The Portland daily press., 1881-10-18
P. o. Box is


GEO. ScoyrLLE.
P. 0. Box Is.
BOSTON, Mass, Oct 1t, 1881.
Dear Sir,--I have the honor to acknowledge
the receipt OF your letter OF the 10Th instant,
which did not come to my hands until aiter l
had made answer to a newspaper correspon-
dent about the case of Guiteau, containing Inc
following strong appeal on your part: II APP
neal to YOU for the sake OF justice, and to save
The American people the disgrace of historic
record that sane citizen Of the republic would
assassinate the President, to accept the defence
of Guiteau. Will you not act II assigned as
counsel by the court?"
| have waited before 1 answered your letter
to see what time would be assigned for the
trial by the court, so as to ascertain II my pro-
fessional engagements would permit me even 10
entertain your request. see by the papers,
which / suppose are correct, that the trlai IL
peremptoriiy set for November Z, pFoximo. :.
II the trial was set for a time when couid
possibly devote myself to this case should
very carefully weigh your application before
refused it. / hold it to be part OF the chlvai-
nv of my profession that no lawyer within the
circuit where he practices ought without good
cause, to refuse to stand for man whose life
is in danger before court of justice, whether
his personal belief might be that the accused
was innocent or guilty; and, of course, the
amount of compensation In the case ought mol
to become a makeweight in the question.
The admirable example set by Otis, one OF
the "Sons of Liberty" in face OF popular
prejudice, defending the Kings ofncers ior
shooting down the citizens OF Boston, IN hlpg
(now State street,, has been the rule OF my pro.
iessional life, and ought 10 Do the guioo Vi
every lawyer.
The considerations which move me in de-
clining this 8trial are that it OF necessity
would be prolonged one; that every hour
from now to the day OF trial should be given
by counsel to the preparation OF the questions
- g. orAa hat
not be a snare to the accused instead OF de-
feLce. My professional engagements, which
make my time and services for the next ninety
days. at least, the property OF my clients VINO
have placed their interests in my hands, causes
my duty as a lawyer TO be, first OF all, to serve
them. During most of that time / shall be
actually in court, if life and health are spared,
This view of my duty as lawyer and advo-
cate prohibits my yielding to your application
and giving you a favorable reply.
Trusting that you will appreciate as fully as
they weigh upon me the necessities which Tor
bid my different answer to your note,
am, very truly yours,
BENZ. f. BUTLER.
Geo. Scoville. Esq, P. o. Box 16,
Washington. d. G.
Drs. Hammond and Sims Esfuse TO Ies-
New YORK, Oct. 15.-Dr. w: A. hammond,
on being asked today in regard to his being
witness in behalf of Guiteau, said that he had
neither been summoned nor requested 10 Ise-
tify in the case He had believed that the
man committed the murder and should meet
with his just deserts He would not testify in
any way beyond saying that had it not been for
Guiteau's shot the late President would Do
living today. AS to the treatm emit the Presi-
dent received at the hands of DR.. Bliss and
others he had nothing to say now beyond that
in his Judgment the ball should have been re-
moved at the earliest possible moment.
DIR. j. Marion Sims said he would gladly
testify, but that his testimony would help hang
the prisoner. As soon as the bullet struck the
Presidents spine the case was hopeless, and
all that science ond devoted attention could dc
was accomplished. He continued: II believe
he is insane, and gives evidence of his insanity
in requesting my attendance at bis trial. But
the question of his insanity as being one OF his
defence, L must leave TO the men who are sP &C.
ialists upon neurology. There was no physi'
clan in the country who could have saved Gen.
Garfield's life, and ScoviIle has taken very
false step if he really intends to summon ex-
perts to his i'd !"