Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-11-23
The Trial Of GuIteau.


Popular interest In the trial Of Guiteau increases
as the trial progresses. A jury was empaneled
at the close Of the third days proceedings and
ON THURSDAY,
the fourth day, District Attorney Corkhill opened
the case for the government In q speech In which
he briefly reviewed the atrocious circumstances
Of the assassination, the ilustrious character Of
the victim, and concluded by announcing that the
government will undertake to prove that the act
was prompted by a thirst for revenge growing out
OF bitter disappointment in the refusal by the adj
ministration TO entertain his ridiculous preten-
sions to high foreign appointment. Secretary
Blaine was the first witness called by the prose-
cuton. He narrated "the thrice told-tale" Of
the shooting. His testimony adds no new fact to
the public knowledge Of what happened in that
railway station on that fatal July morning. I'm
der the cross examination by Mr. Scoville the
fact Of Guiteau's persistent application for office,
the practice prevailing In the distribution Of pub
lie patronage, the circumstances attending the
nomination OF Robertson "a collector Of the port
of New York, the public excitement following on
the resignation OF the New York senators and the
bitterness OF the feeling between " stalwart" and
half-breed" political factions, were brought ont
These matters were regarded by the defense as
indicating deplorable state Of things in the party
Of which the assassin claimed to be member,
which he considered himself commissioned from
on high to put to rights by removing" the
president.
At the opening OF the court Mr.. Scoville made
a few remarks explanatory OF an occurrence be-
tween his associate counsel, Robinson, and him
self on the first day Of the trial. This brought
Guiteau to his feet precpitating the first scene OF
the day. With flashing eyes, violent gestures
and an excited voice, the prisoner addressed the
court: MAY II please the court" he said, 81
object to Mr.. Robinson appearing In this case"
The court (severely)-"T your seat, prisoner.
wish you to understand distinctly that your la
bors as counsel In this case, as you claim to be,
shall be confined to consultation with the asso-
cate counsel in the case II you disobey," he con-
tinued, as the prisoner again jumped to his feet
and commenced another wild speech, "the court
will be under the necessity of ordering your re-
moval from the court room and the proceeding
with the trial in your absence" "Your honor
said that could be heard, and have a speech"
" You cannot be heard till the close Of the case"
The prisoner evidently laboring under great ex-
desire to be heard throughout the
case Your honor has no right to cut me off, and
| am going to make noise to the country about
It, When want counsel will notify your honor"
The court" Counsel have been assigned and you
must keep silence" Struggling against the
deputy marshals who were pressing him into his
seat, the prisoner cried out: 1.-THE law is that
when man wants counsel they are assigned to
him. II your honor does not coincide with me
will make noise to the country about 1t. The
country is broader than this court is" After
pause and speaking in fierce tone; "There is
not word Of truth in that Post special from Chi
cago. 1t is an absolute lie from beginning to
end" The court (sternly)-" Keep quiet now.
Let me have no more discussion
ON FRIDAY
Mr. Scoville requested the court to adopt some
measures to prevent the prisoner from issuing
his manfestoes to the public and also to prevent
his annoying interruptions In the court room.
This request occasioned another violent scene,
Guteau exclaiming to Mr.. Scoville, "You arc no
criminal lawyer and have no confidence in your
propose to get two or three of the
frst-class lawyers in America to manage my case.
And want to say word upon the law" cried
the prisoner, addressing the court. "If you ex-
pel Ho iTOui tnb CDuft TUolu tnt court III DhuC
will reverse you. II the court puts me out-con-
fools you," he cried, turning and strug
Cling with the deputy marshals who were pressing
him into his seat from which he had half risen,
" the court will understand that he will be re-
versed in the court in banc. Mind your business
you amt got no sense" he said again, turning
upon the deputies, with whom he continued to
argue violently for several moments The court
-" On several occasions In the courts of the
United States the prisoner has been, on account
Of disorderly conduct, removed from the court
and the case continued in his absence. 1t was
done in this very court in the case OF Lawrence"
The prisoner (interrupting and striking the table
with his fsts)-"Its totally illegal and not
court in America" The court-"I will not
resort to 1t unless 1t is necessary, but admonish
the prisoner in advance that II the requires it
1t will be done. have told you that at the
proper time you can be heard in yonr defence.
and you shall be heard at the close Of the evidence
II you desire 1t. Until that time you must pre-
serve silence" 81 come here as COUNSEL and
want to be heard" cried the prisoner. The court
(sternly) -" You cannot be heard" The prisoner
indicated his acceptance Of the ruling Of the court
and after parting shot relapsed into comparative
quiet.
Additional witnesses to the shooting in the
depot were examined. The officers who made the
arrest told their story. officer Scott identified
the pistol used by the assassin, the production
OF the weapon in court producing quite sensa-
ton. J. Stanley Brown testified to Guiteau's fire.
quent calls at the White House and identified
number OF letters the prisoner had written to the
president These letters relate to his application
for the consul generalship at Paris, contain ad
vice on the subject Of the Conkling fight suggest
a scheme for the presidents reelection in 1884,
and finally the writer "sours" on Blaine and
warns the president that he is running the state
department In the interest of the Blaine element
in 1884. Notwithstanding the courts assurance
to Mr. Scoville, the irrepressble prisoner continued
to interject his remarks and attempt the MANAGE
ment Of his case. Most Of the day
ON SATURDAY
was occupied in hearing the testimony of DR..
Bliss. His explanation Of the course OF the bull
let and the nature of the wound was rendered
Ineligible to the jury and counsel by reference
to skeleton which had been brought from the
Army Medical Museum. The sensation produced
by this CHASTITY exhibition was heightened when
District Attorney Corkhill showed the section Of
President Garfield's vertebrg, removed at the
time OF the autopsy, and placed 1t on the stand.
There was feeling OF horror at this production
in court Of portion Of the dead presidents body.
The district attorney showed the vertebre to the
jury, each member making an examination 80 as
to see how and where the bullet ranged. This sec
ton, which was about four inches In length, was
broken, one piece having been knocked off by the
force Of the bullet striking against 1t. The por-
ton shown was decayed, the puruent pus having
partially destroyed the cartilage between the sec
tions Of the backbone which had been broken by
the bullet Mr. scoville put on his spectacles for
critical examination, in which he was Joined by
Guiteau in the most cold-blooded manner. The
examination Of DIR. Bliss covered the whole his
tory Of the medical treatment. and involved de-
tails with which the public became painfully IA
miliar, in general way, during the lingering Ill
ness Of the president. In reply to the question,
"What was the character of the wound p He
answered, at was mortal wound"
Pending the examination OF the pistol, Guiteau
desired to announce to the court that he had In.
vited John b. Townsend Of New York, and Leonard
SWEET and A. S. Trude Of Chicago to assist him
" Another matter" he continued, desire to call
to the attention OF the court. There are mum
Der Of dsreputable characters about the court and
aoma tn reata of yioenca have heen made durinp