The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1881-11-29
FOR THE DEFENCE.
SCOVILLE'S OPENING ARGUMENT
AN ABLE ONE.
A Sketch of the Guiteau Family
Continual Interruptions by the
Prisoner--Calling ScOville a
Liar-"GreaJ Laughter by
the Spectators.

Liar-"GreaG Laughter by 4
the Spectators. t
WASHINGTON, November e The !
prison van in which Guitesu was con-
veyed 10 the court, this morning, was
escorted by six mounted policemen, III
addition to the Two officers who rode
upon the van. rhe nip was made
without incident, and after reaching The
prisoners room, Guiteau partoCk OF
hearty breakfast AMI expressed himself
satisfied with the police arrangements
made to insure his safety. He thought
the same precautions shod!d have been
observed at the outset.
TIE COURT ROOM
wes crowded in every nook and corner.
John Guiteau was in the court room
soon after o'clock, and obtained sub
reaaa for SIX additional witnesses.
None of the gentlemen publicly invi
ted by Gujtean to assist in the defense,
have vet responded. 1t is understood,
however, that Scoville expects to secure
the services OF Trude, Of Chicago, later
in the week. Several experts. summoned
by the defense, are in attendance this
morning, among them DR.. Rice, of Wis
censin, who has long known the priso-
ner, and who, it ii said, anvised his com
NIT al to an insane asylum four years
400, on the ground of emotional insan-
ity. Guiteau was brought into the court
room shortly after ten O'Clock and
soovILLE RESUMED
his argument. He called the attention
Of the inry to the plea set up by the de-
e-insanity-and discussed at great
length the growth and changes of public
opininn upon the subject OF insanity,
aud its treatment by the courts when
set up as a defence in criminal cases.
He cited numerous cases and rulings In
several noted cases He claimed the
plea of insanity having been set up by
the defence, the burden Of proof rests
| with the prosecution,
At one point in the argument, Sco-
vile, in detailing the more enlightened
treatment OF. the insane now in vogue at
the asylums, said: In other words, those
in charge of asylums act with a little
, more reason than do the inmstes.
THESE sALLIEs
seemed TO amuse Guiteau immensely,
: and a broad smi'e broke over his fea-
lures, which rea7peared two or three
times, as if his mind REQUIRED 10 it. SEQ
Vile alluded to the prfju lice which un
douhtedly existed against plea of in
sanity generally, and especially in the
case OF the prisoner. He said the news
, !, papers had intimaiei that Gliteau was
ONLY feigning insanity, and such seemed
to he the general theory Of the public.
Guiteau turned uneasily in his chair and
with a quick, nervous, articulation SAID
, ~ NEVER FEIGN.
a 1 act myself, sane or insane.
# Without n"ting the interruption. Sco-
i vile alluded to the arrest of man al
It the time of President Hayes inauguration
who was sent to an insane asylum. This
d man, he said, had as care fully made al
If his arrangements to kill President Hayes
If as did Guteau to kill President Garfield
lr and but Tor his arrest he might have sue
g ceeded. There was just as much grounr
n 10 indicate
eUrTEAU's INSANITY.
o' "Why," said Scoville, seven Presiien
I, Garfield said "Why did this man do it
J" He raust be insane" Blaine must bav
'e believed Guiteau insane
Corkhill here arose, and with mnc'
emphasis said {: If YOU will allow me
Sc Mr.. Scoville, the President never sal
IL he thought he was insane. He though
n, him sane all the time. Blaine neve
u' thought him insane He had said unde
e oath be believes him sane.
Us Scnville explained he spoke from ii
e' formation derived from newspapers, an
would not take issue on the statemen
He then took up the history of
GUrrEAu FAMILY.
who we're of Huegenot extraction, an
!, who had, be said, retained TO the preseI
~ day as a marked characteristic the sturd
on % adherence to relig aus convictions, whit
o. caused the expatistion Of the Hagenot
90 He asserted that insanity was hereditaI
ne in the family, and went on to give Il
W. story of Guiteau's life in detail.
on Guiteau appeared to be satisfied t
ne Scoville plainly intimated that lack
ar capacity on Guiteau's part had reduce
~ his law practice to the collection OF hs
'oi debts. when Guiteau WINGED aud brol
" out with,
81 brought great many suite, and
~ ~ generally gave them all they wanted
~ the other side"
on y, After a moment of quasi explanati'
y to the prisoner. Scovlle was about
py proceed, when Gui!eau, apparently a
rs peased waved his hand pleasantly
" io' Scoyille, and said:
es- "Go on, Mr.. Scoville, that's an int
ef , esting story, and is correct in detail" ;"
seo Continuing, Scoville said in efe
'Ay that Guiteau made good living a.
D supported family at this time, a
paid his debta.
roo GUITEAU AGAIN BROKE Il
,ro- with: 81 had frst class references,
of well as my personal appearance, and
or I got business Besides that, hal
ltlv had habits of anv kind"
the To illustrate Guiteau's freaks and
~ an indication of his insanity, Scnvi
A related his rambling attempt to make
per. speech on certain occasion when be '
wed assigned by the court as counsel for
low prisoner on trial Gaiteau again lnl
ton rupted IN an excited manner and sho
ed:
lout "That's absolutely false. ne
Ella tried case with Charlie Reed in my !
any dun't want 10 interfere with your th
Teld, ry, bat your facts are false. / want
was Jury to understand my peculiaril
vote That's all right. There are a gt
e of manv people who would swear l am
sane"
ear: Recess.
ice AFTER RECESS
oe. Scovile resumed bis story Of the life
y Guiteau, using the expression, I'm
oio- tally incompetent" Guiteau fretted
the imputation of lack of brain po'
~ and exclaimed: Mot true, and can't
ho shown always tell the truth.
W aoo;n h hrobo in u1 had hraina enOu