Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-12-02

He vas first asked whether at the time OF
hi. last interview with Secretary Blaine ne
eave the latter 70 understand ne woold
sunnort him for the Presidency. He
renlied in the negative. Upon Judge
Porter's reading, however. paragraph
from letter of Guitean's % sec
Rotary Blaine, saying, be (Guiteau) noped 70
get back from Paris in time 70 be OF service
to him (Blaine) in the republican convention
of 81. Witness modified the previous an
.wer and admitted he had some such ioea-
Judge Porter-s.Stop there. What would
YOU have thought of your account in killing
the President had he given you the Paris
c,nsulship instead of having refused IL:
Guiteau had previously said that Garfield
was his warm personal and political friend; ;
thar no personal motives whatever were in
yolved in his account, and fearing that some
tran was being set for him, he hesitated, and
then with great emphasis said: Il want 10
lust fasten you solid right here. l wouldn't
have taken the Paris consulship affer the Isl
of June if had been appointed to 1t; NOT
if the President and Blaine had both oesieged
me on their knees to take it. had, at that
time resolved to remove the President LOT
the good of the American people.
Recess.
Judge Porter resumed the cross-examina-
ton of Guiteau at quarter past one and be-
gan with the question:
Q-Do you mean to support Blame for the
next President?
Guiteau replied, 81 never gave the matter
much attention"
Witness had some such idea that he would
assist Blaine if he would get the Paris con-
sulship, but as he (Blaine) had been twice
slaughtered. by the convention, for his rail-
road record he did not think he would ever
be nominated. Witness felt deep interest
in Garfield at the time of his election. "Y on
tickle me and will tickle you is the theory
and practice of politics." Witness wanted it
understood that his feelings were entirely
different, previous to the 30th of May, from
what they were at the time when he resolved
to remove the President.
Judge Porter-Had you purpose in tell
ing Blaine that.
Al had not a special purpose about it.
I simply made suggestion to him that in case
he assisted me in getting the Paris consul
ship should feel bound in case he was can
didate at the National convention to assist
him. That is the way they do in politics.
Judge, understand that that is the way
politicians get on. ''You tickle me and l
tickle you
Odd you try to tickle President Gar
field?"
similar suggestion to President Garfield at
the time was pressing my application in
March and April.
Witness then said he and all the stalw arts
were deeply interested in Garfield after his
Inauguration. There was perfect harmony
until he began to make war on the stalwarts
in the matter of patronage, then there was
q decided reaction.
Odd you write President Garfield. the
Sth of April, letter marked "Priv-
ate," in which you said II intend 20 express
my sympathy for you on account of the pres
sure that has been on you since you came to
this city?"
Ayes, wrote that letter. My idea was
just this: To express my personal regard for
Garfield, on account of the pres
sure on him for office, and that is what l
meant by saying considered him my per-
sonal friend. symptahize with any Presi-
dent who has this enormous horde of office
seekers at his throat.
The cross examination was continued at
great length.