The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1881-12-02

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The trial of Guiteau is another page
in volumes Of evidence going to show
that the methods Of dealing with no.
torious criminals employed in this
country are defective in one respect,
if not radically wrong.
The speedy and public trial guar
anteed to criminals by our constitution
Is intended for the benefit of the ac-
cused person, based upon the ground
that an innocent man can best show
his innocence publicly, that the bur-
den of proof rests with the prosecution,
and that he is entitled to whatever
sympathy he can gain in open court.
But there is another side to the ques-
ton.
Trials are no less an example of the
| operation Of justice-of the speedy
and sure retribution that will overtake
the wrong-doer--than they are means
Of giving him a fair chance for his life
by publicly establishing his Innocence.
1t is in this aspect that the trial Of
Guiteau is an entire failure. Its infiu-
ence can only be demoralizing upon
acknowledgement persons of his pc.
culiar class. The silly and fiippaht in
terruptions Of this idiotic reprobate,
the mirth his often shrewd remarks
excite, and the attention he receives,
are fast making fool of him, drawing
attention from the hideous crime that
has brought him so prominently into
public notice, and turning to ridicule
an inhuman deed. There should be
some means employed to prevent such
an effect. He should not be allowed to
go on as he does. If he cannot be
stopped in any other way, and it is nee
essary that he should be present at the
trial, he should be bound and gagged.
The trial should be conducted with a
dignity and solemnity that would make
the evil disposed tremble at the thought
Of coming before such a tribunal.
What is the case? Guiteau rides to
the trial in a prison van, escorted by
mounted guards. In imagination, the
van is kingly chariot, surrounded
by armed and loyal retainers. At the
court room he is the observed of all OBJ
servers. He is allowed to say what
ever he chooses, and the crowd laughs.
His words and looks are treasured I'D
as those of king. How this treat
ment works upon his disordered i'm
agination is only too evident from his
vain and boastful bearing, his bombas-
tic remarks and interferences.
The effect Of all this cannot be other
wise than demoralizing to the opera
ton Of justice and its efficacy in deal
ing with criminals of Guiteau's pecu-
liar order. Guiteau is a crank. The
meaning of this term is that he is a
peculiarly intelligent fool. He has de.
cided intellectual powers, but they are
not well balanced. His bump of van
ity oyershadows all his other gifts.
To him notoriety is everything
What though brief9 Honor, renown,
life itself, is brief. Notoriety he now
enjoys. He plumes himself upon it.
This is the reward he hoped to gain,
and he is getting it. 1t matters not
that this craving for notoriety has been
gained at a fearful risk, or that it seems
utterly worthless to everybody else I'M
der such circumstances. To him it is
the bread of life-the one great aim
foiled at every other venture, but sue
cessful at last in this. Cranks all over
the country are watching with envy
the attention he is receiving. Men
only half cranks before will become
wholly so with this example before
them Of the ease with which eagerness
for notoriety is satisfied.
The turn the trial has taken may be
fairly suspected of being shrewd en-
deavor on the part of Guiteau's attor-
ney, who is peculiarly we'll acquainted
with his disorder, to provoke and draw
out all his diabolical peculiarities.
The dignity and ability with which
Mr. Scoyille has thus far conducted a
seemingly hopeless defence, the lack of
any motive other than that of kinshJn
has gained for him the respect OF Judge
and jury, and all who have listened to
or read of the trial. The keen instinct
of the lawyer has suggested to him
this mode Of introducing circumstan-
tial testimony from the prisoner him
self of his own insanity.
Laughter tends to soften mems
hearts and make them forget their
sterner duties. The apt sallies Of this
half fool, half lunatic, but wholly re-
qRnYu{hlM vilhoir a0a hn~s~