The Irish News and Belfast Morning News - Saturday, April 6, 1895

LONDON, FRIDAY.The hearing of the action brought by Mr. Oscar Wilde against the Marquis of Queensberry was resumed to-day at the Central Criminal Court.

Mr. CARSON, continuing his address for the defence, said he hoped he had convinced the jury that the defendant was justified in bringing to a climax the association of his son with Wilde. It would be his painful duty to call several young men to tell their own tale. He would show that Taylor acted on behalf of Wilde. Mr. Carson remarked with much emphasis that it was a wonder the man Wilde had been tolerated in London society so long.

Mr. CARSON was continuing his argument, when Sir E. Clarke and Mr. Mathews retired from the court for a moment. Wilde had up to this point been absent. Sir E. Clarke on returning whispered to Mr. Carson, who resumed his seat.

Sir E. CLARKE then, addressing the Court, said he had to make a statement under the gravest responsibility. Mr. Carson, by saying yesterday that he hoped he had said enough regarding Mr. Wilde’s letters and literature to influence the jury, relieved him from the necessity of dealing in detail with the other issues. He therefore asked on behalf of Mr. Wilde to withdraw from the prosecution and submit to a verdict of "not guilty" in respect to that part of the particulars connected with the publication of "Dorian Grey" and "Chameleon."

Sir Edward Clarke’s statement produced a profound sensation in court.

Mr. CARSON said the verdict of "not guilty" involved a verdict also of justification.

Justice COLLINS said that if the jury found a verdict of not guilty they would also find that the justification set up was true in substance and in fact, and that the statement was published for the public benefit.

The jury, after a moment’s consideration, returned a verdict of "not guilty" against the Marquis of Queensberry, the foreman adding that what he had written was published for the public benefit.

The JUDGE thereupon ordered the Marquis of Queensberry’s discharge from custody, and certified for costs.

The Marquis, on descending from the dock, was heartily congratulated by his friends, and the court soon rapidly cleared.

The Press Association, on inquiring of Lord Queensberry’s solicitors (Messrs. Russell and Day), is informed that it is not his lordship’s intention to take the initiative in any criminal prosecution of Oscar Wilde, but after the finding of the jury this morning in the libel action the whole of the documents with proofs of the evidence upon which the defence had intended to rely were forwarded to the Public Prosecutor, the Hon. Hamilton Cuffe.

ARREST OF OSCAR WILDE.

LONDON, FRIDAY NIGHT.Mr. Oscar Wilde was arrested between six and seven o’clock this evening, and conveyed to Bow Street Police Station, where he arrived at ten past eight.

The arrest was made by Inspector Richards at half-past six, at the Cadogan Hotel, Sloane Street, Chelsea, where Mr. Wilde, it appears, drove after leaving the Holborn Viaduct Hotel. Mr. Wilde’s visit to the hotel was of a casual character, he being accompanied by two gentlemen. Throughout the day the accused had been closely followed by two officers, and when Inspector Richards entered the hotel and asked for Mr. Wilde, it was stated that he was not staying there. This was virtually correct, but when the Inspector insisted that he was in the establishment and explained the circumstances, he was conducted to a room in the establishment, where Mr. Wilde was engaged with his two friends. The Inspector informed him that he was a police officer, and that he would arrest him, a warrant being out for his arrest. Mr. Wilde made no reply.

The Press Association understands that the charge alleged against Mr. Wilde is that of committing acts of indecency. Having been searched, Mr. Wilde was removed to the cells. Shortly after Mr. Wilde’s arrival at Bow Street a Mr Rosse, a friend of the prisoner, drove up to the station with a small Gladstone bag containing a change of clothes and other necessaries for Mr. Wilde, but after a short interview with the Inspector on duty, Rosse returned to his cab with the bar, having been refused permission to leave it. Later Lord Alfred Douglas visited Bow Street to inquire as to the possibility of the accused being bailed out, but it was explained that the prisoner had been arrested on a warrant for an alleged criminal offence, which admitted of no bail until prisoner had appeared before the magistrate. Lord Douglas appeared much distressed when he was informed that on no consideration could the authorities entertain his application. He was respectfully informed that the prisoner had a cell to himself, and had been supplied with a blanket and other requisites to make him as comfortable as the police regulations would allow. It will be Mr. Wilde’s privilege to receive food sent him from a neighbouring hotel if he so desires, pending his transference from the cell in the police station to the cells of the adjoining police court. At ten o’clock to-morrow morning Sir John Bridge, who signed the warrant for his arrest, will investigate the charge against Mr. Wilde, which involves a penal offence.

Irish Daily Independent - Saturday, April 6, 1895

London, Friday Night.

The Press Associations says — Mr Oscar Wilde was arrested between six and seven o’lock this evening, and conveyed to Bow street Police Station, where he arrived at ten past eight.

The arrest was made by Inspector Richards at half past six at the Cadogan Hotel, Sloane street, Chelsea, where Wilde, it appears, drove after leaving Holborn Viaduct Hotel. Wilde’s visit to the hotel was of a casual character, he being accompanied by two gentlemen. Throughout the day the accused had been closely followed by two officers, and when inspector Richards entered the hotel and asked for Mr Wilde it was stated that he was not staying there. This was virtually correct, but when the inspector insisted that he was in the establishment and explained the circumstances, he was conduced to a room in the establishment, where Mr Wilde was engaged with his two friends. The inspector informed him that he was a police officer, and that he would arrest him, a warrant being out for his arrest. Wilde made no reply.

In the custody of two officers, he was at once conducted to a cab, which conveyed the party to Scotland Yard, where Inspector Brockwell was waiting with the warrant for Wilde’s arrest. The formality of reading the warrant to the accused, and the administration of the statutory sanction having been gone through, Wilde hazarded no remark. The trio—Mr Wilde, Inspector Richards, and Inspector Brockwell—then drove to Bow street, where they arrived at ten minutes past eight o’clock in a four-wheeled cab. The accused the first to alight from the vehicle, and walked direct into the station, followed by the detectives. He was attired in a long black frock coat, dark trousers, and a silk hat. His demeanor was that of a gentleman self-confident of his own innocence of the charge alleged against him. He was at once placed in the prisoner’s doc in the charge room, and while the charge was being taken he stood with his hands in his pocket. Inspector Derby, who took the charge, read it to the prisoner, and warned him that anything he might say could be used in evidence against him. Mr Wilde maintained his sentence and his indifferent air.

Having been searched, Mr Wilde was removed to the cells. Shortly after Mr Wilde’s arrival at Bow street a Mr Ross, a friend of the prisoner’s, drove up to the station with a small Gladstone bag containing a change of clothes and other necessaries for Mr Wilde: but after a short interview with the Inspector on duty Mr Ross retuned to his cab with the bag having been refused permission to leave it.

Later, Lord Alfred Douglas visited Bow street to inquire as to the possibility to the recused being bailed out, but it was explained that the prisoner had ben arrested on a warrant for alleged criminal offences which admitted of no bail until the prisoner had appeared before a magistrate. Lord Douglas appeared much distressed when he was informed on no consideration could the authorities entertain his application. He was respectfully informed the the prisoner had cell to himself, and had been supplied with a blanket and other requisites, to makes him as comfortable as the police regulations would allow. It will be Mr Wilde’s privilege to receive the food sent him from a neighboring hotel. If he so desires, pending his transference from the cell in the police station to the calls of the adjoining Police Court at 10 o’clock tomorrow morning.

Sir John Bridge, who signed the warrant for his arrest, will intestate the charge against Mr Wilde, which involves a penal offence.

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