The Portland daily press., 1895-04-08
OSCAR WILDE'S CASE.
1t Produces a Novel Feature in England
Which is Expected to Work Good Re-
suits in Literature, Drama and Art
EnglishEnen Astounded and Humiliated.

London, April 7.-Oscar Wilde, the
famous chief of the modern school OF
aesthet1cism, WAS arraigned yesterday in
the Bow street police court, charged with
inciting young men to commit foul
crime. He was remanded to custody be-
ing refused hail. The maximum penalty
for his crime is two years at penal servi-
tude for each conviction.
New York, April IA London cable
gram to the Sun says: Most observers of
English character would have declared
it impossible to arouse the phlegmatic
conscience and emotions of the nature of
such pitch of intensity as is today
manifested in all classes. The horror,
the loathing. the anger which the revela-
tion in connection with the Wilde
| Queensbury case have caused, can be
compared only with one Of those whirl-
winds of passion which once in few
decades suddenly sweep over nation
and by their violence restore confidence
in human nature. Not until today, ap-
parentiy, has the country realized that
moral pestilence in the atmosphere has
long been doing deadly work.
The Chronicle recognizes the wide ex-
tent of the evil and says: For a long
time past London life, or let us say a
small and obscure section of it, has
| been under the shadow of black cloud.
| Every body has suspected and feared; !;
| nobody, no decent person, has known
| that there was some centre whence most
deadly infection spread. 1t was apparent
in certain class of literature. Now a
jury has declared that even man of
unartractiye character has done a public
benefit in branding one Of the most
prominent figures in our drama, our
literature, and by no mean an unfashion-
able section of society. Suffice it TO know
that, as some return for the undamming
of the putrid stream, our life is rid for
ever OF pestiferous posenr. The way
has been cleared for the increased whole
someness of life. Public opinion has
been so sharply screwed up in the past
two days that certain things in art and
literature, no less than in conduct, will
be intolerable at least for long time
to come"
Regarding the measure which society,
now thoroughly aroused and exasperated
will employ for dealing with the evil, it
MAY be said that the government has
wisely decided upon sharp, rapid, and
severe action. Evidence has accumulated
in the last few days ample for the con-
abominable coterie which has its ramif-
cations throughout Europe. They will
be arrested, and, in New York police
parlance, railroaded as fast as possi BILE,
to penal servitude.
The government promptly began today
by arresting Alfred Taylor, whom the
police say has long been known as the
leader of this infamous band. Like
others OF his class, the development of
his mania has followed sudden accession
of wealth and luxury. His father, who
was promiu ent in rhe city, and was once
close to the Lord Mayors chair, left
him an immense fortune, which he used
to CRAFTY every physical appetite. He
spent $50, 900 furnishing mis- house, which
has beens the headquarters of this class
OF sensualists. The victims of himself
and crew were dazed by the Oriea tai
luxury of the place. One of the features
of the drawing room. to which daylight
is never ad mitted, is marble fountain,
distributing perfume instead of water.
The police searched the whole place yes
terday.
Both Wilde and Taylor were committed
for trial without bail at the Bow street
police court today, after an overwhelm-
ing mass of revolving evidence had been
given by the victims. Prison life is ex-
pected to have an immediate effect on
men who are accustomed to every luxury
and indulgence, and Wilde is much de-
pressed after a nights confinement. The
police have reason to believe that today's
exposure is already causing panic
stricken exodus OF many persons from
England such as followed the Cleveland
street scandal a few years ago. There
are some who are not unknown in society
among them.
The effect of the Wilde case has been
intensified in the pu blic mind by the
trial of Lord Russell'ss suit at
the same time The same charge is at
the basis of this case, and if it were not
overhadowed by the Wilde-Queensbury
scandal.it would have made great sensa-
tion.