The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-04-17

with conmeniabie rronptness Hed sape
was cut The public prosecutor appsie1
for q warrant within two hours aissF us
dramatic coiiapse of the case II court
and tonight the man who few Gays $50
was q p1npered exquisite hes on q psahA
bed in an eight by four cell. in the 30"
stree. police station The charge against
him. for some reason not explained. = hoe
felony, but misieneanor. ana the maxi
mum penalty Is two years AZ nara iaoor'
but the grand jury may change the N
dictment 8 more serious o1ence. ne
must remain in jail until the trial taxes
place in May. for the MAGISTRATE Is Ger
tain 10 refuse 20 accept bail
The cynical and sz1pezc<isous orsssno
which Wilde manifested during the trial
changed when he found himself In eusto-
dy. He listened IN silence 20 the read
ing OF the warrant He had been aware
for an hour or two that escape was I'M
possible. for detectives had been close
- following him. He refused TO say
asked at the police station for special
cell and that his valet be allowed TO
bring him his portmanteau- The court
curtly refused all requests. ana locked
him up like an ordinary prisoner
II IS impossible 70 describe the sensation
which the case has createi IN London
The Cleveland street scandals of few
lie interest then was mid compared TO
the talk created by this case. II has
been the only subject discussed wherever
men have congTegated for the last Few
days. II must be said that public opan-
lon IS almost unanimous IN thanking the
Marquis OF oueensberTy, in spite OF ms
many excentrscsties. for bringing 20
crisis what has long been rapidly
SPREADING scandal in the metropolis. The
effect OF the exposure and OF the exern-
piary punishment which Is sure TO follow
in Wilde's case viii be far-reaching. 1t
comes none too soon. The growth OF this
evil among certain classes of this coun-
try Is appalling. The police and others
are prepared 20 make fearful revelations
as soon as II becomes evident that no
other means viii suffice 10 check and de-
ssroy rhe vice which undermined the civil
HZa1ion of the ancient Romans those
who possess accurate knowledge believe
that this point has now been reached.
Publicity Is dreadful price TO pay for
overcoming such an evil. but the inyessa-
CATION In the Wide case alone has con-
WINGED those engaged in ii that the situa-
ton demands desperate remedies. Mr..
Carson whose wonderful management OF
the case against Wilde excited the admir-
alton of the members of the bar, detailed
TO newspaper men. after the verdict had
been rendered today. some of his appall-
ing discoveries. He ala this. he said. as
a public duty not that revolving details
should be pSsblished-that, indeed. he for
hads-but that public attention should De
called to the unsupported but monstrous
danger undermining English society
London newspapers have printed far
more about the matter than has been
telegraphed to the American press. Great
morning dailies like the Times and Tele-
graph have given their readers 5000 to
l2.e0 words daily of the court proceed
ings. The st. James Gazette achieved
distinction yesterday by placarding Lon
don with the announcement that it was
the only paper printing no report of
the evidence in the Wide-Queensberry
trial A lively controversy has begun
over the duty of the press in the matter.
Many seats which had been purchased
at the Haymarket and st. James thea
tiers. where Wilde's plays "An Ideal Hus-
band" and 1.-THE Importance OF Being
Earnest" are running, were empty to-
night The audiences were small, and
there was smaller proportion of ladies
than usual, but no demonstration of any
kind.