New-York tribune., 1881-12-04
SCENES IN THE COURTROOM.

lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.
WASHINGTON, Dec 3.-This was a quiet day in
the Guiteau trial The testimony of the experts
was not reached and Guiteau himself whether be-
cause he was exhausted with his three days on tho
rack of croSs-examination or because a sullen mood
had come over him, had little to say. The crowd
was smaller than OH recent days. but the difference
was only in degree, and slight at that. The jury
were able to stretch their legs and witnesses could
get 10 and from the witness-box without struggling
through a crowd. But that part of the room re-
served for spectators seemed just as tightly packed
as before.
When the prisoner had been brought in he sat in
his usual place, and the three Guiteaus-Alrs. SEQ
vile, John w. Guiteau and the assassrn-sat in .
row with Mr. Scoville at the left of the latter. Tho
two brothers and the sister, who meet in this teTT
BILE and anomalous situation, held frequent whs-
pered discussions in which the assassin always grew
angry and plainly showed his ill-humor with them.
The three made a curious group; the assassin with
his haggard face and shaggy, cropped head and
pointed beard; his brother, quiet, sensible looking
man, whose appearance would make a favorable
impression anywhere, and the sister, in whose fses
more of the family popularity seems TO show Itself
than in that of John w. Guteau the family
pronounce the name as if it spelled Gettol.
Mrs. ScOye is rather a pOrtly, middle-ag,d
woman, with a full face of a dull white, sharp
nose, small mouth, thin lips tightly pressed to-
gether, and small, keen, restless eyes black
poke bonnet serves rs a sort of background to this
face OF almost painful intensity She was evidently
bitterly reproachng her wretched brother with
something and once her voice was SO raised that h
became audible TO those about her. Then 1t Vas
said she charged him with having "periured him.
self all the way through" apparently referring to
his contradiction OF her testimony upon the axe in
and biSH flat Of pth
the defence The aSsassln's treatment Of hls rla-
tives was as it has always been, churlish and
hateful.
The defence made little nothing ont of the d1y's
witnesses. Two gentlemen who had been playm2Sea
of John W. Gulteau III bOyhood, were put on tio
stand but their testimony showed nothing exospt
that the mother of the had been generally
regarded as an invalid. Emory A. Storrs, OF ChcaGo,
who had known Guiteau as hanger-on OF the
National Committee rooms IN 1850, was examined,
but gave the defence no aid comfort He re-
fused to express any opinion as to the sanity OF -
sanity of the person. but distinctly stated that he
saw in HIM no want of capacity to distinguish De-
tween right and wrong, but only an ill-balannsd
mind.
An episode, which the best behaved spectators
found amusing was the appearance of Senator David
Davis as a witness for the defence TO testify upon
the condition of American politics for the last goar-
ter of century. His testimony was listened TO VIII
a good deal of interest, because part OF It, at least,
seemed to be directed TO a larger audience 1An
that in the courtroom The Senator's huge firm
fairly filled the witness-box. The expression or
rood-humored annoyance on his face when Hr.
Scoville-who is not the most scientific OF croSss1-
amlners-asked him, preface 20 questions on the
Conking controversy, whether he was acquaDted
with the causes leading to the War of the Rebellion
Tba
at each other when Senator Davis said that he 1as
not member of either of the great political organ
izatons and fairly laughed when he said that the
only theory which in his opinion would dsrape
the Republican party would be the disruption OF
the Democratic party. Finally, the Senator pro
tested against being asked TO give as evidence any
more opinions politics, ancient or contempofan-
eous and was dismissed, remaining while at Tho
Judges side on the bench to watch the proceedings
The expert testimony is expected to begin on
Monday surely after repeated delays 1t IS notlcsd
that the jury who appear TO be thoroughly respect
able body or men, fully equal to the average
of iures never join in the smiles or other express
ions of amusement among the audience, and did not
do so when Guiteau was making his most exquisite
sallies al them right out of the witness box Soma
of the observers have professed to be able 10 sec
primness in their faces which meant more than per-
sonal dignity. and have drawn the inference that
there WAS no hope for the prisoner This, however,
is mere surmse. Guiteau is compelled TO run the
gauntlet of danger twice day, IN coming TO and
leaving the court, which is wholly unnecessary.
He is taken into the building and out Of it, through
a basement archway under tho portlco, and
has fully a hundred feet to walk from
the van to the entrance. There is always crowd
waiting to see him come, and as soon as the court
adiourns each day fully one half the crowd In tho
courtroom hurry out and station themselves IN two
deem rows on the sidewalk, between which be
walks. guarded by half dozen policemen the
crowd being also kept back by policemen. It's true
that il would be difficult for any one to shoot HIM
without first killing policeman, but it is possible
that q Mason or Jones would not hesitate to do
this All danger would be avoided by backing tho
van over the sidewalk right against the archway'
and the life of the assassin, which Is IN one seo,
valuable to the country, would not DO III jeopardy
an instant. . ., ,-.,... - r,o-ro,,
after church. and request his attendance NJ cours
ON Monday He is expected to detall ms eH Perienee
with reward to Guteau IN Newly Ork ana W luehIly
n letter or two. Possibly he may he lnterfogated
Tesnectng the political complications OF last SUM
NOR MT. Scoyille is not disposed to compel hlsae
tendance if he declines TO come