The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1881-11-18
SCENE AT GU1rEAU,s TRIAL.

The trial of the assassin Guiteau is
progressing at Washington before
Judge Cox, and he's gone as far, by
this time, as swear ingthe jury. Guiteau
was brought into Court Monday, look
iDg,restless and furtive, and taking
seat by his sister, MIS-. Scoville, began
fumbling in his pocket for some papers
which he only partly withdrew, his
counsel ordering him to put them
back, which he did. A press dispatch
furnishes US with description of a
scene which then followed:
The District Attorney rose and de-
clared the readiness of the prosecution
to proceed with the case. Mr.. Robinson
arose to make his plea for still more
time to prepare for the defense, which
appeared not to meet the approval of
Gulteau. All the time that Robinson
was speaking Guiteau was carrying on
what appeared to be remonstrance
with Scoville, who was apparently
trying to quiet and suppress him. No
sooner had Robinson taken hisseat than
the prisoner rose, and in an excited
manner, addressed the Court, and stat
ed that he wished to- be heard. In vain
Mr.. Scoville endeavored to make him
resume his seat and remain quiet. He
was irrepressible.
Ina nervous but pretty distinct man
ner he proceeded with his speech as
follows: 81 was not aware that my
counsel (Mr. Robinson) intended this
morning to make application for a
postponement, and desire to be heard
In my own behalf in this matter at the
threshold of the case. I am charged
with q murderous attempt, and desire
to be heard in my own behalf.''
The Court-This is not the proper
time to enter upon the. defense. The
only question before the Court is
whether further time should be allowed
counsel to prepare for the defense.
The prisoner, emphatically-So far
as am concerned, I don't want further
time. We are ready to try the case
now.
To II Deputy Marshal who endeav-
ored to restrain the prisoner, he said,
"Will you be quiet?''
The Court-The question is whether
further time ought to be allowed coun-
sci.
The prisoner, emphatically-I do
not want that, if tho Court please.
District attorney Corkhill insisted
that the trial should proceed now.
MI. Robinson pressed his. claim for u
postponement.
Owing to the opposition of Scoville
and the prisoner to the application of
Robinson for an extension of time, the
Court stated that for tho present tho
case should proceed as far at least as
swearing the jury is concerned, and
then would consider the question of
extension.
The papers which the assassin had in
his pocket, it is stated in tho dispatch
from which we have quoted, was the
manuscript OF speech he had prepared
In his defense, brief synopsis of
which may be given as indicating the
assassin's view of his terrible crime
and to what extent the plea of insan
ity may be urged. The dispatch states
In the speech which Guiteau hay
prepared for delivery in Court to-dad
he says he is charged with numbering
one James A. Garfield. Nothing can be
more absurd, because General Garfield
died of malpractice. Gen. Garfield
was a good man, but weak politician.
Being President, he was in position
to do vast harm to the Republic, and
AAS " $40 ~AoAD5 ~ ny uu" lSC uSC VI put
ronage, and the Lord and himself took
the responsibility of removing him;
that his duty to the Lord and to the
American people overcame his personal
feelings toward General Garfield, and
he sought to remove him. Not being
marksman, Gen. Garfield was not
fatally shot, but incompetent physici
ans finished the work, and they, not
himself, are responsible for his death
He then speaks of the breach in tho
Republican party and his resolve to re
move the President. And claims tina,
duty ordered him to fire the shot. HI
refers to his work on theology, insanity
in his family, his married life, and his
life in prison, and appeals to those
whom he says he has put in position
and to the general public, to send him
money for his defense.
The following notice to contractors
has been issued by Mr.. G. Bouscaren,
consulting engineer of the Inlarger
syndicate:
Sealed pronoSoIS will hn roceiy oc nv.