Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-11-18
District Attorney Corkhill Eloquently
Opens the Case.
Secretary Blaine Tells the Story Of tn
Assassination
THE EXAMINATION OF OTHER WIT
NESSES.

said that there had been no disagreement be-
tween himself and Robinson, as would ap-
pear from certain publications, and in con-
clusion he said that Robinson would render
| all the aid possible in the case, and that they
would work in harmony. AT this point Cult
eau rose and objected to Robinson taking
part in his defence. He said he would man.
age his own case. and would not trust Rob-
| inson with anything, as he had no brains. He
wished the Court to understand him on this
point, and if the counsel were forced upon
him he would make noise about it to the
whole country. He represented the Deity in
this case and wished the Court to understand
it. Continuing, he said, two or three blum
derbuss LAWYERS would lose the case for him,
and he did not propose to submit to ANYTHING
of the kind. The Court informed the pris-
oner that if he did not remain quiet he would
be removed from the room. After few
minutes the prisoner burst out afresh, with
the remark .'there is not a word of truth in
the Chicago dispatch published in the Post
this morning. 1t is a downright lie from be-
ginning to end.
This is q dispatch regarding the arrest of
q supposed accomplice of Guiteau. For
some time after his last remark the prisoner
conversed in an excited manner with his
counsel and brother, at intervals using his
clenched fist upon the desk before him in
demonstrative manner. few minutes later
the opening statement was made by L. S.
District Attorney Corkhill. The reported
arrest of an alleged accomplice of Guiteau
at Kensington, o., is denied by District At
torney COrkhill.
Nav it please the Court and Gentlemen of
the Jury: The prisoner at the bar stands
before You charged with the murder of James
A. Garfield. Under any circumstances there
rests grave and responsible obligation upon
every man who is called upon in the discharge
under the law to render a decision upon
which depends the life of fellow creature,
and while it is true that the offence charged
in the present case is no greater in legal
gravity and consequences to the prisoner than
by bis act he had taken the life of the hum
blest ard most obscure of the citizens of this
republic, still, it is idle to overlook the fact
that the eminent character of the man whose
life was taken, his high official position. and
the startling effects of the commission of the
crime, rendered the case one of unusual and
and unparalleled Importance. 1t is the second
time in our history that the citizen chosen by
the people to discharge the high and respon-
sible duties of President, has fallen victim
to lawless assassin during the period of in
cumbence of the office. But in the former
case we were just emerging from a long and
bloody war. The country had been racked
by connections and stirred by civil teuds
throughout the length and breadth of the
land. Nearly every household mourned the
loss of relatives or of friends slain on the
contested battle fields of the republic. 1t
was a danger that thoughtful men had antici-
pated; it was a calamity that patriots had
feared, and when it came with all its dread
consequences it was accepted as one of the
results of the then disordered and discordsnt
conditions of public affairs. But we had
passed from the arena of the war.
The sword had been beaten into the plow-
share, and the spear into the pruning hook,
the country was united; peace reigned at
home and abroad; there were no local dis
sensions; there was no intestine strife; seed
| time and harvest had come and gone. The
| battlefields redeemed from the scars and hav-
&C of their bloody contests, were blossoming
with the fruits of peaceful labor. Suddenly
the startling fact was proclaimed throughout
the land. and around the entire world that
the President had fallen, victim to the as
sassin's bullet in the capitol of the nation.
Murder upon all occasions and under all cir
cumstances is shocking. The lite of which
we know so little and which we hold by so
fragile tenure, is dear to us all when it is
brought to a close, not in the usual order
| and course of events, but prematurely, BY
violence, no matter what may be the condi-
ton of the person, the human mind is ap.
palled with terror When man holding a
position of eminence and power falls the
careles victim of the murderer's stroke, we
realize still more fully the awfulness of the
deed which produces this result.
Corkhill delivered his opening statement
with considerable oratorical power. Guiteau
paid close attention and felt the sting OF
| - <ha &c tbo -
torney. Once he burst out into correction
and explanation.
Judge Porter reminded the court that the
administration of justice must not be inter.
fered with BY clamOr or contumancy of the
prisoner. He must insist on order.
Judge Cox said it was within the power Of
the court to remove the prisoner and proceed
in his absence, and he would adopt hi:
course if the prisoner didn't keep still.
This warning apparently cowed Guiteau
Who said with scared and propitiatory smile
that he would try and command himself
You must excuse" he said; Il feel very
deeply on this case"
Corkhill then proceeded, and concluded
his remarks amid applause.
Blaine was called to the stand a. the firs
witness, and. being sworn, was asked to give
a narrative account of the shooting. which
he furnished. He spoke slowly. calmly anG
with much gravity of manner, and his state
ment, clothed in graphic language, was lis
tened to in silence which was oppressive in
its intensity. His testimony contained
nothing that has not appeared.
Corkhill then read Guiteau's campaign
speech and correspondence.
At the conclusion of Corkhills argumen;
there was long and continued applause
Mrs. Scoville, the sister of the prisoner.
: cried bitterly during the delivery of the ar
guemnt. and her little child could be seen
appealing in an affectionate manner: ma.
ma, mamma, what is the matter?"
Secretary Blaine was then called to the
witness stand. and detailed the removal OF
the President to the White House and other
matters pertaining to the shooting-all OF
which has been published heretofore In re-
Spouse to Col. Corkhill, Secretary Blaine
! testified that Guiteau visited the department,
many times. seeking the appointment of the
Consul-Generalship at Paris. He informed
Guiteau that there was no prospects of his
receiving the desired appointment and re-