Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1881-11-22
In the Guiteau Trial the Day
is Occupied With the Open.
ing Speech of the
Defense.
The Defendant is Sane Enough to
Indicate that His 0ny Hope Of
Escape 10 to Be Declared
Insane.
Immense Damage by Floods in
Central Illinois.
The Trial Of Guiteau.

The Trial Of Guiteau,
Washington. Nov. 22.-The prison van |
in which Guiteau was conveyed to the
court this morning was escorted by |
mounted police in addition to two Off
GERS who rode upon tho van, and the
trip was made without incident. After
reaching the prisoners room Guiteau
partook OF hearty breakfast and ex-
pressed himself satisfied with the police
arrangements to ensure his safety. He
thought some precaution should have
been observed ut the outset. The court
room was crowded in every nook and cor
ner. John Guiteau was in the court
room soon after nine o'clock and obtain
ed subpenas for six additional witnesses.
None of the gentlemen publicly invited
by Guiteau to assist in his defense have
yet responded. 1t is understood, how.
ever, that Scoville expects to secure the
services of Trude, Of Chicago, later in
the week.
Several medical experts summoned by
the defense are in attendance this morn
ing. Among them is DIR. Rice, of Wis
consin, who has long known the prison
er, and who, it is said, advised his COM
mitment to an insane asylum four years
ago on the charge of emotional insanity.
Guiteau was brought into the court
room shortly after 10 o'clock, and Sco-
vile resumed his argument. He called
the attention of the jury to the
plea upon the defense of
of insanity and discussed at great length
the growth and changes of public opin-
ion upon the subject of insanity and its
treatment by the courts when set up as
defense in criminal cases. He reiter.
ated numerous cases and rulings in sew
eral noted ones. He claimed that the
plea Of insanity having been set up by
the defense the burden of the proof rests
with the prosecution. At one point in
his argument Scoville, in detailing the
more enlightened treatment of the in
sane now in vogue ut asylums, said: IN
other words, those in charge of asylums
act with little more reason than do the
inmates" This silly remark seemed tc
amuse Guiteau immensely, and broad
smile broke over his face, which reap
peared two or three times, as if his mind
REQUIRED to it. Scoville alluded to the
prejudice which undoubtedly existed
against the plea of insanity generally
and especially in case of the prisoner
He said that newspapers had intimatet
that Gmteau was only feigning insanity
and such seemed to be the general theor,
Of the public. Guiteau turned uneasily
iu his chair and with quick, nervous al
ticulation, said: II never feign: I &c
myself, sane or insane. With
out noting the interruption, Scovill,
alluded to the arrest of man at th
time of President Hayes investigation
who was sent to an insane asylum. Thi
man, he said, had as carefully prepare
his arrangements to kill President Haye
as had Guiteau to kill President Gal
field, and but for his arrest might hav
succeeded.
There was MS much ground to indicat
Guiteau's Insanity. Why, said Scovills
even President Garfield said, "Why di
that man do it? He must be insane.
, Blaine must have believed Guiteau il
sane.
Col. Corkhill here arose and with muc
emphasis said, IF you will allow M
Mr.. Scoville, the president never said b
thought he was insane. He thought hi
q sane man oil the time. Blaine neve
4 could have thought him insane. He Iii
a said under oath he believes him sane
!, Scoville explained and said he spoil
y from information derived from newsp
pers. and would not take issue on Il
a statement. He then took up his stol
u of the Guiteau family who were of H
h guenot extraction, and who had, he sal
Q retained to the present day as markt
characteristic steady adheren
to the religious convictions whl'
caused the extirpation of Il
Huguenots. He asserted that
?. sanity was hereditary in the famil
!. aud went on to give a story of Guiteau
4 Il life in detail. Guiteau appeared to
1 satisfied until Scovllle plainly intimate
l that the lack of mental capacity on Gr
= teau's part had reduced his law practi
4 to the collection Of bad debts. Cutie
Is WINGED and broke ont with, II broug
J. great many suits and generally ga
.. them all they wanted on the other aide
10 After moment of quasi explanation
the prisoner, Scoville was about to pl
ceed, when Guiteau. apparently appe
10 cd, waved his hand pleasantly to s.
K. VILE and said, "Go on, Scoville, that's
10 interesting story and Is correct in
to tail Continuing, Scoville said in eff
y. that Guiteau made good living at t
ny time and supported his family and p'
ms his debts.
n. Guiteau broke in with, II had il
on class references, ~ we'll as my persol
appearance, and 80 I got business;