The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1881-11-10
pREsIpENr ARTHUR EARNGsrNEss.

A very important meetlng Vi thc O"o'nS'
was held in President Arthur's parlor direct
ly after his return from Yorktown. IL was
unusually lengthy, and the secrecy main
tanned by the members and the ominous
looks which followed all questions relating
to the subject discussed occasioneda good
deal of comment at the time, particularly
among correspondents of newspapers. Put-
ting this and that together, and taking one
consideration with another, the Star is en-
abled to present tolerably accurate history
of the meeting. Every member OF The Capi-
net was present. The President AS soon as
all were seated stated that he had called the
members together to consider the question
of the prosecution Of Guiteau, but that from
facts which had come to his knowledge, ne
believed the government to be entirely un-
preuared for the ease. He added with g0od
deal of emphasis, and accompanying MS
words with his clenched fist, that came DOWN
IN the table with considerable force on the
table. that he would consider it pre-eminent-
ly disgraceful TO the government that, II III
the Guiteau case, as in the Star Route cases,
the government should confess itself unpre-
pared to 20 on and be compelled to ask iof
continuance. Acknowledgement MacVeagh
was present and gave no sign. Inc fresi-
dent. noticing MaeVeagh's silence, put the
question to him directly as to the prepare
ton of the government to proceed III Gull
eau,s case. The Attorncy-Geperal replied
that he did not consider it any part OF mis-
business to give attention to criminal prose-
cutions. The President replied that this
was a great state trial, and that the whole
country looked to MacVeagh to see that IL
was conducted properly and efficiently.
Macyeagh said there was NJ lazy or Gus
tom for the Attorney-General to appear IN
criminal trials, and said he had been told SO
by Judge Jeremiah Black.
The President then quickly and somewhat
angrily asked MacYeagh how it had been In
the Aaron Burr trial.
sob. but that was trial for treason"
Macy eagh replied.
rYes- said the President, ''and this is a
trial for numbering the Chief Magistrate OF
the nation, and to my mind II Is the positive
duty of the Attorney-General to take charge
of the case
MacVeagh then reiterated that the law
never contemplated that was any part oil MS
duty. The President said that the statutes
of the United States aRthorrized the Attor-
ney-General to appear for the government At
any time and in any Federal court in any
ease in which he might deem it his duty to
do so. and referred MacVeagh to this partic-
ular section of the law. By this time there
was q goQd deal OF excitement around the
Cabinet table. Fae lawyerg OF the Cabinet
| were here appealed to- and they all agreed
| with the President. As MacNeagh main'
tanned his position that it was below the dig
nity of the Attorney-G General to appesr IN a
4 criminal ease, the President then asked him
if he had aope anything to obtain counsel to
assist District Attorney Gerkhili IN the pros.
cution of Guiteau. Macyeagh said he had
not; that that was duty which belonged to
the District Attorney himself if he desired
additional counsel The President with con-
/ siderable warmth said that was new suS-
gestion TO lila, AID That either MacVeagh oil
himself was very ignorant etiaw. Io., DC. orc
ing to his reading Of the United States stat
utes, il was made the express duty Oh the
] Acknowledgement to engage the assistance
! OF counse. IN any case wherein his judgment
for the interests OF tae sayernment required
il. MaeVeagh said that he took di4ekeI'
view of his duty, and did not consider him
self hound TO take any part in the trial Of
| Gui,cau or to procure additional counsel fol-
that purpose. He said thai in the star route
cases Col. Corkhill had suggested desire
for the employment of VIM. A. Cook As adj
ditional counsel and MacVeash said he had
nothing to do with it and Col.Corkhill could
do as he pleased in the matter. The Presi'
dent said he was determined that the gov
eminent should have able counsel and be
would himself direct, if MaeNeagh declined
to do SO, that Judge John K. Eorter, Of New
York. and Walter Dayidge. Of Washington,
be employed us additional counsel in the
prosecution of Guiteau. MacNeagh then
said that if the President desired 1t to be
done. he would employ the gentlemen named.
J II is said that at the close OF this remarkable
Cabinet sa.nS, .he President remarked that
the Attorney 6 enerai's kaos.sd~e CT law
would be greatly improved by reading the
statutes of the United States which define
the duties Of his office.
Il