The Portland daily press., 1881-11-23
GUITEAU's TRIAL.
Mr.. Scoville's Opinion Not Yet
Completed.
INCIDENTS TENDING TO SHOW IN
SANITY OF THE PRISONER.
Guiteau Constantly Interrupts His
Counsel.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 22.-The prison van in
which Guiteau was conveyed to the court
house this morning was escorted BY six noun
ted policemen in addition to two ohcers VINO
rode upon the van The trip was made WIN
out incident, aud after reach hing the prisoners
room Guiteau partook of hearty break fast
aud expressed himself fully satisfied with the
police arrangements. He thought same pre-
cautions should have been observed at once.
The court room was crowded long before the
hour for the assembling of the court. Scovllle
was early in his seat. John Guiteau was also
t ere soon after nine and obtained suDpenas
for six additional witnesses.
None of the gentlemen publicly invited by
Guiteau to assist in his defence have as yet
responded in person. 1t is understood, now
ever, that Scoville expects to secure the SER
vice of Mr.. Trude of Chicago later in the
week. Several medical experts who have
been summoned by the defence are III atten-
dance among them DIR. Rice of Wisconsin,
who has long known the prisoner and who. it
is said, advised his commitment to an insane
asyl um four years ago on the ground OF emo
tonal insanity.
Gaiteau was brought into court shortly after
10 o'clock aid at once busted himself with his
papers and mail. HIS personal appearance
has undergone marked change since the first
DAYS of the trial. This morning he had evil
IDENTIFY devoted unusual care to dis toilet. He
still wore the coat with the torn sleeve, but his
linen was spotless and his beard, which here
tofore appeared scraggy, seemed to be careful
ly brushed. The wild, frightened look of the
eyes has disappeared as also his habit of look
ing up and casting covert glances about him
without raising his head.
AT ten minutes past ten Scoville resumed
his argument to the jury. He called their at
tention to the plea set up by the defence, of
insanity, and discussed at great length the
growth and changes OF public opinion upon
the subject of insanity and its treatment by
the courts when set up as defence in Grim
inal cases. He cited numerous cases and the
rulings in several noted ones where insanity
was set up. He claimed that The plea of in
| sanity having been set up by the defence the
| burden of proof rests with the prosecution.
| During the progress of Scoviles argument
Guiteau leaned back in his chair, stroked his
beard and apparently followed him closely.
Occasionally he would make some notes and
engage in brief whispered coloquy with his
brother. At one point ScoVille, in detailing
the more enlightened Treatment of the insane
now in vogue at asviums, said, 'In other words
those in charge of asylums act with little more
reason than do the inmates This sally SEEM
ed 10 amuse Guiteau immensely, and broad
smile broke over his features which reappear-
ed two or three times, as his mind REQUIRED to
it. Scoville alluded to the prejudice which
undoubtedly existed against the plea OF inSan-
ity generally and especially in the case of the
prisoner He said the newspapers had init
mated that Guiteau was only feigning insani-
| ty, and such seemed to be the general theory
| of the public.
Guiteau turned uneasily in his chair and
with quick nervous articulation said, II never
feign. I act myself, sane or insane"
Without noting the interruption Scoville al
luded to the arrest of a man at the time of
President Hayes inauguration who was sent to
The insane asylum. This man he said had as
Carefully made all his arrangements to kill
Hayes as did Guiteau to kill President Gar
field and but for his arrest might have sue
ceeded.
Scoville then took up the history of the Gui-
teau family, and said that insanity was heredi-
tary in the family. He detailed Guiteaus &C.
centricities from childhood being several times
interrupted and corrected by the prisoner.
There was just a. much ground to indicate
Guiteau's insanity. Why, said Scoville, even
President Garfield said, "Why did this man do
it. no must be insane" Blaine must have
believed Guiteau insane.
Colonel Corkhill here arose and with much
emphasis said, IF you will allow me, Mr.. SEQ
vile, the President never said he thought he
was insane. He thought him sane all the
time. Blaine never thought him insane. He
has said under oath that he believed him to be
sane'
Scoville explained that he spoke from infor-
nation derived from the newspapers and
would not take issue on the statement He
then took up the history of the Guiteau family,
who were of Huguenot extraction, and who
had, he said, retained TO the present day as a
marked characteristic the sturdy adherence
to the religious convictions which caused the
expatriatiou of the Huguenots. He asserted
that insanity was hereditary III the family and
had to some degree affected Guiteau's father.
He next dwelt at great length upon Guiteau s
history and exploits from childhood to the day
on which he shot the President.
Guiteau appeared generally satisfied with
Scoviles account of his life and experiences,
and aqaently an amusing smile indicated his
appreciation of the humorous, notably when
The whipDings he received as a boy were de-
scribed as having been given with that
vigor which can be shown by man OF strong
religions convictions"
His admission to the bar and circumstances
attending his supposed examination which
really consisted of three questions, two of
which he answered, amused Guiteau immense
ly. AS Scoville related them to the jury he
frequently shrugged his shoulders, and appear
ed TO be perfectly satisfied until Scoville plain
ly intimidated that lack of capacity on Gui-
teau's par had reduced his law practice to the
COLLECTION of bad debts. Guiteau winked and
broke out with II brought great many suits
and generally gave them all they wanted on
the other side. After a moment OF explanation
to the prisoner, Scoville was about to proceed
when Guiteau apparently appessed, waived
his hand pleasantly to Scoville and said, go
on Scovile, that's an interesting story and II is
correct ia detail" Continuing, Scoville said in
effect that Guiteau made good living and
supported his family at this time, and paid his
debls.
Guiteau again broke in with IT had first
class references as we'll as my personal appear
ance, and so got the business. Besides that
had no bad habits of any kind" To Illus
trate Guiteau's freaks, and as an indication of
his insanity Scovlle related his rambling at
tempt to make a speech upon certain occa-
sion when he had been assigned by court as
counsel for a prisoner on trial. Guiteau again
Interrupted in an excited manner and shout
cd, That's absolutely false,I never tried a case
with Charlie Reed i'll my life. L don't want 0
interfere with your theory but your facts are
false. want the jury to understand my pc
cuiarites. That's all right. There are good
many people who will swear that am in
sane"
Recess for 80 minutes was then taken.
After recess Mr.. Scoville continued upon the
same line of illustration, frequently using the
expression mental incompetency" Gulteau
fretted at the slightess. imputation OF lack of
brain power, aud his intense agitation showed
itself in his frequent Interruptions. At one
time lie exclaimed, (taking exceptions to q
state ment of Scovilles) Not true and can't
De shown; always tell the truth" and he
again broke in, II had brains enough but my
mind was devoted to theology, that's why l
ran behind. There's no money i'll the theology
business. I'm out of that now" Mr.. &c.,
vile continuing, spoke of his impecunious
condition at that time as shown by his seedy
clothes, when Guiteau interrupted with show
/ u ltuphtlouCos saying, Wao oAWo Won
dressed, don't put that in." Mr.. Scoville re-
lated an incident in Guileau's life which his
friends thought at the time indicated insanity.
Guitean, with much warmth, said, Eve
heard that story before and it is absolutely
false. Don't tell any such stuff as that again. F"
Mr.. Scoville then related Guiteau's varied
experiences during the Moody and Sankey re-
vivals, and his efforts and failures as lecturer
on religious subjects and the lack of apprecia-
ton shown by bis audiences. Guiteau supplied
the explanaton-''Nsw ideas on that subject,
they hadn't got to them at that time," aud
thinking, perhaps, he had not quite made his
meaning plain he added soon afterwards, II
had ideas, but no reputation and ideas could
not draw" Guiteau's belief that he
was serving the Lord and that it
was the Lords business to pay his debts
incurred in his service was maintained by
| Scoville when Gulteau laughingy supplied
another illustra ion saying, II deadheaded
| from Toledo to Chicago on the impression my
| appearance made with the conductors. Got
| put off twice though" Scoville continued his
| description of Guiteau's religious experiences
and was frequently interrupted by the
prisoner with II left five thousand dollar
law business to do that work and you see how
| made out with it. And again, Same kind
of business the Apostle Paul was engaged in.
He got his pay and I expect to get mine some
| time out OF that book wrote +" A moment
| altar with a show of enthusiasm ard raising