The Evening critic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1881-1885, 1881-12-22
GUITEAU.
HOW HIS TRIAL PROGRESSES.
Interesting Testimony ro-day--Thc
Insanity Theory About Exploded
Witnesses for the Defense Helping
the OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES of the
Auuouut,,

pletely characteristic of the soul OF tho man.
1t was kccnly cruel, lowly, mean and dospcr.
ately dcvllish.
II ever n man acted magnanmously, Mr..
Scovllle Inns been that man. He has given up
and lost his practice In Chicago TO come 10
Washington TO defend Guiteau. His wife. with
n slstorly devotion, has Joined with him to
mortgage all that they both possess In common
to dcfray their expenses. He has the combined
community OF 50,OOO,000 people, barring n
trning number OF absurd cranbs, opposed to
him. he has faced It all with remarkable
power, evldencing as great genius MS the great
est legal mind OF this or any other age over
produced; and yet, as the trial OF his client
Ohe consummate criminal Gulteau draws to
close, we have again the disgusting evidence
of the lattcr's egotism In imperatlvely de-
nouncng his only legal friend and grossly
insulting him, time after Time IN crowded
courtroom.
1t Is but natural that In the course of human
nature tears should have flooded the eyes of
Mr.. Scoville when after all that he has sacrl.
need To aid his miserable brother.inlaw he
should be subjected to insults that outside Of
the court he would have answered, not by
words, but with blow.
II is but due to this gentleman to publish TO
the world that he has from the alpha OF this
case displayed and practcalzed more per-
feet sense of Christ's Christianity than has
been known to mankind for 10! these many
years
We believe that he thinks the wretch whom
he defends Is really insane; otherwise we
would not commend his honesty, industry and
Christianity.
That Guitcau Is sane, no one save his counsel
doubts. His conduct throughout the trial posi-.
tlyes 1t rs fact, and an unanswcrablc fact.
The Knot Growing Tighter.
The criminal, Guiteau, begins TO fnd that
his essay TO stack the cards In the game of life
Will not work, and his bracebox manipulation
having been discovered, the turn will he called
upon him. 1t was n bold risk that he took, and
he stood well by 1t. He Is now, as IL evident to
those who have watched his conduct closely
since the commencement of the case, satisfied
that his trick has been discovered his game
unsuccessful; that the verdict will be that
Of guilty, and his strongest hopes are that
there might be postponing of the trial when
the case Is taken upon exceptions before the
Court In Banc. His hopes are poorly banked.
Tho exceptions can and Will be properly settled
at once by and before that tribunal, and his
sentence uttered before the close of the month.
Two Points
IL Is VOL TO refer to Mt this moment. The
one is that Gulteau, who is as cunning as he Is
depraved, may essay to escape by jail or van.
breaking, and many less marvellous episodes
have occurred successfully, and the other is
that he may suicide From these two points,
| taken rs promises, the conclusion to be de.
duced is that the most careful watch should be
held over him.
Another idea Is this, the trial is nearing Its
end On tho day when the verdict is rende red
we suggest that no women be present. There
cannot BIO other than an unseemly commotion
on that occasion.
II Is even possible that violence will he In
force. 1t is to he hoped that there will be no
display OF that character, but 1t Is not improb-
| able that 1t will follow. on that account we
suggest to the District Attorney and to Marshal
Henry the proprlety of refusing admission to
| the courtroom of women and children upon
| that markedly interesting item In the dlurnal
history of the 365 days which mark as n mat
ter Of fact the Gregorian year.
TO-day's Proceedings.
| II was the mems day ut the trial to-day, and
| for the first time since the hearing commenced
they outnumbered the female Sex. The dimi-
mutton in the attendance OF the ladies' was
attributed TO the inclement weather. Probably
| the only visitor OF prominence was Miss Lotta
who occupied n seat with n friend back of the
places assigned to the prosecuting officers, and
| gave close attention to the proceedings. An.
other baby was introduced, and before the trial
| started was pretty active In making noise,
but the mother found Il prompt means of
silencing 1t by furnishing the soothing syrup
mothers only can provide for infants.
II was novel sight to see babe nursing I'm
court, and the lockers on, many of them,
seemed to enjoy the picture.
HIS Honor was on the bench promptly at ten
O'clock. Guiteau was brought In two minutes
later. Mr.. Charles Reed went TO him and be-
gan u conversation. He grew excited and
started to strike the table, but under the In.
fiuence OF Mr.. Reed he Gained down.
At the close OF the consultation Guiteau with
n smiling face said 81 was going TO make n
speech, but won't do 1t now" Immediately
afterward Mr.. Scoville handed the prisoner n
number OF letters which he ran over hastily
and said, " 1t Is the first time that l have
opened my mall for good while"
The First Witness
called was DR.. Theodore Damon, one OF the OK.
perts. He testified that he was subpGnaed to
testify for the defense; he had had eight years
experience with the insane, In addition to SUI
perintending at the Auburn PRISON. he made
an examination OF the prisoner at the jail on
the Goth OF last November, I'm presence of Other
physcians he had attended the trial; noticed
The prisoner and heard his testimony; from his
examination OF the prisoner, observations OF
him In court and hearing his testimony, 1t was
his opinion that Guiteau was sane.
The longest Hypothetical question, embrac
Ing the acts of the prisoner ms developed In the
testimony In connection with the shooting, was
then read 10 the witness.
IN answer ho said that, In his opinion, the
prisoner was sane at the time he shot President
Garfield.
In answer to the second question, which
showed the life and deeds OF the prisoner priol
10 coming 10 this city and after his arrival here
and actions before the shooting, the witness
said that taking all the circumstances int
consideration he should pronounce the mar
sane.
Mr.. Charles Reed and Mr.. Scoville held Q
[ short conversation, and then the latter opened
the cross.examination. Witness was witt
prisoner I'm the jail twice; once about an houl
and a-half, and again about half an hour
several other experts We're present Mt thu
time; prisoner seemed 10 understand the OBJ
iect OF their visit; he seemed sincere am
frank In his manner; witness has no reason t
believe that prisoner was feigning; prisoner
stripped to the bun and witness examined
him; examined his tongue also found hin
In normal condition; witness has observed
him in the courtroom; does not believe he ha
f. been playing part or Stimulating by his con
duct here.
Witness has had u considerable experience
i. with insane convicts mt Auburn, n. Y, wher'
N he was physician; some really insane, other
= feigning; witness generally had but little diff
Q nculty In detecting the latter; witness ha
l., | more moral less than sane insane people ar,
d often cunningly deceptive; anybody, unde
|. certain exciting causes, is liable to become I'm
Il | sane; witness makes no distinction between
\ 'unsOundness of mind" and insanity; "un
h soundness OF mind" Is merely n form OF words
J. the mind cannot have disease, because tn
!, mind Is immaterlal.
s ~ Opened My Mail
Q for the FIRST time this morning" said Gulteau
u Just about the time of the recess, sand Their