The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-04-03
TO WHAT DEPTHS.
Oscar Wilde's Suit for Libel
Begins in London.
Degraded State of London So
ciety is Revealed.
BIG CROWDS ATTEND.
People Laugh Lightly at the
Revolving Testimony.
Wilde Himself is Composed and
UncOncerned.

inch of the Old Bailey was occupied this
morning when the Marquis of Queens
berry surrendered to bail and the libel
suit brought against him by Oscar
Wilde was opened before Justice Col
Inns
Oscar Wilde charges the Marquis of
Queensberry with libel by leaving on
February % last an uncovered card at
the Albemarle club on which card was
written certain foul epithets. AS re-
suit MIR. Wilde, on March 2, caused the
arrest of the Marquis of Queensberry,
and the latter at the Marlborough street
police court, was placed under 91,50O
bail.
The court room was crowded with
lawyers. Admission was obtained by
tickets only and the sheriff in charge
showed the representative of the Asso-
ciated Press a pile of applications foot
high, many of them being from well
known people.
Rumors were current in London yes
terday that Oscar Wilde had suddenly
left the city in order TO avoid being pres
ent in court today, and reports were also
current that a startling development
would arise today. But both these ru-
mors were set AT rest by the arrival in
court of the principals to the suit The
marquis, who wore a shabby overcoat,
was placed in the docket and answered
to the indictment by pleading first not
guilty and secondly that the libel was
| true and that it was published for the
public good.
The marquis seemed unconcerned and
replying to the questions put to him he
spoke quietly and clearly.
Sir Edward Clarke, formerly solicitor
general, in opening the case said that the
card left at the Albemarle for Mr.. Wilde
was one of the visiting cards of the Mar
| quis of Queensberry and it was upon
this that the libel was written Contin-
uing the counsel said that the gravest is
sues had been raised, as the defendant,
in his pleadings, alleged that the plain
tiff had for some time solicited persons
named to commit indecent offences.
Certain letters addressed by the plain
tiff to Lord Alfred Douglass, second son
of the Marquis of Queenberry, were
brought to plaintiff by man who said
he was in distress and Mr.. Wilde gave
him $50 with which to pay his passage
to America Another letter was handed
| to Mr.. Beerbohm Tree, the actor, who
gave it to the plaintiff Counsel then re-
counted the facts already known in the
case, showing that Mr.. Wilde who had
recently returned from Algiers, drove up
to the Albemarle club at about p. N.
on February %, and on entering the club
he was handed an envelope by the hall
porter, Sidney Wright, who said that the
! Marquis of Queensberry had desired
him to hand it TO Mr. Wilde. The exact
words were: ''Lord Queensberry de-
sired me sir, to hand this to you when
you come to the club"
Inside the envelope plaintiff found a
card, on the back of which was the date
4:3O, 49,, 80, and on this card were writ
ten certain foul epithets, which formed
the basis of the suit
Oscar Wilde was then called, and he
Ian guidly arose from the solicitors table
| where he was seated and entered the wit
ness box. The plaintiff was faultlessly
dressed in black frock coat and carried
his gloves in his hand, showing his fng-
ers 10 be covered with rings. He was
! very pale, but was seemingly composed.
Wilde spoke with his customary drawl
leaning his arms upon the rail of the wit
ness box, and replying distinctly to the
questions addressed to him.
The jury, which was composed of very
intelligent men of elderly appearance
mainly prosperous tradesmen, eyed him
with curiosity. The witness said that
upon arriving at his house few months
ago he found two gentlemen waiting in
the library One of them was the Mar
was unknown to the plaintiff. The
former said: "Sit down" l replied
Lord Queensberry, L will not allow any
one to talk that way in my house.
suppose you have come to apologize. l:
it possible that you accuse me and youl
son of sodomy?''
He replied, 81 don't say it, but you
look like it and appear like it.
Counsel for the plaintiff then asked
the witness about the man to whom ht
had given twenty pounds with which Il
pay his passage to America.
The witness said: "The man told mt
he had been offered ego pounds for tht
letter and l advised him to Immediately
accept it. but l finally gave him the
money in order to relieve his distress
aud he gave me the letter" The docu.
ment referred to was here produced il
court and handed to Justice Collins. Tht
letter referred to the "Rose red lips'' O
Lord Alfred Douglass and the writer ad
dressed him as My own boy" and asked
"why are you alone in London" Tn,
letter was signed t'with undying love
Oscar. "
Counsel in explaining this letter sal
that it might seem extravagant to thos
who were in the habit of writing com
mercial letters; but, he added, it wa
''mere poetry" Laughter.
} Interest in the case was increased whe
Sir Edward Clarke, upon finishing tn
. direct examination of his client. turne
the latter to Mr. E H. Carson, @. c.,
P, counsel for the Marquis of Queens
berry, for cross examination.
Mr.. Carson began the presentation c
| the case for the MARQUIS by rRadinC mas