Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-12-06
BY TELEGRAPH.
Asseciatsd Press Telegrams to the Daily
Kennebec Journal
TRIAL or ouIIEAU.
Expert Testimony Begun.
Dr.. Kennon of Chicago Thinks
Guiteau is Insane.
WASHINGTON. Dec. ).

The opening OF the GuIteau trlai was ue-
layed until i o'clock today. as Judge Cox
was engaged in organizing the December
term vf the criminal court. The court room
was completely filled with spectators as early
a. Q 80 Among the new corners was ex-
Speaker Randall, who appeared in answer to
subpoena He was quite as much at loss TO
know VII, he had beeR called or what he was
expected to testify as Senator Davis, on Sat
urday. The defence also subpenaed Presi-
dent Arthur. but will not summon him to ap-
pear until after Scoville has seen him and
gained his assent. Scoyille has an appoint
mept TO call upon him at 4 o'clock this after
noon.
Guiteau has stated that he had frequent in
terviews with President Arthur during the
late canvass, and it is known that he has
written several letters to the President. which
the latter still holds in his possession. The
defence wish to obtain possession OF these
letters and have them go before the jury
Gui,eau was little late in arriving at the
court house this forenoon. An immense
crowd lined the sidewalks and upon alisht-
ing from the van the assassin evinced unusu-
al trepidation and begged the officers to take
him around to the back entrance. He was
assured that the escort was ample for his
safety, and with trembling steps and cringing
gait the prisoner quickly shuffled through the
angry crowd. AFFECT fear was depicted on
his sallow countenance and it was several
minutes after he reached his room in the
building before he regained his usual COM
posture.
Immediately after the opening OF the court
Scoyille called to the stand Dr. James Ken
non of Chicago. Before any questions could
be asked the witness, Guiteau desired to ad-
dress the court, and without waiting for the
assent or dissent of the court said in quite
nervous tones: II want those expert wit
nesses to pass upon this point; When man
is impelled to do an unlawful act by power
which he can't possibly control. or override,
and by which his moral agency Is domino
ted, is he to be considered sane or insane.
Judge?''
The witness stated that he was managing
editor of the Chicago Medical Review, and
lecturer on mental diseases at the Chicago
Medical school, He delivered his first lecture
last April. The witness replied to hypo-
thetical question predicted upon the trust
worthness of the evidence to which he lis
tened, that he had had no doubt of the pris-
Oner's insanity.
Upon the crOss-examination he was closely
examined as to his opinion of the other mem
bers of the Guiteau family who were alleged
to have been insane. Some discussion ensued
between the counsel as to the character of
this evidence. Davidge urged that the evil
dence had not showed the prisoners father to
be insane, but on the contrary that his own
son, John w. Guiteau, has sworn positively
TO the contrary.
Guiteau said: "We will show BY all free
report that he was insane"
Davidge-''Never mind, we will take care
of that
Guiteau-"Everybody knows that my
father was badly cracked; he was a good
man but badly cracked on religion.
The witness believed in moral insanity, in
certain rare cases, although no diminished
mental power could be detected, and no i'm
pairment of judgment, still there might be
moral insanity rendering a man irresponsible.
The cross-examination continued at con-
siderable length. Guiteau breaking in at
times With EXPLANATIONS and remarks.
After the recess. Col. Richard J. Hinton
of Washington, an editor of the Gazette,
WAS called by Scoville. He identified Cult
eau as person he had seen around the re-
pubicans headquarters in New York, making
himself at home in the committees room.
Would not pronounce upon Guiteau's alleged
insanity, but thought him an i'll arranged
cranky object. He thought Guiteau's politi-
cal speech Garfield and Hancock" wretch
ed compound of trash.
This reused Guiteau, who declared that he
was not fool and that he would rather be
hung as man than acquitted a. a fool. He
called Col. Hinton crank, and berated
Scoville.
Charles H. Nichols of the Bloomingdale
Asylum, replied to a hypothetical question
proposed by Scoville: IF the evidence to
which l have testified, is correct, should
say the prisoner is insane"
Mr.. Folsom Of Boston. thought the same
DIR. Samuel Worcester, of Salem, declined
to express an opinion until the counsel ex
planned more definitely what he meant by the
term ''inspirstion."
Guteau impatiently retorted and the wit
ness was finally told to stand aside.
DIR. VIM. W. Godding Of the government
asylum for the insane, at Washington
thought that if the facts in the hypothetical
question were true the prisoner was undoubt
edly insane.
DIR. James II. Mcbride, of Milwaukee
Wis, and DIR. Charming, of BrooklIne
Mass, also thought the came.
DIR. Theodore w. Fisher, of Boston. would
dislike to be confined to the Hypothetical
question but if compelled to answer woulC
say that he should judge that the prisoner
Was insane.
The witness was informed by the prosecu
zion that they should want him as a witness
Mr.. Scoville announced that he had ne
more witnesses present and would Introduce
but two or three more before closing tn,
case.
Guiteau interrupted and demanded tina
subpGnoes be issued for Gen. Grant, Sena
tor Conkling. Gov. Jewell and the others h,
had mentioned on Saturday. Finding tina
no objection Was made to his interruption
Guiteau proceeded to make an incoheren
harangue. He was finally silenced by Judg
Cox. and Mr., Scoville read from Guiteau'
book. Truth" until the hour Of adjourn
ment