The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-05-01
WILDE Is APPLAUDED.
NE GROWS ELOQENr DURING THE
DELIVERY or HIS TESTIMONY.
The Prosecution withdrawa the Charges Of
Conspirscy-AlfredT Tsyior on the
Witness Stand.

LONDON, April 3o.--At the opening OF
to-day's sitting Of the trial OF oscar
Wilde and Alfred Taylor, Counsellor c. +.
Gill intimated that the prosecution with
drew the charges Of conspiracy. Sir
Edward Clarke, on behalf OF Wilde. said
that If those charges had been Withdrawn
at the outset he would have made appli-
cation TO have the prisoners tried sepa-
rately. The Court said that after the
evidence which had been given the counts
charging conspiracy were needless. Sir
Edward Clarke then said
Il ask for verdict OF not guilty on
those counts"
The Court refused 10 consent to such
q verdict. saying that he would simply
acccde to the application OF MIR. GIL TO
have the charges OF conspiracy with
drawn.
DFFENcE's OPENING hppRFss
Sir Edward Clarke then began his OPEN
ing address to the jury Yer the defence.
He intended, he said, 10 put Wilde I'm the
witness box, where he would make an
unqualified denial Of the charges against
him. He cited Wildo's literary works.
client written anything that would lead
any one 70 suppose him guilty OF tho
practices alleged. Sir Edward explained
the ending Of the Queensbury trial saying
that Wilde's counsel were entirely r.
sponsihle for it's abrupt termination. IL
became clear, he said that the jury
would not convict Lord Queensbury, and
he lClarke) therefore asked Wilde TO ac-
cept the verdict against himself.
WILDE FyoKEs TLoQUFNCF.
Wilde was called TO tho wtness-stand.
He swOre that tho evidence he had given
al the Queonshlmy trial was absolutely
true. He repeated this testimony upon
crOss-eEamination without variation.
Wilde. continuing his testimony. said he
had nothing TO do with the publishing OF
Lord Alfred Douglass poems. nor had
he anything 10 do with the publication
of his articles In the Chameleon maga-
zinel. Asked TO define Lord Alfred's ex-
preston 81 am the love that dare not
speak its name" Wilde said he thought
Il meant spiritual love. as pure a. II was
perfect Wilde proceeded 20 enlarge upon
the subject. and became so eloquent as
10 evoke a burst OF applause. causing
the judge TO threaten to clear the court
unless silence WAS observed.
rAYLon's TESTIMONY
Alfred TAYLOR. the co-dofendant with
wilde was called to the stand and told
OF his career. lie was educated az
Marlborough College. he said. and be-
came an officer OF the militia. hut aban'
dOned military life upon coming into
an inheritance OF 45.eo pounds. lie alb
solutoly denied the charges against him.
SIR EDWARDS ELOQUENT APPEAL
The sviderce for the defence was fin
iahod this afternoon, when Sir Edward
Clarke addressed the jury In behalf OF
Wilde. The only direct evidence against
NDte. ne declared, was tfo testimony OF
three blackmailers Who, h. asked. woul
believe them2 lie spoke IN this strain at
considerable length. and finished his adj
dress with peroratiOn r"ra' kablc for
is display of Tassi,n ana eloquenco. and
the extraordinary efforts Of the orator 10
secure the acquttal OF hts client
Mr. GIN. for the prosecutor, contend a
tnat the witnesses az finst Wilde had NJ
object In swearing falsely.
The judge viii charge the jury to-nor
row.