New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-11-15
THE PROCEEDINGS IN DELAIL.

GUITEAU DETER uINED TO PLAY A PROMINENT
PART IN THE MANAGEMENT OF HIS own CASE
AN APPLICATION FOR DELAY, MADE BY MIR.
ROBINSON, RE.IsTED BY THE DlSTldCT-AI-
TORNFY, RESENTED BY Mr.. s'OvILLE AND
GUIrEAU, AND REFUSED BY THE CoURT-FIvE
JURORS OBTAINED AND A NEW PANEL DERED.
WASHINGTON Nov. 14.--As sooE as the pub
lie door Of the District Supreme Court room opened
this morning. the seats for spectators were filled In
short while the lawyers took their places; District
Attorney Corkhill. Mr.. Porter, OF New.York and Mr.
Davidce. of Washington for the prosecution, AMI Mr.
Scovile and Leigh Robinson for the defence Mr. Smith
was present TO represent the AttOrneyGeneral. Mrs.
scOvile attired in black occupied seat near her hus
band having her brother John W. Guteau, ON one side
her. the other side vacant chair reserved for
her other brother, the prisoner.
At 10 O'Clock Judge Cox entered the cour-room and
the declared formally opened by the crer in
the old Norman form Immediately thereafter the prs-
oner Guiteau was brought into the courtroom by the
marshal and his deputies He relieved Of his hand
cuffs and took his seat beside his sister One Of his first
movements TO thrust his hand into one OF his
pockets and half take ont roll Of paper Mr. Scovic,
however, dumb play ordered him to put it back and
he did
Dstrct-Attorney Corkhiu stated that the Government
ready TO proceed with the trial.
Mr. Robinson said that when he had been assigned to
this case neither the eminent counsel assisting in
the prosecution had retained by the Government
AT that time gentleman I'm Chicago had been expected
TO assist in the Shortly afteTward It had been
stated that he would not be able TO be present.
It would be truly remarkable If he not very seu-
sible Of the great disparity Of force which mad been
created by the addition the prosecution few days
ago his Honor had suggested that he could assign the
defence additional counsel As It had been In
his (Robnsons) power he had sought the aid Of such
additional counsel. He had applied TO a well-knowu
of the District bar and laid before him the u
alton OF the case, stating him that it absolutely
imperative that should have assistance The gentle
man in question had said that ne did not how he
could mt this time come into the He had then
asked the gentleman whether he could do 80 in two
weeks and whether he would f he ordered 70 do
30 by the Court He therefore, going 10 ask o his
Honor to give him the time necessary for the Court 20
make the It would be remarkable II in this
in which he practically alone he would NOT have
assistance On the day OF the prisoners arraignmcnt
Mr. scoville had stated that he not familiar with
tine practice OF criminal law. The relationship OF that
gentleman 10 the accused also disqualified him in tho
estimate OF many from rendering that assstance%lch
he diobinson) required as an associate For the fair
trial Of this assistance absolutely necessary
He had no other motive than acquit himself faith
fully 10 the profession. He had other grounds upon
which 10 his request for the delay. There at
least three material witnesses for the defence who
absent this District and could certainly not be here
before December l. lie would give the names 0f those
of the fact If the prosecution reo"rcd IT, He then filed
| the all layit to which he had re. rred.
| GUITEAU OBJECTS To DELAY.
Here the prisoner and in an excited manner ad-
dressed the and stated that he wished heard
In vain Mr. scoville endeavored 70 make him his
! seat he was irrepressible. In but pretty
| distinct manner he proceeded with his speech ~
! follows: al was not aware that my counsel.
Mr. Robinson. intended tnls morning 10 make an appll
cation pOstpOnemcn and desire to be heard in my
own behalf in this matter at the very threshold Of this
case am charged here with murderous attempt, and
! | desire TO be heard III my own behalf"
The Court-Tls is not the proper time to enter upon
the defence The only question before the Court is
whether further time ahoud be allowed pre-
| pare for the defence
The prisoner (emphatically-so far am concerned
do not want further time. We ready TO try this
case now. 90 deputy marshal. who endcayored TO
restrain the prisoner VIII you be quieti
| The Court-1he question ia whether further time
ought to be allowed to counsel
The Prisoner (persistcny)-I do not want that, If
| the Court please.
The District-A Attorney The Government must insist
as far as can this trial proceeding The Court
will rccoect that the Govcrnmentas represented by
your Honor-has extended to the defence all court
cav all the lberaity that could possibly be demanded
by any prisoner. This crime was committed the ID
Of July last The prisoner arraigned the sth
October lie at that time represented By counsel
by counsel OF reputation. Of ability, gentleman fully
able to entire charge OF the case Notwithstanding
his relations to the prisoner The time fixed for the trial
on that occasion, fixed with the understanding that
the trial must proceed that day When the statement
made that the prisoner unable to procure the
attendance Of witnesses, your Honor only ordered
processes of the court to which prisoner
titled, but allowed him the right the Govern
en had have the expenses of his witnesses paid by
the Uned States The Government could never get TO
trial in of this Importance If such as are
now alleged regarded sufficient the continu.
ance of a IL may well be that, with all Mr. Robin
sons ability he may shrink from taking the RESPONSE
bility OF going on with the Almost any lawyer
would shrink, and prefer to have time in such a
case Bnt there other interests which must be
sidered A great crime has been committed There ia a
public demand If this prisoner guilty he should
be punished, and II not guilty, that the jury should say
So Mr.. Robinson says that he has consulted with emf
nent gentleman, whom he wishes tOhave associated with
him, and who will give him an answer at some future
tune. A continuance OF the would do good Ii
would accomplish nothing except the allowing OF Mr.
SAYS that there are Tee important witnesses whose
he declines divuge lest their publication might
the trial it should be found that these witnesses not
here the process Of the Court enforce their attend
ance, without any trouble.
Mr.. Robnson-I will swear to the affidavit, and will
give 70 the Court the names OF the three witnesses
from which the Court will that IL is npracoable q
have them here now, but that they be here in the
course OF the next three weeks.
Mr. Robinson proceeded 70 the clerks desk aud swore
10 the affidavit While he was thus engaged the prisoner
toward another outbreak, but was restrained by Mr.
scOville and two Deputy Marsals, who sitting al
rectly behind him.
Mr.. sCovILLE BECOMES AGGRIEvED.
Mr. scoyille then sad-This is proceeding which Is
nj least peculiar II not unprecedented. Il is very re
markable indeed that application OF this kind should
be made aud that should have had no previous notice
Of H. that should be permitted 20 the a
| Javit which has been presented TO the Court.
Mr. KobInson-There is no earthly objection 10 your
Mr scoyiIe-very well; wait moment, say that