New-York tribune., 1881-12-28

Before the Guiteau family-thc brother, sister
and brothcr-in-law of the murdefrr-pushed
themselves into prominence as part OF the
show of which their brother is the chief attrac-
ton. they had very large degree OF public
sympathy. No one blamed either one OF them
for the relation existing between them and the
assassin, but everybody expressed sympathy for
them AS innocent persons who had been drawn
by the crime into what might be al unpleasant
notorictv, and who might, if they were at all
sensitive, consider that the assassin hau
brought their name into disgrace. Mr.. SEQ
willie particularly as an object OF sympathy on
account of his peculiar relation to the east as a
counsel without hope of fee dischaIgng dis
agreeable duty which no one else could lie
fonnd TO undertake. But the conduct OF all
these persons since the trial began has been
such ~ to induce the belief III the public mind
that they do not consider the crime OF their
brother any disgrace, aud that lnstcad Oi shrink
ing from, they rather court and ENJOY the noto-
ricty which the trial gives them. Evidence of
this Is found III the strange Interruptions OF the
trial by Mrs ScOyillc and john w. Guitcau,
who insisted upon putting questions to wit
nesses on the stand, and in the remarkable ac-
LlOI bl WI. stDN lllt IL WI lhH % IH'''' w
ture with an admission fee charged on a case in
progress of trial in which hc is counsel. There
is no sense of disgrace or shrinking from notO-
riety in all this. The whole family conduct
themselves as if conscious that they were on
show and not by any means bashiul about IT,.
The same wrctchcd egotism that set the chief
figure III the group on murder is exhibited, only
in IA less degree, in the brother and sister, and
Mr.. Scoviile has not escaped the infection.
The whole group seems pcryadcd with the
idea that the crime of Charles, instead of being
infamous has made the family famous. The
scoundrel at the bar receives their open admira-
ton when he br0wbcats the counsel, black
guards witnesses, dictates to the Court, or
makes blasphemous speeches to the spectators.
The theory of the defence Is that the cowardly
assassin either was or believed himself to be in
spircd to 10 the murder. And the Guitcau
family, sitting there in Court day after day,
seem to think that they occupy the thought of
the American people to the exclusion Of every
thing and every body else that people have
forgotten how the President of the United
States tell before this mans pistol, forgotten
the long weeks Of Garlicld's agony and pain,
, the Nations weary suspense, the world wide
, sorrow, the DCTcaVed idnlly ana tnc dcs sOlatcu
home. To the GuiteIu family, admiring their
brothers smartness laughing at his lively
sallies, or posing. fer public sympathy on ac-
count of the persecution of their irrcspon-
sible" relative, these things are apparently of
small account. TO save this worthless crca-
| ture's life is all their care; to enjoy the bad
eminencc his crime has given them seems 10 be
all their present comfort. Does this seem harsh
criticism Their conduct has invited it. For
they have not shown merely fraternal interest
in the defence Of brother misguided and dis
gTaced 1t is rather insonsibIlity to the magni-
tudc of his crime and the nfamy of his char
acter; insensibiity to everything except the
danger OF punishment.
And if some of the reported interviews are
true, the utter lack of anything like IA sense of
gratitude, mch is so conspicuous a feature in
the prisoners character, must be "a family trait.
For instead of expressing appreciation of the
kindness shown them by the Government in
summ0ning and paying their witnesses, they
are reported to be complaining because more
favors are not shown them; complaining of llc
comments of the press on the case complain
ing because the counsel for the prosecution and
the Government witnesses do not quietly sub
nit to the prisoners outrageous insults and
abuse. And all this time, as everybody knows
the murderer has had less restrictions ON him.