Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1881-11-25
GUITEAUS TRIAL.


than ever in his behaviour. He was very
much infatuated because Mr.. Scoville asked
the court to restrict his client within the
bounds of decorum. Judge Cox ordered him
to be quiet, and suggested that it might be
necessary to remove him from the court dur
ing the trial "If you do" shouted Guiteau
in reply, at will be illegal and court in banc
will reverse you on exception" Meantime
the bailifs were vainly trying to make him sit
down and be still. When, however, Judge
Cox finally said, with much severity, that
there were abundant preoedents for removing
the prisoner from the court during the trial,
and he should be removed il it became neces-
sary, it was noticed that Guitesu was sane
enough to appreciate the situation and stop
his noise.
Witnesses followed one another in quick
succession during the day, testifying TO the
facts of the shooting and arrest. When Off
Ger Scott came on the stand an interesting
scene occurred in the production of the assas-
sins pistol, an ugly-looking weapon. Scott
testified that Guiteau used the words 'Tm a
Stalwart, and Arthur is now President, as he
was hurried to the police headquarters after
the shooting. Mr.. Scoville gave formal no
tice that the defence would be insanity and
the burden of proof would rest with the gov
eminent.
On Saturday j. Stanley Brown, private sec
rotary TO the late president, testified to Gui-
teau's frequent calls at the White House, and
of his (witness) finally, about the 10th of
May, telling the ushers that Guiteau must no
longer trouble the office. Mr.. Brown identi-
fed large number of letters from Guiteau
to the president, which the district attorney
proceeded to read. The letters all had refer
ence to Guiteaus desire to be appointed consul
general at Paris, and the following is fair
sample of them:
March 8, 1881
General Garfield: 1 called to see you this A. NJ but
you engaged. In october and January last
sent you note from New York touching the Austrian
mission Mr. Kasson Of Iowa, understand wishes
should not wish TO disturb him In any event. What
do you think Of me for consul-general for PARISH
think prefer Paris to vienna, and, n agreeable to
you, should be satisfied with the consuship at Paris
The enclosed speech sent TO leading orators
and editors in August. Soon thereafter they opened
the rebel war-caim idea and 1t was this idea that
resulted in your election. Mr.. Walker Of New York,
the present consul at Paris, was appointed through
Mr.. Evarts, and presume he has no expectation Of
being retained. Senators Blaine, Logan aud Conk-
ling are friendly to me, and presume my appoint
ment will be promptly confirmed. There is nothing
against me. claim to be gentleman and Chris
tiAn. O.. q.
In the letter next following this there is an
indication that Guiteau has found that Mr..
Blaine is not his friend consequently he adj
vises the president to run the presidency on
his own account" and be a candidate for re-
election. He observes that Gen. Grant will
never again be so strong as when he returned
from his tour around the world, and that the
third term would kill him in the event of his
candidacy in 1884. The next letter discloses
a decided hostility to Mr.. Blaine, who had
told him 'never TO speak of the Paris consul
ship again" 1t is evident that it was not I'M
til Guiteau had given up all hope of appoint
ment that he became the enemy of the presi-
dent, and decided that his removal" from
Office by his hand was a duty which he owed
to the Republican party.
DIR. Bliss was called to the stand and gave
a narrative covering from the time he was call
ed to the presidents side (fifteen or 20 min
utes after he was shot until his death.
The sensation of the trial was produced
when the district attorney suddenly drew from
a pasteboard box upon his table section of
human backbone, and, holdingi it up, asked:
do you recognize this, doctor ?"
The witness, in measured tones, replied;
II do. 1t is portion of the vertebrB of
the late President James A. Garfield"
The vertebrD were then handed TO the jury,
and the character and extent of the injury to
them was explained by the witness After the
vertebra had been returned to the district at
torney's table, Mr.. Scoville reached over and
requested an opportunity Of examining it. 1t
was handed to him, and Guiteau, who sits i'm
mediately on his right, examined it closely as
| Mr.. Scoville turned it over and from side to
side. He did not offer to touch it, however,
and gave not the slightest indication of any
feeling other than casual curiosity. 1t was
painful and seemingly unnecessary spectacle
that of people handling the backbone of the
murdered president, and examining it with
such probes (pencils, penholders and the like)
as happened to be at hand.
At the opening of the court on Monday
morning, Mr.. Robinson arose and withdrew
from the case, criticising what he called Mr..
Scoville's lack of courtesy toward him. Gui-
teau interrupted his remarks with, "Your
Honor, want Robinson to stay in, and when
| Mr.. Robinson concluded he said: 'Thats an
able speech and l agree with the most part of
it, If he had only made it last Monday, there
never would have been any disturbance be
tween u.s." Mr.. Scoville tried to silence Gui-
teau, when he retorted upon him: keep
| quiet yourself; I'm talking now. l sympa-
thize with him in this matter" Judge Cox
discharged Robinson from further connection
with the case. The district attorney then
called Drs. Woodward and Lamb, who testi-
fed that the wound was a mortal one
The prosecution then rested their case, and
Guiteau was given permission to be heard in
the opening of his defence. Guiteau, retain
| lnB lib oSdt D0Bhu AOuE A1OhOAs was nOl
aware that was expected to speak this morn
ing" Mr. Scoville here leaned over and whis-
pered to him, when Guiteau retorted sharply
81 won't stand up. I'm not afraid to, however, but
have ouly moment to speak, and will keep my seat
do not care to say more than was published last Mon
day in my address to the public presume the jury
all it. have set speech to make. appear Al
| my own counsel and nay idea is to make corrections
go along, just as have done the past three Of
| four days. don't mean any discourtesy to any one
only want to get at the facts II any one says ow,
them $40 and don't, will deny it on the spot Ny
idea is TO take things when they hot; not let then
get cold and suffer from misrepresentation OF
shall go the stand at the proper time, and be
amined aud cross-eIamined. Ny idea, however is L
meet missatement when it is hot instead Of waiting
to let the matter get digested and misunderstood
think the true way to nterect my as thu
case proceeds. have set speech TO make, but an
much obliged to your honor and to my counsel fol
the courtesy OF this invitation"
Mr. Scoville then began his opening speech
for the defence, which was not concluded a.
the hour of adjournment for the day. Mr.
Scoville occupied the whole of Tuesday, SEES
sion with his argument, and did not conclude
until Wednesday. His statement of the cas'
was very adroitly drawn to show how GuiteaV
came from family in which there have beer
many cases of insanity, and to illustrate Gui
teau's own mental peculiarities and eocentri'
doings. The prisoner INDUCED in his usna
violent outbursts at intervals, or wheneve
Mr.. Scoville said anything of which he die
not approve ScOvile's management of tn,
case is conceded to be admirable, and it ever,
day grows apparent that his earnest speed
and evident sincere conviction in the correct
ness of his defence are telling on the jury.
! On Wednesday, after the conclusion of Mr.
Soovilles opening argument, the examination
of witnesses, with view to prove Guiteau'
insanity, began.
Guiteau Fired AZ.
A Guiteau WAS being carried from In