Democratic Sentinel, Volume 15, Number 22, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 June 1891 — THE PRINCE HARD HIT. [ARTICLE]

THE PRINCE HARD HIT.

UNMERCIFULLY SCORED FOR HIS GAMBLING. Sir William Gordon Cumming Has Been Irretrievably Ruined Positive I’root that He Cheated at Cards—Comment* of the Leading London Papers. The higest social circles of London have been in a state of feverish excitement over the famous trial for slander of the Wilsons, who charged Sir Wm. Gorden Cumming with cheating at baccarat. The Prince of Wales and several others—ladies and gentlemen—participated in the game, and at the trial it was shown that Wales owned the gambling outfit, and that he has been an habitual gambler. The trial is over, the Wilsons have been acquitted of the charge of Blander, and, in consequence, Sir William, has been found guilty of cheating. Notwithstanding, the higher circles unite in voicing the most intense indignation over the jury’s finding, and the press, in part, unites in the cry. Before the trial was finished, thePrince induced Cumming to sign a paper exonerating him (Wales) from all blame In the matter. But the evidence showed, that Wales was cognizant of the cheating. The comments of the leading papers make interesting reading. The Chronicle has a scathing art'cle in. which it condemns the jury’s finding and Lord Coleridge s partiality. It declares no evidence was adduced inconsistent with the hypothesis that Cumming merely played the well-known coup de trois.

It says the verdict means according to the jury that Cumming deliberately cheated an illustrious but impecunious friend by a trick requiring long and toilsome jears of practice to acquire, that though twenty years an habitual cardplayer, without provoking the slightest suspicion, he had suddenly plunged into a wild orgio, cheating the only man in the world on whose patronage his social and professional life depended. There is nothing incredible in Cumming’s signing the damning document on the strength of a statement of the Prince of Wales’ cringing minions, dooming him to a fate wor. e than death, in order to sale what the Prince of Wales is plea-ed io call his Honor Cumming is not the first gallant Scottish gentleman who has sacrificed both honor and life to the fervid passion of loyalty to the Prince, or whose devotion has been rewarded by cruel and cynical ingratitude. He has this satlsfact on, that no other man without the soul of a flunky has ever run the smallest risk for the sake of the he r apparent’s honor. lhe article, proceeding, flatly accuses the Prince of Wales of violating a pledge of secrecy, and calls U(on the authorities to indict Sir William Gordon Cumming for the criminal offense of cheating. It declares that if they do nor, the public will know what to think, and says that if the Duke of Cambridge shrinks from his duty in regard to the military offense, it is to be hoped that Parliament will not prove so pusillanimous. .The C/ironlcle finally asks what steps will be taken to vindicate justice In a crime which the Prince of Wales compounded by signing the compact of Sir William Gordon Cumming: or whether the infamous scandal will be hushed up forever. The StandarrZ says: “Even if the plaintiff comes out the worst in the affair, it must be admitted that the defendants and their friends have a somewhat tarnished reputation. The whole busine-s is ignoble from the 1 eginning to the end. There is an air of vulgarity and shabbiness about it. and it must, in common fairness, be acknowledged that the Prince of Wales can tbe wholly exempted from the censure passed on his associates, and we are sure he himself is acutely conscious of this. It will not be lightly forgotten that the Prince instigated the game and carried the apparatus with him 1 oubtless the pa'nful experiences will prove a lesson that a close and constant circumspection is required over every member of a family the lightest stain on whose dignity and delicacy is felt by us as something of a national disgrace.” The 'limes says the case ended In the only way in which impartial observers believed possible. It advises the Wilson family, which it accuses of being indirectly responsible for the tragic ruin of a fine career, to remain in social retirement. In regard to the important aspect of the case the Times says: “We express the’universal feeling of millions of English men and women when we soy that we profoundly reg et the Prince of Wales’ connection with the affair. Making every allowance for the monotony of royal existence, and admitting tie tact with which he performs his duties, if he is known to pursue questionable pleasures the serious publ.c, who are the backbone of England, will regret and resent it. We almost wish, for the sake of English society, that as the result of this unhappy case the Prince of Wales had also signed a declaration that he would never touch a card again.” Referring to the result of the bacca’at case., thq, Tost says; “We do not desire to add to the anguish over the sad ending of a brilliant career, but the fact remains that the signing of the document rendered it impossible for eminent and dexterous counsel to rehabi.itatc the honor which Cumming himself treated so lightly. Lord Coleridge took a .mst aspect of the Irinceof Wales’ connection and of the morality of baccarat. ” Sir William has stood at the head of the very highest social circles, but is now irretrievably ruined. His expulsion from the army will follow.