Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1881-12-24
GENERAL NEWS.
LAST NIGHTS DISPATCHES TO THE RECORD
UNION.
DOMESTIC.
Guiteau's Trial.

WASHINGTON, December 231-Tbis morn
ing Guiteau, without any show of excite
ment, said: sit is said that l have been
abusing Scoville. Now, the fact of the mat
ter is that 1 want to make 9 speech about
that. Scoville is doing very well in this case,
considering his theory; but he is not crimi-
nal lawyer. He is fne examiner of titles.
He can tell you all about your abstracts of
titles; but l cannot have Scoville here COM
promising my case. There's no lawyer in
this Courtroom but knows that he lhss
asked questions for the deFeree which have
been positive injury to the defense.
I cannot sit here, when my life is at stake,
and have him compromise my case in this
way. My friend Charles II. Reed, who was
for twelve years District Attorney at Chicago,
and frst-cass lawyer, has very kindly con-
sented to assume charge of this case, and l
introduce him to your Honor, the jury and
the American people. He is good fellow
Scovilie is good fellow too, and want him
to continue in the case and help in every
way"
Scoville Immediately arose to a personal
explanation, stating the difficulties under
which he had labored and his disappointment
at not receiving the assistance he had ex-
pected from certain eminent counsel. He
asked that the Court would pass upon the
propriety of Reed assuming active duties as
associate counsel in this case.
Judge Porter thought it would be entirely
out of place for the Court to be asked to rule
upon such proposition, and, speaking for the
prosecution, promised 10 objection to Reed
and no criticism of his course in becoming
counsel for the defense
Judge Cox said: 81 think that is sufh-
cient. / have privately stated that saw no
objection to such a course on Reeds part
Colonel Corkhill said ct is absurd to
talk about it. Reed has been assisting all the
way through, and has not been out OF sight
of the Courtroom"
Reed (quickly)-That Is not true, Mr.. Cork
hill.
Guiteau-Oh, Corkhill can't tell the truth
anyway. Reed has quietly assisted, just as
other lawyers have done, il the interest of
truth and justice. That's what we are here
for.
After some discussion between the counsel
relative to striking out certain portions of
DR.. Damon's testimony. Corkhill was about
to call witness, when Guiteau broke out ex.
citedly: "There is vast amount of rubbish
getting into this case that has nothing to do
with the condition of my mind on the ID of
July. You can't tell what is going ON now,
in that foreman's mind or in Judge Coxs'
How can you tell what was in mine on the
I'd of July? All this nonsense about whether
Pm insane, or was Ave years ago, has nothing
whatever to do with this case"
Striking the table aud becoming more and
more excited, he continued If | can't get
justice here, | expect an act of God for my
protection. He has taken away the wife of
ore of the jurors, for which | am very sorry,
and, if necessary, He will take one of those
jurors right out of the box to save my life in
the interest of truth aud justice"
Scoville explained in regard to the letter
of DR.. Spitzka. opened and commented upon
yesterday by Guiteau. He stated that the
letter was addressed to him (Scoville) and
not to the prisoner. He knew it would be
commented upon by the prosecution that
Spitzka had written to the man he said
under oath was insane, and he (Scoville) de-
sired that the Court and jury should under
stand just how it occurred
William A. Edward was o clerk 10 the
Office of Shaw, and said he overheard the
conversation in which Guiteau told Shaw
that he would kill some big man some day,
as Booth did. This contradicts Shaw's tes-
timony that nobody was present at the in
terview, but witness maintained that his
facts were correctly The prisoner attempted
to involve the witness in q fraudulent real
estate transaction.
Guiteau sneered, and Scoville tried to quiet
him.
Guiteau retorted: 81 know what I'm
doing I'll take my chance of getting the
laugh on him. This whole thing is lie.
My counsel takes it too sincerely. It's lie
let it go. Tkis fellow. ten years ago. was a
clerk on IS week The idea that / sbould
consult him on big real estate transaction
It's absurd, and Judge Cox ought to kick
him off the stand
DR.. S. IL. Talcott, a medical expert from
Middleton. N. Y, had treated over 10 OO0
insane persons. He had observed Guitean
closely, and assuming that he told the truth
regarding the shooting and his life, he should
say that be was sane on July %. TIE same
answer was made to a hypothetical question.
how much do you expect to get for that
opinion I; shouted Guiteau you have been
two or three weeks here. | suppose Won will
want $500 Striking the table anerilyl. but 7
oon'e care snap ii you bring in 500 such
witnesses"
Judge Cox demanded quiet.
All right, your Honor; will be quiet
now" said Guiteau. aN-''
;, Dsvidge-You our Honor, please to note that
tne Tree agency. spoken of by the prisoner
operates all right now, as he can keep quiet
when he desires to.
Guiteau-I don't pretend that I'm insane
now, any more than you are but on the 81
OF July, and for thirty days before. l was
insane. That's the issue.
Dayldge-Then, if you are sane now. Won
certainly should know how to behave your.
self.
Guiteau-I do, and I behave Just as well
as you. l appear as my own counsel, and I
nave as much right to talk as you. You
have altogether too much to say on this case.
DIR. Henry B. Stearns, Superintendent If
the Hartford Retreat for the Insane. was the
next witness. From 800 to 1000 cases Of in.
sanity had come under his supervision dur.
ing the eight wears he had hean co,raota5