The Morning Post - Friday, April 12, 1895

THE CHARGE AGAINST OSCAR WILDE.

At Bow-street Police-court yesterday Oscar Wilde and Alfred Taylor were charged on remand before Sir John Bridge with offences under the Criminal Law Amendment Act.—Mr. C. F. Gill, with Mr. Angus Lewis, again appeared to prosecute; and the prisoner Wilde was represented by Sir Edward Clarke, Q.C., and Mr. Travers Humphreys, while Mr. Arthur Newton attended to defend Taylor.—Sir E. Clarke intimated that he did not propose to cross-examine any of the witnesses already called, as he could not hope to influence the decision of Sir John Bridge at that Court. The learned counsel only remained for a brief period in attendance.—In the course of further evidence given, Inspector Charles Richards testified to his arresting Wilde at the Cadogan Hotel on the evening of the 5th inst. The inspector said, "Mr. Wilde, we are police-officers, and a warrant has been issued for your apprehension." Wilde answered, "Yes, where shall I be taken to?" And the inspector informed him that he would have to go to Scotland-yard, and afterwards to Bow-street. The prisoner anxiously inquired, "Can I have bail?" But the police officer replied, "I don't think you can." The inspector afterwards searched the rooms occupied by the prisoner Taylor in Denbigh-place.—Inspector Thomas Brock well spoke to receiving Wilde at New Scotland-yard, and reading over the warrant to him. On searching the prisoner he found on him some letters, memoranda, and three writs, and also a letter from Taylor stating that Littlechild, the detective, had been to his (Taylor's) rooms. Two of the writs found on Wilde were issued at the instance of jewellers to recover amounts due for the supply of jewellery and cigarette cases. The prisoner also had in his possession 20 £5 Bank of England notes, and a cheque-book on the Westminster branch of the London and Westminster Bank. When the warrant against Taylor was executed and he was brought to Bow-street he exclaimed, on the warrant being read over to him, "Is that the only charge?"—Sergeant W. Harris, of the A Division, spoke to having watched the rooms occupied by Taylor at 13, Little College-street. It was Harris who arrested Taylor on the morning of the 6th inst., and when the officer took him into custody Taylor said to him, "I expected you last night."—After other evidence Mr. Gill asked for a further remand till next Thursday, stating that he should then hope to finish his case at an early hour.—Mr. Travers Humphreys applied that Wilde might be admitted to bail.—Sir John Bridge: No; I cannot grant bail.—Mr. Newton asked that Taylor should be allowed bail. The evidence against Taylor rested practically on the evidence of discredited persons, and Taylor's friends, who were most respectable people, were willing to become responsible for him.—Sir John Bridge: I think that the fact of a man who is concerned in a case of this sort being respectably connected is no reason for granting him bail. It is rather a reason the other way.—Mr. Gill said police officers would be called who would testify that they had known Taylor for years.— The prisoners were then remanded in custody for a week.