Kansas Independence Daily Reporter - Saturday, April 6, 1895

London, April 4. -- There was unabated interest today at the Old Bailey in the taking of testimony on the second day of the suit of libel brought by Oscar Wilde against the marquis of Queensbury. Oscar upon resuming his jlace on the witness stand, admitted that he had attended tea parties in the rooms of a man named Taylor, which were artistically furnished and in which perfumes were burning. He denied any improper relations having been permitted there. Wilde in his answer to questions put to him exhibited confusion and contradicted himself frequently.

Queensbury's attorney, Carson, plied him with questions which were in the main pitiless and unprintable. The cross-examination was concluded at noon, after having lasted six hours. Sir Edward Clarke, leading counsel for Wilde, then began the examination of his client by putting in evidence certain letters of the marquis in which he called upon his son Lord Alfred Douglas, to cease his "infamous relations" with the plaintiff, saying that his blood turned cold at the sight of their "infamous faces." He added: "I hear that Wilde's wife will petition for a divorce on the ground of unnatural crime. If you do not cease to let him disgrace us, I shall feel justified in shooting him on sight."

To this letter Lord Alfred replied: "What a funny little man you are."

After the production of other letters the case for the plaintiff was closed. Carson began his speech for the defense. It was terribly denunciatory of Wilde, who left the court-room.

Most of the newspapers are printing the testimony verbatim, but the character of the testimony is such today that the St. James Gazette says: The nature of the evidence and the whole circumstances of the case prove to be of such a character that we cannot repeat it. The English public is at the present moment involved in one of the worst orgies of indecency permitted by the operation of open law courts and an enterprising press."

The Daily Inter Ocean - Friday, April 5, 1895

LONDON, April 4. -- On the second day of the trial of the suit for libel brought by Oscar Wilde against the Marquis of Queensberry the audience was largely composed of lawyers and reporters. There were few notable persons present. Oscar Wilde, upon resuming his place on the witness stand, admitted that he had attended tea parties in the rooms of a man named Taylor, which were artistically furnished, and in which perfumes were burning. He denied, however, that he had seen Taylor in woman's costume.

Wilde, in his answers to the questions put to him, exhibited confusion and contradicted himself frequently. He also lost his temper. Mr. Carson's questions were in the main pitiless and unprintable. Mr. Carson's cross-examination of the plaintiff was concluded at noon, after having lasted, including the time of yesterday, over six hours.

Sir Edward Clarke, leading counsel for Wilde, then began his examination of his client by putting in certain letters of the Marquis of Queensberry in which he called upon his son, Lord Alfred Douglas, to cease his "infamous intimacy" with the plaintiff. He added:

I hear that Wilde's wife will petition for a divorce on the ground of unnatural crimes. If you do not cease to let him disgrace us I shall feel justified in shooting him on sight.

To this letter Lord Alfred Douglas replied by telegraph to his father, saying: "What a funny little man you are."

After the production of other letters the case for the plaintiff was closed and Dr. Carson began his speech for the defense. It was terribly denunciatory of Wilde, who left the courtroom as soon as counsel for the defendant began to speak.

During the course of his remarks Mr. Carson alluded to the course of Mr. Beerbohm Tree in forwarding to the plaintiff a copy of the anonymous letter handed to the English actor, whereupon Justice Collins said:

"There is no occasion to mention the name of Mr. Beerbohm Tree."

Mr. Carson in reply remarked: "Nor should I do so, my lord, had it not been that I received a cable message from him today asking that his connection with the case be fully explained."

"Every one understands that Mr. Tree's connection with the case is in every way honorable and praiseworthy," said the Justice in conclusion.

Among the letters produced in court, and addressed by the Marquis of Queensberry to his son, Lord Alfred Douglas, was one saying that Wilde was "a cur and a coward of the Rosbery type."

Most of the newspapers are printing the testimony in the suit almost verbatim, but the testimony is such today that the St. James Gazette says:

The nature of the evidence, and the whole circumstances of the case, prove to be of such a character that we cannot report it.

The Gazette urges that all such cases should be heard in camera.

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