The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-04-05
WILDE'S CASE APPEARS WEAK.
SOME OF HIS FRIENDS VERY QUEER
TO SAY THE LEAST.

Gus Prnctices-The Questions Put
10 the Plaintiff by the Defendants
Attorney PftiIess and in the Main
UnprintabIe The Old Bailey
Crowded With Spectators.
London, April 4-The trial of the action
Of Oscar Wilde against the Marquis of
Queensberry for libel was resumed to-day
in the central criminal court, Old Bailey,
with the complainant again in the witness
box. Nj. Carson cross-examining. Mr..
Wilde, in answer to a question by Air.
Carson. said he had been introduced TO
Wood by man named Taylor. He had
frequently visited Taylor's house to at
tend afternoon parties. Taylor, he said,
had habit of burning perfumes in his
room, but the candles or gas were not
lighted. Upon every occasion of his visit
ing Taylors house he had met a youth
named Mavori, who had since disap-
peared. Mr.. Wilde said he was aware
that Taylor had been arrested, but he
did not know that Taylor had made him.
self notorious by his practice Of intro
ducing young men TO older ones. Taylor,
he admitted, however, had introduced
him to five young men. None of these
young men had any trade, profession or
employment, as far as he knew. He had
made them presents of money for the
reason that they were poor. Mr. Wilde
was questioned In regard to his acquaint-
anceship with two brothers named Park
er. He replied that he knew them and
had dined with them. He was not aware
that one of them was a valet and the
other groom. Both of them were out
OF employment. He had given one of
them money on the occasion of his TAX
ing tea with him (Wilde) in the latter's
private rooms in St. James street His
behavior was in no way improper. When
Taylor and one of the Parkers were ar
rested they We're in womens clothes.
They were charged with felonious prac-
dices.
Mr.. Carson--When you read of Taylorss
arrest, did it make any difference in your
friendship to him?
Mr.. Wilde-I was greatly distressed and
my friendship.
AT the conclusion Of Mr.. Wilde's redirect
examination the case for the prosecution
was closed. Before leaving the witness
stand Mr.. Wilde explained his fondness for
the society Of males in their youth by saw
ing that he disliked- the old and sensible.
while the company of the young, happy.
careless and original had a wonderful
charm The mere fact OF their youth was
amazing.
MI Carson's questions to Mr.. Wilde
We're IN the main pitiless and unprintabla
II was noticed that during Mr. Carson's
questioning several names were written
upon slips of paper and handed up to the
court These names were not made pub
hc Sir Edward Clarke then questioned
the witness in redirect examination, He
began by reading a number of letters
written by the Marquis of Queensberry TO
MS son, Lord Alfred Douglas, in which
the marquis condemned his son for his
conduct with Mr.. Wilde. He also read a
letter written by the marquis reviling
Lord Rosebery, Mr. Gladstone and the
queen, because of the appointment of his
son to the peerage of Drumlanrig. In
one Of the letters the marquis declared
lhat Lord Alfred Douglas was not his son. !
Mr.. Carson, in opening the case for the
defense, declared that all that the Mar
quls Of Queensberry had done and said he
sJood by, Withdrawing nothing. His sole
object in all the steps he had taken was
10 save his son from the influence of Mr..
Wilde who, according to his own admis-
sion, was friend of a person who was
known to be procurer of boys for vicious
purposes.
Mr. Carson was terribly denunciatory
OF Mr. Wilde. who left the court room as
soon as the counsel for thedefendant be-
gan to speak.
The speech of Mr.. Carson for the de-
Iehse lasted until the court adjourned at
DuIlng the course of his remarks Mr..
carson alluded in complimentary terms
10 the course of Berbohm Tree in forward
ing 10 the plaintiff copy of the anony-
nous letter handed to the English actor,
whereupon Justice Collins said: There
IS no occasion to mention the name OF
Mr. Berbohm Tree"
MT Carson in reply remarked: Nor
should l do so, My Lord, had it not been
tat mat received a cable message from Mr..
Tree to-day asking that his connection
with the case be fully explained"
Everyone understands that Mr.. Trees
connection with the case is in every way
honorable and praiseworthy," said the
justice in conclusion.
Mr.. Wilde returned to the court room
Tor few minutes before the adjourn
ment.
Such was the interest in the proceedings
today that the services of
an extra force of policemen
We're required outside the Old Bailey in
order to disperse the large crowds which
assembled in the neighborhood in order
10 see the principals in this notorious
The audience was largely composed of
lawyers and reporters. There were few
notable persons present.
After the noon recess the crowd in
The court room was larger than ever,
and the hall and stairs leading to it We're
hlled ten deep with well dressed men
who were awaiting chance to enter
Lord Alfred Douglas was present in
court for a short time during the morn
ing, but he did not return in the after
noon.
Most of the newspapers are printing
lne testimony in the suit almost verbal
ln' but the character of the testimony was
auch to-day that the St. James Gazette
says: The nature of the evidence and
the whole circumstances Of the case
prove q ba Of oh a RAJ qta hat
cannot repeat it."
The Gazette adds: 1.-THE English public
ls at the present moment involved in one
OF those orgies Of indecency permitted
ny the operations Of open law courts and
an enterprising press" The Gazette
urges that all such cases should be heard
IN camera
better Times at Cleveland.
Cleveland. O.. April A little rrore