Nanaimo Free Press - Monday, May 27, 1895
This report was originally published in English. Machine translations may be available in other languages.
BOTH GUILTY.
Wilde and Taylor Sentences to Two Years' Imprisonment.
London, May 25 — There was the usual crowd of interested spectators in the court room of the Old Bailey this morning all anxious to witness the trial of Oscar Wilde. When the court adjourned yesterday, Sir F. Lockwood, solicitor-general, had just commenced his address to the jury on behalf of the prosecution, and it was expected he would denounce Wilde in strong language when be resumed his argument today. Wilde took his seat in the prisoners' dock, facing the jury, and looking extremely anxious. As expected, when Sir Frank Lockwood resumed his speech, he dealt very severely with Wilde in his reference to the prisoner's intimacy with Lord Alfred Douglass. Referring to the much commented upon letters which Wilde wrote to Lord Alfred Douglas, counsel said the jury had been told they were too low to appreciate such poetry, and he (Sir Lockwood) thanked God it was so, as be hoped they were above the level of beasts. (Applause.) Sir Edward Clarke, leading counsel for Wilde, here interposed objections to such appeals as has just been made by Sir Frank, which counsel claimed should not be allowed. Sir Frank Lockwood continued his speech. He warned the jury to render a verdict which would prevent such "a detestable and abominable practice to rear its head unblushingly in the country."
London, May 25.- There was the usual crowd of interested spectators in the court room of the Old Bailey this morning all anxious to witness the trial of Oscar Wilde. When the court adjourned yesterday Sir Frank Lockwood, Solicitor General, had just commenced his address to the jury on behalf of the prosecution, and it was expected that he would denounce Wilde in strong language when he resumed his argument to-day. Wilde took his seat in the prisoner's dock, facing the jury, and looking extremely anxious. As was expected, when Sir Frank Lockwood resumed his speech he dealt very severely with Wilde in his reference to the prisoner's intimacy with Lord Alfred Douglas. Referring to the much- commented upon letters which Wilde wrote to Lord Alfred Douglas, counsel said the jury had been told that they were too low to appreciate such poetry, and he, Sir Frank Lockwood, thanked God it was so, and he hoped that they were above the level of beasts. (Applause.) Sir Edward Clarke leading counsel for Wilde, here interposed objections to such appeals as were just made by Sir Frank Lockwood, which the counsel claimed should not be allowed. Sir Frank Lockwood continued his speech. He warned the jury to render a verdict which would prevent such a "detestable and abominable practice to rear up its head unblushingly in this country." Justice Wills began summing up at 1:30 p. m. The general tenor of his address to the jury was favorable to Wilde. The jury retired at 3:30 p. m.
London, May 25.— There was the usual crowd of interested spectators in the court room of the Old Bailey this morning to witness the trial of Oscar Wilde. When the court adjourned yesterday, Sir F. Lockwood, solicitor-general, had just commenced his address to the jury on behalf of the prosecution, and it was expected he would denounce Wilde in strong language when he resumed his argument to-day. Wilde took his seat in the prisoners’ dock facing the jury and looking extremely anxious. As expected, when Sir Frank Lockwood resumed his speech, he dealt very severely with Wilde in his reference to the prisoner’s intimacy with Lord Alfred Douglas. Referring to the much-commented-upon letters which Wilde wrote to Lord Alfred Douglas, counsel said the jury had been told they were too low to appreciate such poetry, and he, Sir Frank, thanked God it was so, as he hoped they were above the level of beasts. (Applause.) Sir Edward Clarke, leading counsel for Wilde, here interposed objections to such appeals as that just made by sir Frank Lockwood, which counsel claimed should not be allowed. Sir Frank continued his speech. HE warned the jury to render a verdict which would prevent such a detestable and abominable practice to rear its head unblushingly in this country. Justice Wills began his summing up at 1:30 p.m. The general tenor of his address to the jury was favorable to Wilde. The jury retired at 3:30 p.m.
London, May 25 — There was the usual crowd of interested spectators in the court room of the Old Bailey this morning, all anxious witnesses at the trial of Oscar Wilde. When the court adjourned yesterday, Sir F. Lockwood, solicitor-general, had just commenced his address to the jury on behalf of the prosecution, and it was expected he would denounce Wilde in strong language when presumed his argument today. Wilde took his seat in the prisoner’s dock facing the jury and looking extremely anxious. As expected when Sir Frank Lockwood resumed his speech, he dealt very severely with Wilde in his reference to the prisoner’s intimacy with Lord Alfred Douglas. Referring to the much commented upon letters which Wilde wrote to Lord Alfred Douglas, counsel said the jury had been told they were too low to appreciate such poetry and he, Sir Frank Lockwood, thanked God it was so, as he showed they were above the level of beasts. Applause.
Mr Justice Wills began summing up at 1:30 p.m. The general tenor of his address to the jury was favorable to Wilde. The Jury retired at 3:30 p.m., and after a brief absence found him guilty on all the counts of the indictment, including the charge with reference to persons unknown who were also pronounced to be guilty.
Alter a short interval the judge called Wilde and Taylor to the bar and they were each sentenced to two years' imprisonment at hard labor.
After a short interval the Judge called Wilde and Taylor, who were convicted last week of immoral practices, to the bar and they were each sentenced to two years' imprisonment at hard labor.
After a short interval the judge called Wilde and Taylor to the bar and they were each sentenced.
After a short interval the Judge called Wilde and Taylor, who was convicted of immoral practices last week, to the bar and they were each sentenced as already cabled to two years' imprisonment at hard labor.
While the jury was out, at the request of the representative of the Associated Press, Wilde's counsel procured the following statement from Wilde who was waiting in the prisoners' room below the dock: "The charges alleged against me are entirely untrue. Youth in every form has fascinated me, because youth has naturally that temperament to which the artist has to try to attain. All works of art are works produced in a moment of youth, and I have a sense of all the serial grades. I love society, the rich and well-born, on account of their luxury, culture and the graces of their lives, and the external accidents of comely life. But anyone, plough boy, fisherman, or street arab, has an interest for me. Mere humanity is so wonderful, I do not ask of the young what they do, I do not care who they are, their ignorance has its mode of wisdom, their lack of culture leaves them open to fresh and vivid impressions. (Signed) Oscar Wilde."
While the jury was out, at the request of the representative of the Associated Press, Wilde's counsel procured the following statement from Wilde who was waiting in the prisoners' room below the dock: "The charges alleged against me are entirely untrue. Youth in every form has fascinated me, because youth has naturally that temperament to which the artist has to try to attain. All works of art are works produced in a moment of youth, and I have a sense of all the serial grades. I love society, the rich and well-born, on account of their luxury, culture and the graces of their lives, and the external accidents of comely life. But anyone, plough boy, fisherman, or street arab, has an interest for me. Mere humanity is so wonderful. I do not ask of the young what they do, I do not care who they are, their ignorance has its mode of wisdom, their lack of culture leaves them open to fresh and vivid impressions. (Signed) Oscar Wilde." The document of the above statement is written in Wilde's own writing.
While the jury was out Wilde's counsel procured for him, at the request of a representative of the Associated Press, the following signed statement:—"The charges against me are entirely untrue. Youth in every form always fascinated me because youth has naturally that temperament to which the artists try to attain. All works of art are produced in the moment of youth. I have no sense at all of social grades. I love society and the rich and well-born on account of their luxury, culture, the grace of their lives and the external accidents of comely life. But any one, a plough boy, fisherman, or street arab has an interest for me. Mere humanity is so wonderful. I do not ask of the young what they do. I don't care who they are. Their ignorance has its mode of wisdom. Their lack of culture leaves them open to fresh and vivid impressions.—Oscar Wilde."
While the jury were out, Wilde's counsel procured from him, at the request of a representative of the Associated Press, the following signed statement:—"The charges against me are entirely untrue. Youth in every form always fascinated me because youth has naturally that temperament to which the artists try to attain. All works of art are produced in the moment of youth. I have no sense at all of social grades. I love society and the rich and well-born on account of their luxury, culture, the grace of their lives, and the external accidents of comely life. But anyone, a ploughboy, fisherman, or street arab has an interest for me. Mere humanity is so wonderful. I do not ask of the young what they do. I don't care who they are. Their ignorance has its mode of wisdom. Their lack of culture leaves them open to fresh and vivid impressions.
While the jury were out, at the request of a representative of the Associated Press, Wilde’s counsel procured the following signed statement from Wilde, who was waiting with the prisoners in the room below the dock: "The charge alleged against me are entirely untrue. Youths of every form are always attractive, because youth has naturally the temperament to which the artist has to try to attain. All works of art are works produced in a moment of youth, and I have seen all the several grades. I love the society of the rich and well-born, on account of the luxury, culture and grace of their lives, but any one, ploughboy or street arab, has interest for me. Mere humanity is so wonderful, I do not ask of the young men what they do, I do not care who they are. Their ignorance has its mode of wisdom, their lack of culture leaves them open to fresh and vivid impressions. [signed.) Oscar Wilde." The document of the above statement was written throughout in Wilde's own writing.
While the jury was out, at the request of a representative of the Associated Press, Wilde’s counsel procured the following signed statement from Wilde: "The charges against me are entirely untrue. Youth in every form always fascinated me, because it has naturally that temperament to which the artists try to attain. All works are works produced in the moments of youth. I have no sense at all of social grades. I love society and the rich and well born on account of their luxury, culture, grace of their lives, external accents of a comely life. But anyone, ploughboy, fisherman, street arab has an interest for me, mere humanity is so wonderful. I doubt if I can ask of the young what they do. Their lack of culture leaves them open to fresh and vivid impressions."
"The charges alleged against me are entirely untrue. Youth in every form always fascinated me, because youth has naturally that temperament to which the artist has to try to attain. All works of art are works produced in the moment of youth. I have no sense at all of social grades. I love society and the rich and well born on account of their luxury, culture, the grace of their lives, the external accidents of comely life. But anyone, ploughboy, fisherman or street arab, has an interest for me. Mere humanity is so wonderful. I do not ask of the young what they do I do not care who they are. Their ignorance has its mode of wisdom; their lack of culture leaves them open to fresh and vivid impression. (Signed.) "OSCAR WILDE."
"The charges alleged against me are entirely untrue. Youth in every form always fascinated me because youth has naturally that temperament to which the artist has to try to attain. All works of art are works produced in the moment of youth. I have no sense at all of social grades. I love society and the rich and wellborn on account of their luxury, culture, the grace of their lives, the external accidents of comely life. But any one, ploughboy, fisherman or street arab, has an interest for me. Mere humanity is so wonderful. I do not ask of the young what they do. I do not care who they are. Their ignorance has its mode of wisdom; their lack of culture leaves them open to fresh and vivid impressions. OSCAR WILDE."
The charges alleged against me are untrue. Youth in every form always fascinated me, because youth has naturally that temperament to which the artist has to try to attain. All works of art are works produced in the moment of youth. I have no sense at all of social grades. I love society and the rich and well-born on account of their luxury, culture, the grace of their lives, the external accidents of comely life; but anyone – plough-boy, fisherman or street arab - has an interest for me. Mere humanity is so wonderful. I do not ask of the young what they do. I do not care who they are. Their ignorance has its mode of wisdom; their lack of culture leaves them open to fresh and vivid impressions. OSCAR WILDE.
"The charges alleged against me are entirely untrue. Youth in every form always fascinated me, because youth has naturally that temperament to which the artists try to attain. All works of art are work produced in the moment of youth. I have no sense at all of social grades. I love society and the rich and well born, on account of their luxury, culture, the grace of their lives, the external accidents of comity life. But any one, plowboy, fisherman or street arab has an interest for me. More humanity is so wonderful. I do not ask of the young what they do. I do not care who they are. Their ignorance has its mode of wisdom: their lack of culture leaves them open to fresh and vivid impressions. "OSCAR WILDE."
"The charges alleged against me are entirely untrue. Youth of every form always fascinated me, because youth has naturally that temperament to an artist has to try to attain. All works of art are works produced in a moment of youth. I have a sense of all social grades. I love society, rich and well born on account of their luxury and the culture and grace of their lives, external accidents come to life. But, anyone, a plague boy, fisherman, or street Arab, has an interest for me. Mere humanity is so wonderful. I do not ask of the young what they do. I do not care who they are. Their ignorance has its mode of wisdom, their lack of culture leaves them open to fresh and vivid impressions. (Signed), Oscar Wilde."
The charges alleged against me are entirely untrue. Youth in every form always fascinated me because youth has naturally that temperament to which the artists try to attain. All works of art are works produced in the moment of youth. I have no sense at all of social grades. I love society and the rich and well-born on account of their luxury, culture, the grace of their lives, the external accidents of comely life. But anyone, plowboy, fisherman, or street arab, has an interest for me. Mere humanity is so wonderful. I do not ask of the young what they do. I don’t care who they are. Their ignorance has its mode of wisdom; their lack of culture leaves them open to fresh and vivid impressions.
The charges against me are entirely untrue. Youth in every form always fascinated me because youth has naturally that temperament to which the artists try to attain. All works of art are produced in the moment of youth. I have no sense at all of social grades. I love society and the rich and well born on account of their luxury, culture, the grace of their lives and the external accidents of comely life. But anyone, a plowboy, fisherman or street arab, has an interest for me. Mere humanity is so wonderful. I do not ask of the young what they do. I don't care who they are. Their ignorance has its mode of wisdom. Their lack of culture leaves them open to fresh and vivid impressions. OSCAR WILDE.
"The charges against me are entirely untrue. Youth in every form always fascinated me, because youth has naturally that temperament to which the artists try to attain. All works of art are produced in the moment of youth. I have no sense at all of social grades. I love society and the rich and well-born on account of their luxury, culture, the grace of their lives, the external accidents of comely life. But any one -- plowboy, fisherman, or street arab -- has an interest for me. Mere humanity is so wonderful. I do not ask of the young what they do. I don't care who they are. Their ignorance has its mode of wisdom; their lack of culture leaves them open to fresh and vivid impressions. "OSCAR WILDE."
The charges alleged against me are entirely untrue. Youth in every form always fascinated me, because youth has naturally that temperament to which the artist try to attain. All works of art are works produced in a moment of youth. I have no sense at all of social grades. I love society and the rich and well-born on account of their luxury, culture, the grace of their lives, the external accidents of comely life. But any one, plowboy, fisherman or street arab has an interest for me. Mere humanity is so wonderful. I do not care who they are. Their ignorance has its mode of wisdom. Their lack of culture leaves them open to fresh and vivid impression. OSCAR WILDE.
The jury yesterday found Oscar Wilde guilty on all the counts of the indictment, including the charge with reference to persons unknown who were also pronounced to be guilty. After a short interval the judge called Wilde and Taylor to the bar and each was sentenced to two years' imprisonment at hard labor. While the jury was out, at the request of a representative of the Associated Press, Wilde's counsel procured the following signed statement from Wilde, who was waiting with the prisoners in the room below the dock: "The charges alleged against me are entirely untrue. Youths of every form always attracted me, because youth has naturally that temperament to which an artist has to try to attain. All works of art are works produced in the moment of youth and I have seen all serial grades. I love the society of the rich and well born, on account of their luxury, culture and the grace of their lives, but anyone, ploughboy or street arab, has an interest for me. Mere humanity is so wonderful. I do not ask of the young what they do ; I do not care who they are, their ignorance has its mode of wisdom, their lack of culture leaves them open to fresh and vivid impressions. (Signed) Oscar Wilde." The above statement was written throughout in Wilde's own writing.
The document of the above statement is written in Wilde's own writing.
The document of the above was written throughout in Wilde’s own writing.
While the jury was absent from the court room there was such a babel of voices that counsel engaged in the case went into the lobby in order to discuss events. Everybody expected the jury to disagree, as upon the previous trial, and as the jurymen fled back into their box, every person present rose in suppressed excitement and the court room became still as a death chamber. The jurymen answered to their names in firm and decided tones and seemed to be immensely relieved when the ordeal was over. A stifled ejaculation of surprise went round the court when the foreman announced that the jury found the prisoner guilty.
London, May 26 — While the jury was absent from the court room there was such a babel of voices that counsel engaged in the case went into the lobby in order to discuss events. Everybody expected the jury to disagree, as upon the previous trial, and as the jurymen filled back into their box every person present rose in suppressed excitement, and the court room became as still as a death chamber. The jurymen answered to their names in firm and decided tones, and seemed to be immensely relieved when the ordeal was over. A stifled ejaculation of surprise went round the court when the foreman announced that the jury found the prisoner guilty.
While the jury was absent from the court room there was such a babel of voices that counsel engaged in the case went into the lobby in order to discuss events, the noise being too great for them to remain at their places. Everybody expected the jury to disagree, as upon the previous trial, and as the jurymen filed back into the box every person present rose in suppressed excitement and the court room became as still as a death chamber. The jurymen answered to their names in firm and decided tones, and seemed to be immensely relieved when the ordeal was over. A stifled ejaculation of surprise went around the court when the foreman announced that the jury found the prisoner guilty.
Immediately after the verdict was rendered, Mr. C J Gill, the counsel for the prosecution, said to the Associated Press reporter: I am somewhat surprised at the verdict myself. I thought that surely one member of the jury would stand out.
After the court adjourned C. F. Gill, of counsel for the prosecution, said to a representative of the Associated Press: "I am somewhat surprised at the verdict. Not that I doubted Wilde's guilt, but I thought surely one member of the jury would stand out."
When Mr. Gill was asked if there was any chance of a new trial, he replied; "No indeed, it is now disposed of for ever, thank Heaven."
When Mr. Gill was asked if there was any chance of a new trial, he replied: "No, indeed; it is now disposed of forever, thank Heaven."
When Mr. Gill was asked if there was any chance of an ew trial he replied: "No, indeed. It is disposed of forever, thank heaven."
Mr. Travers Humphreys, of counsel for Wilde, also told the reporter of the Associated Press, that the verdict was a surprise to him. He added: "The sentence is for two years on all the counts of the indictment, and on each count separately. Now that they have hit their man, I am certain his health will break down and possibly the authorities will favorably entertain the idea of a pardon.
Mr. Travers Humphreys, of counsel for Wilde, also told the representative of the Associated press that the verdict was a surprise to him. He added: "The sentence is for two years on all the counts of the indictment and not on each count separately. Now that they have hit their man I am certain his health will break down and possibly the authorities will favorably entertain the idea of a pardon."
Mr Travers Humphreys, of counsel for Wilde, also told a representative of the press that the verdict was a surprise to him. He added: "The sentence is for two years on all the counts of the indictment, and on each count separately. Now that they have hit their man, I am certain his health will break down, and possibly the authorities will favorably entertain the idea of a pardon."
Travers Humphreys, of counsel for Wilde, also told the representative of the Associated Press that the verdict was a surprise to him. He said: "Now that they have hit their mark I am certain his health will break down, and possibly that authorities will favorably entertain the idea of a pardon."
"The sentence, said he, "is for two years on all the counts of the indictment, and not on each count separately. Now that they have hit their man I am certain his health will break down, and possibly the authorities will favorably entertain the idea of a pardon."
Sir Edward Clarke, leading counsel for Wilde, applied to Mr. Justice Wills to postpone passing sentence upon his client until the next session of the Central Criminal Court, but the judge refused to do so.
Sir Edward Clarke, leading counsel for Wilde, applied to Justice Wills to postpone passing sentence upon his client until the next session of the Central Criminal Court, but the Judge refused to do so.
Sir Edward Clarke, leading counsel for Wilde, applied to Justice Wells to postpone passing sentence upon his client until the next session of the Central Criminal court, but the judge refused to do so.
Sir Edward Clarke, leading counsel for Wilde, applied to Justice Wills to postpone passing sentence upon his client until the next session of the central criminal court (Old Bailey) but the judge refused to do so.
Sir Edward Clarke, leading counsel for Wilde, applied to Justice Wills to postpone passing sentence upon his client until next session of the Central Criminal Court (Old Bailey), but the judge refused to do so.
Oscar Wilde and Alfred Taylor were, after the conclusion of the trial, taken without delay to the Newgate jail, where they waited until warrants were signed for their detention. Both men were then conveyed in the prison van to Pentonville where they will serve out their sentences unless a petition should be granted or they should be transferred to another prison before the expiration of the term of their imprisonment.
Oscar Wilde and Alfred Taylor were, after the conclusion of the trial, taken without delay to the Newgate jail, where they waited until warrants were signed for their detention. Both men were then conveyed in the prison van to Pentonville, where they will serve out their sentences, unless a petition should be granted, or they should be transferred to another prison before the expiration of the term of their imprisonment.
Oscar Wilde and Taylor were, after the conclusion of the trial, conveyed without delay to the Newgate Jail, where they waited until warrants were signed for their sentence. Both men were then conveyed in the prison van to Pentonville, where they will serve out their sentences, unless a pardon should be granted or they should be transferred to another prison before the expiration of their sentences.
Wilde and Taylor were, after the conclusion of the trial, conveyed without delay to the Newgate Gaol, where they waited until warrants were signed for their sentence. Both men were then conveyed in the prison van to Pentonville, where they will serve out their sentences, unless a pardon should be granted, or they should be transferred to another prison before the expiration of their sentences.
Wilde and Taylor were, after the conclusion of the trial, conveyed without delay to the Newgate Gaol, where they waited until warrants were signed for their sentence. Both men were then conveyed in the prison van to Pentonville, where they will serve out their sentences, unless a pardon should be granted, or they should be transferred to another prison before the expiration of their sentences.
Wilde and Taylor were, after the conclusion of the trial, conveyed without delay to the Newgate Gaol, where they waited until warrants were signed for their sentence. Both men were then conveyed in the prison van to Pentonville, where they will serve out their sentences, unless a pardon should be granted, or they should be transferred to another prison before the expiration of their sentences.
Oscar Wilde and Taylor were after the conclusion of the trial conveyed without delay to Newgate Jail, where they waited until warrants were signed for their sentence. Both men were then conveyed in the prison van to Pentonville, where they will serve out their sentences unless a pardon should be granted, or unless they should be transferred to another prison before the expiration of the sentence.
London, May 25. - Oscar Wilde and Alfred were, after the conclusion of the trial today, conveyed without delay to the Newgate Jail, where they waited until warrants were signed for their detention. Both men were then conveyed in the prison van to Pentonville, where they will serve their sentences unless a pardon, which is being asked for, should be granted or they should be transferred to another prison before the expiration of the terms of their imprisonment.
The punishment which Oscar Wilde is sentenced to undergo is the severest known to the law. It practically means a continuous period of solitary confinement for the two years term of his sentence. Regular "jail birds" always prefer five years of penal servitude to two years imprisonment, owing to the easier conditions of the former. Wilde will not be permitted to see any visitor for three months, but by exceptionally good conduct he can secure a slight reduction of his sentence. Lord Alfred Douglass said that if Wilde were convicted he would take a house near the prison until his release, but it is now clear that if Lord Alfred returns to England be will be arrested on the same charge Wilde is.
The punishment which Oscar Wilde is sentenced to undergo is the severest known to the law. It practically means a continuous period of solitary confinement for the two years term of his sentence. Regular " jail birds" always prefer five years of penal servitude to two years imprisonment, owing to the easier conditions of the former. Wilde will not be permitted to see any visitor for three months, but by exceptionally good conduct he can secure a slight reduction of his sentence. Lord Alfred Douglass said that if Wilde were convicted he would take a house near the prison until his release, but it is now clear that if Lord Alfred returns to England he will be arrested on the same charge Wilde is.
The punishment which Oscar Wilde is sentenced to undergo is the severest known to the law. It practically means a continuous period of solitary confinement for the two years term of his sentence. Regular "jail birds" always prefer five years of penal servitude to two years imprisonment, owing to the easier conditions of the former. Wilde will not be permitted to see any visitor for three months, but by exceptionally good conduct he can secure a slight reduction of his sentence. Lord Alfred Douglas said that if Wilde were convicted he would take a house near the prison until his release, but it is now clear that if Lord Alfred returns to England he will be arrested on the same charge as Wilde.
The punishment Oscar Wilde is sentenced to undergo is the severest known to the law. It practically means a continuous period of solitary confinement with hard labor for two years, the term of his sentence. Regular "jail birds" always prefer five years of penal servitude to two years' imprisonment, owing to the easier conditions of the former. Wilde will not be permitted to see any visitor for three montas, but by exceptionally good conduct he can secure a slight reduction of his sentence. Lord Alfred Douglas said that if Wilde were convicted ha would take a house near the prison until Wilde's release, but it is now clear that if Lord Alfred returns to England he will be arrested on the same charge as Wilde.
The punishment Wilde is sentenced to undergo is the severest known to the law. It practically means a continuous period of solitary confinement for the term of the two years term of his sentence. Regular "jail birds" always prefer five years of penal servitude to two years imprisonment, owing to the easier conditions of the former. Wilde will not be permitted to see any visitor for three months, but by exceptionally good conduct he can secure a slight reduction of his sentence.