Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1881-12-15
The Assassin's Trial.
CLOSE OF THE DEFENSE.

CLOSE OF THE DEFENSE.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 6-Upon the open.
ing of court this morning Guiteau an.
nounced that he had prepared an order
for the attendance of witnesses. He
suggested Saturday, and would desire
the court to sign it at once. The order
WAS handed to j udge Cox. O.
Mr.. ScOville called Geo. Gorham, edi-
tor of the Republican, but he did not re-
spond until after Congressman B. Far
well testified as to his belief of the pris-
oner's responsibility. When GOrham
took the stand discussion ensued be-
tween counsel upon the form of ques-
tions in which Guiteau insisted upon ia
king part. Turning to Scoville he said,
You are getting little cracked your
self on this subject. | wouldn't have
your line of defense. 1t is altogether
too narrow"
Gorham was asked to step down, when
Geiteau shouted out Come back, Mr..
Gorham. want to ask you few ques-
tions. l want you to state whether you
did not write and publish in last April,
May and June a great many bitter arti-
L
wrecking the Republican party?'
GOrham-I decline to ans wer that
question unless ordered by the Court.
The files of the Republican speak for
themselves.
Judge COx-You canproduce the files,
Mr. Prisoner, but you cannot compel the
witness to state what those files contain.
Guiteau-Very well, Mr.aGorham, L
shall have you on the stand later with
your files. propose to show how your
paper denounced the President for dis
rupting the Republican party. 1J Go.
Guiteau then, at Scoyille's suggestion,
read a chapter from his book truth"
which set forth the trials and teachings
of st. Paul. celebrating and explaining
as he read. That's my case exactly"
said Guiteau "that's just the way 1 tried
to preach the Gospel"
Shortly afterward the prisoner became
involved in angry discussion with SEQ
vile, in the course Of which he became
very violent and denounced him as no
politician and no lawyer. "YOu insinu-
ated yourself upon the defense just be-
cause you happened to, be my brother
in-law," said Guiteau. at E-.f-l .,s.. 4
Court when Guiteau shouted imperious-
ly: "Now you just keep quiet, Mr. Judge
Porter. You are altogether too talka-
tive this morning" I rif-
Scoville stated he desired 10 have Pres
ident Arthur testify in the case. Ic
Guiteau Gnterrupting) y es ;and Grant
and COnkling and the rest of my political
friends. Scoville here takes altogether
too narrow view in this case. '.-1l
ScOville continuing, said he had made
every effort to secure the Presidents at
tendance but without success. 1t was
absolutely essential to obtain his testi-
mony. 1854
After some discussion, the counsel for
the prosecution agreed to allow Scoville
to prepare interrogatOries to be submit
ted to the President, and to allow his
evidence in this form to be put in later.
Scoville stated that with this excsp-
tion the defense had concluded.
Guiteau (excitedly)-I want that or
der signed, Judge.
JuGge Cox-I fail to see the necessity
for summoning the witnesses you have
named, and shall therefore refuse the
order, Mr.. Prisoner.
Reporter, put that down.
Scoville then produced Guiteau's book
"Truth," which has been put in evidence,
but not yet read to the jury.
Guitea0rScOville, you read like a
schoolboy. You don't put any spirit in
to it. Let me read.
Guiteau then begun reading. He
apologized to the audience by way of a
preface by saying: Ladies and gentle
men-I have not had any practice for so
long that my voice may be little husky.
l will, however, do the best l can.
hope you will give your attention. You
will find some very interesting reading.
Confusion ensued in the rear of the
court room which greatly annoyed Gui-
teau, and he appealed pstulently to Judge
Cox, saying, 81 must have order in this
room or l cannot be heard" Then turn
ing partly round to the audience: "If
any one wants to go out, let them go,but
you must keep order, ladies and gentle
men," .-.,.a.
Thirty minutes were occupied in the
reading, when the hour Of recess arriv-
ed. Counsel for the prosecution object
| ed to the reading of the entire book, and
| after some discussion it was arranged
that Scoyille should mark such passages
as he intends to rely upon or touch upon
in his argument, and submit the book ia
the prosecution tomorrow. With this
understanding and argument between
counsel relative to the evidence of Pres
ident Arthur, Scoville announced the
close of the defense.
At the request of Col. CeTkhill the
Court adjourned till tomorrow, when