The sun., 1919-10-05
Oh Law Administered by Vehmgerichts Rife in Europe
Has Been Accelerated by oeVn
in Times Such Advanced Lands
Sanconng the Findings by Public OPINION

Is another American. q newspaper man
of the name of Reginald Lehrs.
But these Vehmgerichts are not
wholly incidental to great wars. They
operate sometimes In the piping days
of peace. The late King Edward, villa
was always averse to the publicity OF
social scandals whenever 1t could be
avoided on the ground that it served to
contaminate the popular mind, to fur
nish a bad example to the masses and
to excite their indignation against the
classes, was a great advocate of refer
ring everything possible to courts Of
honor.
A notable instance of this kind was
that of DR.. William Collins. who before
becoming the most fashionable ladies'
physician in London had been Surgeon
Major Of the Royal Horse Guards and
had retained his commission on the
reserve of that celebrated regiment.
One day it was discovered that he had
forged the name of a fellow officer,
Capt. Charles Selwyn, Member of Par
lament for Cambridge, to a promls-
sorry note for $4,000. Instead of call
ing in the police, Capt. Selwyn con-
suited a couple of his fellow officers,
and also the Colonel in Chief Of the
regiment, the late King Edward, then
Prince of Wales. At the heir ap-
parents suggestion, his equerry, Col.
Sir Nigel Kingscote, a man renowned
for his chivalry and lofty sense Of
honor; Lord Walsingham, High Stew
ard of the University Of Cambridge,
and Major Atherly of the Royal Horse
Guards, were drawn into council, and
formed court OF honor Qrom which
the Prince himself held aloof), the
idea being to save the regiment from
the stigma of having one of the off,
GERS on its reserve list prosecuted for
felony by a comrade of the same
corps.
He Breaks His Pledge.
DIR. Collins appeared before this
tribunal thus composed, and was in-
formed that for the sake of the regi-
ment there would be no criminal
prosecution, provided he severed his
connection with the army, resigned
from his clubs, paid the amount Of the
note, which had been taken up by
Capt. Selwyn and quilted Europe.
Moreover, he was required to sign
document confessing his guilt. Years
afterward, when he had returned to
England, in defiance OF his pledges, ne
became involved in criminal proceed
ings in connection with the death Of
a patient that led to the revelation OF
his forgery of Capt Selwyn's name.
The best known of these English
lynch courts is the tribunal formed
by the triumvirate of the Stewards Of
the Jockey Club of England. To-day
they consist of Lord Lonsdale. the
Earl of Durham, and of Lord Pen
rhyn. 1t is a great mistake TO imagine
that their Justice is resteted to &C.
currences on the turf. also deals
with violations Of the unwritten laws
Of honor and some years before the
war q we'll known sportsman who had
married into one of the Oldest houses
of the aristocracy and with the run
| ming Of whose horse no fault could he
| found, was warned off Newmarket
| Heath" by the Stewards of the Jockey
Club for certain dishonorable conduct,
unconnected with racing, but which
also led to the announcement in the
| Official Gazette, by the Lord Cham
berlain, in the name of the sovereign,
that his presentation at >court had
been cancelled and that he was barred
| therefrom. There is no more drastic
punishment than that contained in a
decree of being warned off Newman
ket Heath" by the Stewards of the
Jockey Club. 1t means ostracism Of
the most cruel form, both at home arl
| abroad. To any man with the slight
est sense Of honor. death is preferat!c.
and where there is no recourse to self
| destruction, expatriation and a change
Of name are the only alternative.