titles Of the united, Kingaom s har
onetcies or knighthoods We're to be
created subsequently to the union;
these claims were tacltly allowed. and
until six years ago the Board Of Green
Cloth. presided over by. the lord stew
ard Of the royal household IN London.
collected these fees and RENTED them
The matter was brought to the
attention OF King Edward. and,a doubt
having been thereby raised in his mind
as to the right Of the Walker trustees