Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-04-05
Wilde's Suit Against the Marquis
Of Queensberry Withdrawn.
TIE LATHERS CHARGES JUSTIFIED
Verdict Was Greeted With Loud
Cheers.
PROSECUTION WILL FOLLOW

AoTNDOAS, April O-lIlG ADel sui VI oSSdA
Wilde against the Marquis Of Queensberry
came to a sudden and unexpected termina-
ton today. shortly after the third days
proceedings were begun in the Old Bailey
before Justice Collins.
Sir Edward Clarke, leading counsel for
the plaintiff, asked permission on behalf
of his client to withdraw the suit, and sub
nit to a verdict of not guilty in regard to
the offensive words written by the Mar
quis of Queensberry on the card left at the
Albemarle Club by the Marquis of Queens
berry for Wilde on February Is. and which
card formed the outward basis of the suit.
The jury, under instructions from Justice
Collins, returned a verdict Of not guilty,
coupled with the statement that the justiti-
cation set up as a defense by the Marquis
of Queensberry was true in substance and
in fact, and that the statement complained
of was published for the public good.
The verdict was received with loud APP
plauSe, which was not checked by the pre-
siding justice. and the Marquis of Queens
berry was discharged from custody, and
left the court, triumphant, smiling and
surrounded by his friends. Shortly after
ward it was announced that a warrant for
the arrest of Oscar Wilde was to be applied
for, all the papers in the case having been
submitted to the public prosecutor.
Last Day of the Trial.
Before 10 o'clock this morning every
available foot of space in the court room
was filed with spectators. who were armed
with newspapers and packages of sand
witches, and who were otherwise ready ito
sIend the day in court in the happieSt and
most comfortable manner possible.
The Marquis of Queensberry, at 1920
am, entered the court, looking calm and
confident Of the result. Promptly at 80
am. justice Collins entered. and the court
was opened. Oscar Wilde, however, was
absent. Mr.. Edward NJ Carson, O. c.,
leading counsel for the defendant, resumed
his speech, which was not concluded yes
terday when the court adjourned.
Mr.. Carson said that he hoped he had
demonstrated that the marquis was justi-
fed III bringing to a climax in the way he
did the connection between his son, Lord
Alfred Douglas, and Wilde. Continuing,
counsel said that he now approached a
more painful duty. 1t would be his task
TO call the several young men who would
tell their own tales, and who would show
that the man Taylor, frequently referred
to during the proceedings, was Wilde 8
agent 1t was no wonder that the Marquis
OIL Queensberry protested against the in
timacy between his son and Wilde. The
wonder is. counsel said, that the man had
been SO long tolerated in London society,"
Wilde's conduct in regard to the boy at
Worthing, continued Mr.. Carson, was an
instance of his audacity. He picked UP
This 10y on pier and introduced him to
his family, dressed him up as gentleman,
and put public school colors upon his
hat.
Mr.. Carson was continuing his denuncia-
ton Of Oscar Wilde when Sir Edward
Clarke and others of Wides counsel left
the court room for consultation.
The Case Withdrawn.
They soon returned, and Sir Edward
asked for permission to interrupt the pro-
ceedings. Then, amid a most impressive
silence. the leading counsel for the plain
tiff announced the withdrawal of the case
on behalf of his client. The chief concern
of Sir Edw ard Clarke seemed to be his de-
sire to Justify himself In undertaking the
case for Wilde. He said that after con-
sulting with his client. who, by the way,
was in the room to which his counsel ad-
journed. and who left the building hur-
riedly when Sir Edward Clarke began his
statement, he asked to withdraw the suit.
and on Wilde's behalf to submit to q ver-
dict for the marquis of not guilty in re-
gard to the offensive words. Counsel said
that he did this more especially in view of
the extracts which had been read in court
from Wildes novel of modern social life
and from the magazine, THE Chameleon"
Mr.. Carson here interposed, saying that
If there was to be verdict Of not guilty
it also involves a verdict of justification,
as the case of his client must succeed upon
that plea.
Justice Collins said, as to the jury put
ting any limit on their verdict, the words
complained of were either justified or not
justified. If the jury consented to the
verdict of not guilty they were also to find
that Justification set up by the defense
was true in substance and in fact, and that
the words complained of were published
for the public benefit.
Verdict for the Marquis.
The jurymen consulted together for a
moment and then. without leaving their
seats they returned a verdict as directed
by Justice Collins, namely, that the Mar
quis of Queensberry was not guilty of libel
and that the words he had written on the
card which formed the basis of the suit,
were published in the interests of the pub
lie.
The verdict was received with loud ap-
plause in court, and Justice Collins made
no attempt to check 1t.
The Marquis of Queensberry was then dis
charged from custody and left the court
triumphant, smiling and surrounded by his
friends.
The defense. 1t appears, had long array
of witnesses on hand, including walters
employed in the hotels of Paris, London
and other cities which Wilde had fire.
quented.
At the close of the proceedings it became
known that a warrant for the arrest of
Oscar Wilde was to be issued Counsel for
the Marquis of Queensberry have written
to the public prosecutor, inclosing copies of
the statements made by all the witnesses
for the defense and also inclosing the short
hand notes taken at the trial, in order that
they make no miscarriage of justice.
Warrant for WfIde's Arrest.
Oscar Wilde has. written letter to the
newspapers in which he says: 1T was i'm
possible to prove my case without putting
Lord Alfred Douglas in the witness box
against his father. Lord Alfred was ex-
tremely anxious to go into the box, but 1
would not allow it. Rather than put him
in such a painful position / determined to
retire from the case and bear upon my
own shoulders whatever shame and igno-
n,iny might result from not prosecuting the
Marquis of Queensbery.
Later in the day application was made at
the Bow street police court, before Sir John
Bridge, the magistrate, for warrant for
the arrest of Wilde, and the magistrate
granted the application.
Wilde was arrested at the Cadogan Hotel.
NOT BOTHERING ABOUT 1T.
No ALyices at the British. Foreign Of