Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1881-11-17
GUITEAUPS TRIAL.
Increased Interest and Attend
ance Of Ladies.
Sensational Story About an
AccOmpliCe of the As
sassin,
Which is EmphatlCaIIy Denied.
Counsel SCOville Makes a Personal
Explanation.
Gulteau Tries To Make a Few Remarks.
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Gultsau Tries To Make a Few Remarks
MIR. Bliss Comes in as a witness,

WASHINGTON, November lI.-By
half past nine o'clock this morning
the Criminal Court room was well
filed. There was a noticeable increase
in the number Of ladies present. Each
day Of the proceedings appear to in
crease public interest in the trial.
The doors were thrown open to the
public few minutes before 10o'clock
This was the signal for a general
stampede. A number of colored men
and half-grown boys deliberately
threw themselves over the backs Of
the rear seats in order to procure a
point from which they could view the
prisoner.
Mrs. Scoville entered the courtroom
at 10 o'clock accompanied by her little
daughter, about five years Of age.
A story was published in morning
paper, purporting to give the details of
the arrest of an accOmplice of Guiteau
in Kensington, Ohio, yesterday, and
stating that telegraphic correspond
ence had occurred on the subject be.
tween the authorities in that place
and District Attorney Corkhill. The
latter officer denies that he has had
any such correspondence, and says he
knows nothing of the story, and if he
did he should not feel at liberty to
talk about it for publication.
Immediately after the court opened
Counsel ScOville arose to make a
personal explanation, in which he
said there had been no disagreement
between himself and Robinson, as
would appear from certain publica
tions, and, in conclusion, said Robin
son would render all aid possible in
the case, and that they would work in
harmony at this point.
Guiteau arose and objected to Rob-
inson taking part in the defense. He
said he would manage his own case,
and would not trust Robinson with
anything, as he had no brains. he
wished the court to understand him
on this point, and if counsel were
forced upon him, he would make noise
about it to the country. He repre-
scnted the Deity in this case, and
wished the court to understand h.
Continuing, he said that two or three
blunderbuss lawyers would lose the
case for him, and he did not propose
to submit to anything of the kind.
The court informed the prisoner
that if he did not remain quiet he
would be removed from the room.
After few moments the prisoner
burst out afresh with the remark:
There is not a word of truth 10 the
Chicago dispatch published in the
Post this morning. 1t is a lie from
beginning to end" This is the dis
patch referred to above regarding the
arrest Of the supposed accomplice Of
Guiteau.
For some time after this last remark
the prisoner conversed in a very ex-
cited manner with his counsel and
brother at intervals, using his clench-
ed fist upon the desk before him in an
exceedingly demonstralive manner.
At 1890 o'clock Secretary Blaine &C.
oompanied by Assistant Secretary
Walker Blaine and Chief Clerk
Brown entered thu court room and
were ushered to seats Immediately in
the rear of counsel for government. A
few minutes later the following open
ing statement was made by United
States District Attorney Corkhill
"May it please the court and gentle
men of the jury, the prisoner at the bal
stands. before you charged with the
murder of James A. Garfield. Under
any circumstances there rests grave
and responsible obligations upon every
man called upon in the discharge O
his duty under the law to reEder
decision upon which depends the hf,
of fellow creature, and while it il
true that the offcnse charged in tn,
present case is no greater in lega
gravity and consequences to the
prisoner than if by his ac
he had taken the life of thu
humblest and most obscure citizen o
the Republic. Still it is idle to over
look the fact that the eminent charac
ter whose life was taken, his high off
cial position, and the startling effeo
of the commission of the crime, will
/ I
render the case of unusual and unpar
allcled importance.
1t is the second time in our histor
that a citizen chosen by the peo
pie Of the United States, to discharg,
the high and responsible duties @
> President has fallen victim to law
less assassin.
But in the former case we were jus
emerging from the shadows of a lon
r and bloody war. The country ha
Q been racked by commotion and stirre
, by civil feuds. Throughout th
! length and breadth of the land nearl
every household mourned the los
! !