New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-12-30
PROVING THAT INSPIRATIONS" ARE NOT
PREMEDITATED.

lBY TELEGRAPH To THE rRIBUNR.l
WASHINGTON, Dec 29.-Guiteau's behavior, both
to-day and yesterday after the order TO put him In
the dock was made raises the interesting question
whether if measures had been taken at the outset
to protect the dignity Of the Court his sanity might
not have been demonstrated even more clearly than
it is now, and the country spared at the same time
National scandal and the worldwide dissemination
of the idea that thc average American court is .
menagerle with the animals all bowling. One OF
the experts said, yesterday, that GuiteaTs
fright at the idea Of being put in
the dock would alone have shattered
into thousand pieces the theory of his being under
the delusion of Divine inspiration. His threats to
behave worse in the dock than he had done before
were in the same line.
To-day the policy Of even a little intimidation
gave further presumptive proof of his sanity. At
the very opening of the Court he began his abusive
and noisy speeches, and continued them almost uH-
interrupiedly for nearly half an hour making 1t
tnaly difficult for the counsel to be heard. Judge
Cox said nothing. Finally Colonel COrkhiN
arose, and quietly remarked that if these inter-
ruptions were continued he should ask TO have tho
dock placed in another part of the house. Guiteau
evidently interpreted this as threat that be might
be put nearer to the crowd. II sllenced him in
stantly; and for half an hour by the clock he did
pot open his mouth. Then it was only TO make .
brief nterection two. and for the greater part OF
the morning session lie was very quiet. These i'm
pressions seem TO pass of from him easily, as his
buoyant egotIsm and confidence reassert Themselves
But the temporary effect is remarkable. The spec
tacle of an alleged maniac who claims
TO have perfect confidence that God will protect
him. being, nevertheless, in visible physical terror
lest man may come near him, would seem to be
nfnfoo oopiftr in
fortnight of licensed basphemy
The question of jurisdiction viii be raised, it is
stated. by the defence in submitting to the Court
proposed charges to the jury. If Judge Cox declines
10 eharge that his Court has jurisdiction, ss
he will do, of course the defence will be able
TO appeal on that ground. But no one believes
that either the full bench of the District Court
or the Supreme Court will sustain the claim.
Even if one of them should do
counsel for the prosecution say that there would be
no legal objection to Il second trial in New-Jerey,
nsomnch as it could not be pleaded that the prison
er's life had been already in jeopardy under a
vction by Court without jurisdiction.
Some persons visiting Guiteau have endeayored
to draw his attention to the possibility of his con-
viction. The belief that the jury have already
agreed seems to be wellnigh universal, whereas
three weeks ago many believed it was then divided
But lfulteau TcptlS III SUCH
by persons who think the prosecution will
demand a speedy execution of the sentence
of the law. He scouts the idea that he can be
victed, and positively refuses to discuss it, even
with those whom he is accustomed to often and
who have done much for him. HIS exhaustlcss ego
tism seems TO dominate HIM even in this.
The counsel on both sides are preparing their
speeches Mr. Scovlle is likely to occupy two days,
and Mr. Reed, his associate, about two hours. Mr.
Davdge will make the long speech of the pTOsecu-
ton. but viii hardly occupy more than
n day. Judge Porter will close in a speech
of about two hours which, considering tbs subject,
and the thousand and chances 1t offers for ord
torical effects, is likely to be notable add ress
Colonel CoFkhill, who opened the case, Will not
speak unless it become necessary TO say something
uron the question of jurisdiction.
The first sensation Of the morning Mr.. SEQ
ville's reading of letter written by Guiteau the
other day to Senator Don Cameron, claiming fellow
shp with him as Stalwart of the Stalwarts." and
begging, in the traditional Guiteau manner loan
of 5000. Assoon as Guiteau found ont what
going on he began from his place on the other
side of the room to launch out voley after volley
of abuse at Mr.. ScOville and his brother, to whom
he had entrusted the letter for delivery. There
no great freshness in the epithets but they served
10 illustrate the infinite variety Of this mans iB-
gratitude.
DIR. Calendar was called again to the stand ex-
pressy 10 pass an opinion upon the sanity of this
letter. which, naturally enough struck him only az
being entirely characteristic of Guitean.
DR.. Walter Kempster, of Wisconsin, third of tho
bad FOUR alluded to by the sprightly and irrev-
elant Spitzka was then placed upon the stand. DR..
Kempster is man of n little over forty. whose
cleans -shaven face makes him look younger than he
,Ia tvaf haQrlnU
has made speciality of phrenology and
Of most mortem examination of the brains Of
the insane. His testimony thus bore directly upon
a point which the defence has made much oi-the
shape of Guiteau's head and the assumed effect
unou the brain His testimony was given with
great clearness and readiness, and was listened 10
with eager interest by the jury. He stated posi-
lively that the shape of the head presents no dis
tnguishing mark of insanity unless the deyatlons
gross Ii was almost impossible to find perfectly
shaped head. He repeated Dr. calendars remark
of Yesterday when handed the cast OF GuiteaPs
head, that it was even better shaped than he had
snpposed and explained what he believed to be tho
origin of its irregularities DIR. kempster then ek-
hibited to the jury number OF card cuttings SHOW
ing the shapes of the heads of various citizens whose
names he gave when called upon by tho Court
to do so. Among them were Ex-Governor Claiiin, OK
Massachusetts,, ROBERT u lhgeFsoh, NoiVhei SoiA-
hill and Treasurer Gilfllan. Seine of the
sl,pes were extraordinary. One looked like Q
cross section of gourd Another bulged on one side
and was fiat on the other. This was the hat meas
uIement of Colonel Ingersoll. Dr. Kempster created
considerable amusement by pointing out that Col
onel Corkhilps head was in some respects like
Guiteaus The head of the assassin was seen
TO I've better shaped than many OF These.
One important statement was made bearing upon
the theory that Guiteau had congenital defect
owing 20 the illness of his mother before his blrtn'
These births more frequently prodnee idionc chill