Compare Documents

OSCAR WILDE IN POLICE COURT. An Examination of Several Witnesses in London's Notorious Case.

LONDON, April 11. -- Oscar Wilde and Alfred Taylor were arraigned for examination in the Bow Street Police Court this morning.

Wilde was defended by Commoner Clarke, who announced that he would not cross-examine any of the witnesses until they testified at the trial of the charges against Wilde.

Counsel for Alfred Taylor examined Parker, who said that he was twenty-one years of age, and had committed offenses with many persons.

The owner of the private hotel in St. James's Place, mentioned in the previous proceedings, testified that Wilde had rooms in his house from October, 1893, until April, 1884, and was visited there by a number of young men, including Parker, Taylor, and Atkins.

Atkins testified that in 1892 he went to Paris with Wilde, and remained there a few days. He denied the charge of misconduct. Wilde gave him a silver cigarette case, which cost £3. He acted as Wilde's secretary for about half an hour.

A witness named Shelley detailed the circumstances of his dining with Wilde in 1892. Subsequently he wrote to Wilde, asking him to terminate their friendship.

Mr. Matthews, a partner in the publishing house of Matthews & Lane, testified that he had seen a letter from Wilde to Shelley, and a communication on the subject made to him (Matthews) by Mr. Lane, had led to Shelley's leaving their employ.

It is reported that Wilde has been ill since his confinement in jail.

LONDON, April 6 - Oscar Wilde's friend Taylor was arrested and taken to the Bow st police station this morning.

Wilde was arraigned before a magistrate this morning and charged with inciting young men to commit crime and also with having actually committed immoralities himself.

The audiences at the Haymarket and St James theaters, where Mr Wilde’s plays are being given, were rather small last evening, but they made no hostile demonstration.

At St James there were few persons excepting those who had bought their tickets in advance. The gallery was somewhat critical, and two or three audible comments confused the players slightly.

The Daily Telegraph says in a leader on Wilde’s case: "It was a just verdict and must be held to include with Wilde the tendency of his peculiar career, the meaning and influence of his teachings, and all the shallow and specious arts by which he attempted to establish a cult, and even set up new schools of literature and social thought."

The Westminster Gazette, commenting on the results of Wilde's prosecution of the marquis of Queensberry, says:

"The case proves that it is untrue to say art has nothing to do with morality. Wilde’s art rests on a basis of rottenness and corruption."

When Wilde was arraigned in the Bow st police court this morning, Alfred Taylor was also placed in the prisoners dock, charged with being accessory.

As Taylor stepped into the dock Wilde smilingly recognized him.

Taylor is a man of medium size, with sharp features and a fair complexion.

Charles Parker, 19 years of age, was the first witness examined. He gave in detail the particulars of his introduction to Wilde by Taylor, and stated that the latter said Wilde was "Good for money."

Parker testified that he had frequently dined with Wilde at various restaurants, and detailed the conversation between them on those occasions. Parker described the conduct of himself and Wilde at these meetings, and swore that he had received money and other presents upon almost every occasion.

The story told by Parker, if true, proves the case of the treasury against Wilde.

Counsel for Wilde and Taylor reserved their right to cross examine Parker.

Wilde and Taylor were remanded in custody. A request was made that the prisoners be admitted to bail, but bail was refused.

PLAY UNDER THE BAN. Rose Coghlan Refuses to Present Wilde's "A Woman of No Importance."

NEW YORK, April 6 - A Detroit special says that after last night's performance of "A Woman of No Importance" by Oscar Wilde, Rose Coghlan made the following announcement:

"That is the last time I will ever present that piece. I cannot take Wilde's name off the bills without breaking my contract, and I shall simply drop the play entirely. The opinion of the people is against the play since the publication of the scandal, as is shown by the falling off in advance sales."