Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-10-26
THE CASE OF GUITEAU.

THE CASE OF GUITEAU.
The Trial Fixed for November 1Ath-.
Mr.. ScoviIle Says the Defence will NO,
Raise the Question Of Jurisdiction.
This morning, In the Criminal Court, the case of
Guiteau was up on motion for postponement
| OF the trial, Col Corkhill and Mr.. Davtdge repre-
| senting the government, and Messrs. Scoville and
| Robinson the prisoner.
MR. RoB1NsoN's REASONS FOR ASKING A POSTPONE
| MENT.
| Mr. Robinson said he had motion to make in
the case of Guiteau, and it was with some reluc-
tance that he came before the court to ask post
ponement, for he did not wish to delay the case
| unnecessarily. The court was, perhaps, aware
| that he was taken from the midst OF his engage
Court OF the United States which will be reached
IN short time, and anOther,which should be tried
IN the court OF Fairfax county, Va, the very week
IN Whlch this case Is set, pOStponement OF which
would carry the over for six months He asked
this postpone ment because the time was short and
as yet ne had been able to have but one consulta-
ton with his colleague, (Air. Scovile,) and up to
.. unls Ime m ne mad never seen the prisoner except
wneh tht ne & was arraigned He reminded the court
than client, he having been, under the assign
ment e,,t1 OF 1t the court placed in this position He
would not ask this pOStponement were it not In
dispensable to enable them to properly defend the
accused. If'as a result of the postponement it
arrived when sane man would kill the President
OF the United States simply because he is the
PRESIDENT, the country would be relieved He re-
peated that when assigned he was in the midst OF
his engagements, and it required some time to
arrange his business in order to properly enter
upon the preparation Of this case, and that thus
far he had had but little time.
COL coRKHHL PROTESTS AGAINST PosTpoNEMENT.
Col. Corkhill remarked that under ordinary
circumstances he would not make any serious op-
position to delay but there were circumstances as
70 the setting OF this case for trial of peculiar
nature. Wien the day was fixed for trial it was
with the full understanding that the trial should
then go on. November 7th was the day fixed and
when Mr Robinson accepted his assignment to
the case he accepted it Jas it stood at the time
Whlle Mr. RS engagements were urged as a
re reason for postponement it should be remem-
slde OF the government eminent counsel
w WHOSE tnaso - enTgagep1ents T were as important
In addition, Judge Porter, of New York, teegraphs
thls morning, accepting the position OF associate
counsel Ior the government and he doubtless ac
ceptS 1t with the understanding that the case will
come up on the day set SO it will be seen that
other embarrassing complications may arise If the
trial is postponed AS to what has been said as to
what may be the result of postponement-the
proving that the act was that OF an insane man
that ne S has M
looking for such a result; but were waiting patti
emily to see If this man, guilty OF a most brutal
punishment: If be will expiate his crime He pro-
tested against any further postponement
POsTPONEMENT TO NOVEMBER 14TH.
Judge Cox said that It was due that the prisoner
should have fair and dfimpartial trial. in the full
meaning OF the word.,f To some extent this was
remarkable and exceptional case, and it should
receive grave consideration. When the time was
1lrst suggested he was undecided whether to fiX
Cne 1th or 18th, and as Mr. Robinson had been
called In by the court he would postpone the trial
one week, to November 18th, and on that day the
Trial must begin.
MR.. scovILLE WILL NOT RAISE THE QUESTION OF
JURISDICTION.
Mr.. Davidge asked what was to be done with the
question OF Jurisdiction. He had understood that
the court desired that that question should be set
tied before the trial
The court remarked that If this question was
argued he preferred that it should be preliminary
to the trial, for it might obvate any trial at all
Mr. ScoVille said that he had suggested the point
as to jurisdiction but on examining the subject he
was satisfied that the court had Jurisdiction, and
ne would not attempt to argue the question against
league had the same opinion.
Mr. Robinson remarked that he conceded with |
Mr. Scov1lle on this question, but he did not de- |
sire to commit himself at this.time.
Ihec court replied that the statements would not |
fixed for November 14th
JUDGE PORTER TO ASSIST THE PROSECUTION.
District Attorney COrkhill has received a tele-
gram from Judge Porter, OF New York, stating
that he will assist the government counsel in the
OF Guiteau.
TREASURY DECISION AS TO PAYMENT OF EXPENSES
OF GUITEAU'S WITNESSES.
Judge Lawrence, first comptroller of the Treas
ury department., to-day delivered an opinion in the
matter OF paying for witnesses and fees in
the Guiteau trial Judge Lawrence decides that
case OF the United States VS. Guiteau viii have to
De paid by the government II the witnesses are
within radius Of one hundred miles of the juris-
diction of the court trying him. These expenses
are to be paid upon the marshal's presenting his
accounts therefor. Outside the radius of one hun
dred miles the decision is thatthe expenses cannot
be paid by the government. This decision OF Judge
Lawrence would include in any other locality than
the District much wider range, for it is that the
expenses are to be paid to distance OF one hum
dred miles beyond the courts jurisdiction. All |
other United States judicial circuits embrace
the one hundred mile extension limit all the terri
tory that 1t would be necessary to draw upon for
witnesses.
GUITEAu's BOOK.
Mr.. ScOvflle has received a copy OF Gufteau's
book, entitled "Truth: Companion to the Bible" +"
1t Is published by Boston firm. 1t is Of little in
erest even to those who seek comfort in religious
literature The copy which. Guiteau had anno-
tated IN order TO have revised edition published
is In the custody Of the court it having been sub
mitted In evidence to the grand jury.
PARTING CALLS OF THE FRENCH GUESTS TO-DAY.
The French guests, s,unaccompan1ed by the ladies of
the party, left the Arlington Hotel at half-past
twelve O'Clock this afternoon They were accom-
panied by Mr.. S. A.. Brown They first went to the
to Secretary Blaine. The Secretary met them in
the reception room of the department. There was
no speech-making, but simple interchange OF
couresie the foreigners being very profuse in their
thanks for the manner in which they had been
entertained at the hands OF the head OF the State
department Leaving the department. after a call
Of some duration, the guests again took carriages
and went to Capitol Hill to pay their respects to
President Arthur. Secretary Blaine and Mr..
Brown accompanied them. Afterwards the other
departments were visited and the Secretaries called
upon. The guests will leave tomorrow morning
at ten O'Clock for Philadelphia, going from there
10 Boston.
THE GERMAN GUESTS passed west this morning
from Baltimore over the B. & O. r. R, and were
met at the station by Secretary Blaine, Assistant
secretary Walker Blaine and Mr.. Louis Schade.
The Secretary inquired ii they had pleasant time
n baltimore, to which they replied in warm terms,
adding that they should go back to Germany en-
thusiastic over the welcome which had been ex-
tended to them In this country by its government
and its private citizens as well The B. & O. R r. |
furnished the distinguished guests one OF its hand
sOmest palace cars, and placed in charge of Spe-
,ial crew. 1t will go through to Cincinnati.
DESERVED CoNPLIMENT.-Major Brock has is
an or1p pYnrpSSinC his Safic 1