The Benton weekly record. [volume] (Benton, Mont.) 1880-1885, 1881-12-08
GuiteaW Himself "a Witness.

&uiteau Himself "a Witness.
WASHINGTON, November 29.-Upon the
opening Of court Guiteau took the witness
stand. Scoville asked him to give some OF
his earliest recollections of his mother.
Guiteau-s'Am [ to be put on as regrl-
lar witness to-day or only to identify some
letters. / supposed the latter. / am not
feeling at all well to-day, but shall be
much better in a week Or so.n
Scoville-EI had arranged to examine
you to-day and there are no other witnesses
present"
Gt1iteau-"You should have had your
witnesses on hand. | object to going on
the stand when | am not feeling well, to
be subject to a cross examination by the
counsel for the prosecution. I have got a
good deal to say. / want to go over the
whole business carefully and scientifically
so to speak, and want to be in good talk
ing condition"
Scoville-sI shall only ask you some
simple questions"
Guiteau-EI am willing to answer, pro-
yided the prosecution will not take advan-
tage Of my presence on the stand to force
me to state my entire defense"
Judge Porter, Of the prosecution, sug-
gested that the papers and letters which
were put tia@5Ff6 evidence. and identified
yesterday should be read, as they must ne
cessarily be at some stage Of the trial.
Scoville explained that he had endeayor-
cd to arrange for the Introduction of his
evidence according to his idea Of propriety
and legal effect. He said he knew
the prisoner was not feeling well to-day
and he had expected he would become
tired or exhausted, when he had proposed
to ask the indulgence of the court and
postpone further examination. He did
desire, however, to ask the prisoner q few
questions to-day.
Guiteau-s<I am perfectly willing to do
that, but Id do not want the prosecution to
take advantage Of my presence here to
cross examine me to-day
Scoyille-s"The court viii relieve you if
you feel ILL.,
Guiteau-'"With that understanding I
viii go on"
Col. Corkhil1-"We cannot submit to
any such arrangement as that
Scoville-s'We do not ask your consent.
[ shall appeal to the court.
Judge Cox stated that if the witness
went on the stand to testify he must sub
init to being cross-examined and If his ex-
animation as q witness was commenced it
could not be suspended, except by the
consent of the counsel on the other side.
Guiteau (nodding his head approyingly)
seThat's the rule, Judge, as | understand
it,
After some further discussion Guiteau
was removed from the stand and Scoville
proceeded to read the letters. They were
all written by Guiteau to his father and
other members Of his family and covered a
period Of Is or 20 years.
AS the reading Of the letters progressed,
Guiteau occasionally commented upon
them, or suggested q proper word when
scoyille hesitated. While one from the
Oneida Community was being read, G1li-
teau said: s.Well, you can see I was badly
eranked about that time" At another
time Scoville hesitated and said Theresa
word Icannot make out"
ssCiYilization is the word" !" prompted
guiteau. You can see how badly mixed
[ got in that miserable community. It
makes ME mad every time think Of it.
wish these letters were out Of existence. :
scoYille read from one Of these letters:
II am in with Jesus Christ & Company
md i an working for them
ssThat was my sentiment H said Gniteau,
aand that has been my position ever
since.
In another letter addressed to his father.
.he prisoner had requested 5000 or $500.
.4uiteau commented upon this letter, say
ng: Father didn't send any money; ne
always thought was badly cranked.'
Another letter was read, in which the
writer criticised seVerelythe Oneida Com.
nunity, and referred to / circular renelosed
which also denounced the Community and
Is practices.
Gufteau exclaimed Several q then eW5
York llailies took np my circular and de-
voted editorial comments to IT, mat was.
little bit Of revenge 4 had for living N
nat miserable society. Pn glad 20 know
.hev are broken up now. was aVIrtuoas.|
nan all the time / was there, though;
want that understood.
The reading of the letters was finished I
Il noon. and aauiteau resumed the witness
stand. /