The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-05-24
Was Asked if He Knew the
Meaning Of Decency.
Courtroom Crowded as Usual at The
Famous Trial.
The Defendant Too Weak to Stand
While Giving His Testimony.

LONDON, May 2L-There was the usual
crowd of people in the Old Bailey court room
today. when Sir Edward Clarke addressed tbs
jury in behalf of his client, Oscar Wilde.
Among those present was Lord Douglas Of
Hawick, the eldest son of the Marquis OF
Queensberry.
Sir Edward Clarke, at the commencement
of his speech, complained OF the treatmens
which Wilde had been subjected To, and said
that tho defence might well be excused for
not putting the defendant in the witness box
again, =" broken and unfit for the ordeal as ho
now is. But" continued Sir Edward. "the
defence has resolved to do so." Shortly after.
ward Wilde was called 10 the witness box.
and was provided with a chair. he seemed
to be utterly broken down. Wilde, in answer
to qestions put 10 him, related how he had
been on terms Of intimacy with the Marquis
Of Queensberrys family for years, ard en-
tirely denied the charges made against him.
Sir Frank Lockwood, the solicitor general.
at the conclusion of the address by Sir Edward
Clarke, began severe cross examination OF
the defendant, which lasted over an hour.
The accused said that Lord Alfred Douglas
was now in Paris, where he went three weeks
ago, at his request Wilde, IL appears. was in
constant communication with Lord Alfred.
When Wilde was asked about the famous
letters which he ksd written TO Lord Alfred.
and which were read at the first trial, tho de-
fendant said that il was beautiful way in
which an artist would write to a cultured
young man. Referring to the letter In which
Wilde spoke of Lord Alfred's "rose lips" and
of his "slim gilt-soul," Sir Frank Lockwood
aaskd the defendant whether he considered
this letter to be decent, Wilde, replied:
''Decency does not come into the question"
.'Do you understand the meaning Of the
word" asked counsel sternly.
"Yes." replied Wilde.
Sir Frank Lockwood then closely examined
the defendant regarding his relations with
Lord Alfred Douglas Wilde admitted that he
had made repeated visits to the rooms OF
Alfred Taylor, where he met a number of
young men.
Wilde also admitted his intimacy with other
young men, whose names were mentioned
during the previous trial.
THE MARQUIS INTERVIEWED.
The Marquis of Queensberry. in an inter
view is quoted as saying: 81 do not wish to
sec Wilde further punished. He has suffered
| enough. | only want to keep the beast from
my son. You know / have carried my point
| and that l have been praised by the best
| elected jury which ever sat in God or mans
| Jury box. Consequently. do not care what
| else is now done to Wilde. One OF his COM
| panions has been found guilty, and every
| one in London knows that Wilde Is no better
| than Alfred Taylor" When the Marquis was
asked what he thought would be the verdict
| in Oscar Wildes case he said: az am willing
| TO forfeit 1000 to l that Wilde Is acquitted.
There are many names back of this thing that
| say so. I have as much chance Of receiving
death in the street today as Oscar Wilde has OF
| being found guilty."