Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1881-10-16
News From the National Capital
as Received Yesterday.

as Received Yesterday.
WASHINGTON, October 15-Among the
nominations sent to the Senate to-day was
the following: d. Newton Thompson,
for United States Attorney of the Western
District of Louisiana.
The Star route cases were again taken up,
but owing to the absence of associate coun
sci for the Government, an adjournment was
asked by the prosecuting attorney. After
some discussion a postponement for two
weeks was taken.
After the Star route cases were disposed
of, it became known in the courtroom that
the arraignment of Guiteau was actually to
take place to-day SO most of the specta-
tors remained, and very intense feeling of
curiosity and interest was manifested. There
was no unusual display of police force in or
about the courtroom, although there was
large number of detectives present, not in
uniform For over half an hour the busi-
ness was suspended, awaiting the introduc-
ton of the prisoner. At a quarter past IL
Scoville counsel for the prisoner, entered,
and immediately after the door of the wit
ness-room opened and gave entrance to Mar
shal Henry aud two deputy marshais, having
between them and husting along the bowed
and covering figure of a man, for whom
they made way to seat reserved for him
beside his counsel Then one of the guards
unlocked the handouts, giving the prisoner
use of his hands, which he continued how
ever, to hold as if that was their usual posi-
ton. Guiteau looked broken in health and
uncared for IN person. His hair is closely
cropped but his cheek and chin whiskers
are worn thick but not long. His dark
clothes were rusty and shabby, and his
whole person presented a miserably neglect
ed appearance. After the excitement at
tending his entrance had subsided. District
Attorney Corkhil rose, and addressing the
Judge, said
The grand jury of the District of Colum-
bia, has indicted Charles j. Guiteau for
the murder of James A. Garfield. The
prisoner is in the court and | ask that he be
arraigned and required to plead to the in
dctment.
The prisoner was ordered to stand up, and
in a languid manner obeyed.
Clerk.-Is your name Charles j.
Guiteau
The prisoner assented by nod.
The clerk then proceeded to read the in
dictment, the prisoner standing up with his
head most of the time inclined to the right
shoulder, his eyes half closed or wholly SO,
his hands crossed over his stomach as if they
still were handcuied, and his general air
that of sickly Indifference. The reading
occupied nearly half an hour, and during all
that time Guteau hardly changed his atti-
tude or bearing, and rarely opened his eyes
he dld not manifest the slightest degree of
interest III the scene IN which he was the
cAle1, and, but for an occasional slight
movement, might have been supposed to be
asleep in standing attitude.
Upon the conclusion of the reading of the
Indictment, the clerk addressing the prison
er, said: What say you to the Indictment
guilty or not guilty?
The prisoner, in place Of a response,
fumbled in his wa,stcoat pocket and drew
out soied and crumpled scrap of paper
District attorney, imperatively- your
plea guilty not guilty?
Prlsoner-l enter a plea of not guilty, if
your honor please, and l desire to make q
statement.
The Court-At some other time. It
would not be appropriate just now. Sit
down. The prisoner thereupon took his
seat.
District Attorney-In this case I ask that
the trial be set for next Monday morning
Peremptonly-The government is ready for
trial now.
Mr. Scoville asked to read a statement,
and proceeded to read one by the defendant
10 the effect that he has no money or
A4AOoASj Gt1d lIlitl LII tS1euSc II 10 uSCtS-
Sary for him to have witnesses from dis
tanee; also one made by himself to the
effect that he was not ready for trial, having
been IN the case only about ten days; that
the defense would be insanity of the pris-
oner, and that the wound was not neces-
S2erAy mortal and was not the cause of the
80 .estaents H death also that he has failed to
g. ule names of certain witnesses for the
F:oH0i' ana that he expects to show by
illnesses IN New York and Chicago heredi-
tary INSANITY IN the family: that L. w.
ulteau, Iather of the accused, was mono
a-aniac on the subject of religion. He also
ApeeIea to show that the death
vas me result of malpractice on the
tsHt u inc principal physician. He asked
Cao,G oaer ior witnesses, II in number.
8oo,llie sad that acting under the instruc-
Hoas Oh his client he had endeavored to get
MN suitable counsel, being himself not
iaihlllar with criminal practice, and had APP
pied TO Emory Storrs, of Chicago, who
!ad declined also to r. T. Merrick, who
feared that he could not attend. He had
written to, General Butler, but had not vet
heard from him. 1t was important that the
prisoner should be properly defended, and
he asked if General Butler should decline
that the prisoner be allowed to select coun-
Sell
The argument on the question of juris-
dlcuon was set down for the Both inst, and
the trial for November 7th.
After leaving the courtroom Guiteau was
taken up stairs, and large crowd gathered
about the east portlco The prisoner now
being drawn to the east door of the build-
ing, the crowd made a rush to that point
but at about 1880 o'clock the prisoner was
quietly walked through the basement and
Arou8h the center of the building where O
jail ~
VIM. Stephenson johnson, of Chicago,
law partner of Emory Storrs, has arrived
~ ~ the city for the purpose of taking part il
ne defense of Guiteau. While Guiteau
was oelng arraigned, a large-sized man ap.
proached some of the officers of the court
ana asked for the loan of a pistol His in
qulries W causing suspicion, he was taken to
ponce headquarters, where he gave his
name as George Fl. Bethard, and showed
~ diploma as lawyer, issued to him june
sSd, in Columbus, Ohio. He said that he