Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-11-26
Guiteau Makes a Speech.
Objects to His Divorced Wife Ap.
pearing as a Witness.
Testimony Continued.
wAsBrxGrox. Nov. %.

in conspieuou. use and the hum of feminine
voices was fast becoming deafening, when
Marshal Henry raped for order and an
nounced that all demonstrations of a noisy
character must be repressed, or the court
room would be cleared. This admonition
was repeated by Judge Cox Immediately upon
the opening Of the court. Mr.. Scoville
stated that Guiteau desired 10 make a brief
statement.
No objection being ide,. Cuiteau read
from a Manuscript as follows:
Il propose TO have all the facts bearing on
this case TO 90 to the court and jury, and to
do this have been forced to interrupt sew
eral witnesses who were mistaken as 10 sup
posed facts. | meant no discourtesy to them
or any one Any fact in nv case bearing on
the question as to who fred that shot, the
Deity or myself, is Of vital Importance in
this case, and / propose that it go to the jury.
Hence my personal, political and theological
record may be developed. | am glad that
your honor and the opposing counsel are dis
posed to give historical review OF my life,
and ask the press and public to do like
wise. All want is absolute justice. and
shall not permit any crooked work. l have
no idea that my counsel wants crooked works.
They are often mistaken on supposed facts
aud shall have to connect them. Last spring
certain newspapers in New York and Wash
ington, were bitterly denouncing the Presi-
dent for breaking up the republican party. by
improper appointments. ] would like the
newspapers to reprint those editorials now,
and see how they would look and sound. In
attempting to remove the President, only
did what the papers said ought to be done.
Since July ID, they have been deifying the
President and denouncing me, for doing the
81. tba, fn no /
want the newspapers and doctors who actually
killed the President to share with me the
odium of his death. Inever would have shot
him of my own vioition, notwithstanding
those newspapers, if | had not been COM
missioned by the Deity to do the deed, but
this fact does not relieve the newspapers
from supposed disgrace Of the Presidents
removal. If he had been properly treated he
would have been alive today. 1t has been
published that | am in fear of death. but it
is false. | have always been a religious man
and an active worker of God. Some people
think that am murderer, but the Lord
does not, for he inspired the act. as in the
ease of Abraham and score of other cases
in the Bible.
The assault made upon me Saturday last
by a crank has been condemned by the press.
The eyes of the civilized world are watching
this case, aud it behooves this court and the
police to protect me at all haZ-
ards. hereby warn all cranks OF high or
low degree to keep away from me under the
penalty of an instant death. He would have
beer shot dead Saturday but tor the rearing
of the horses in the van. As the officer was
shooting the horses shook the van so that he
lost his aim, and though the van pursued
him. he temporarily escaped. | waste my
arguments on cranks. All they can see in
this case is the policeman's revolver. Again
| say, if they value their lives they must
keep away from me. | desire the Court and
the juries to dispose of this case on the facts
and law, and leave all the responsibility
about it to the verdict.
Scoville then referred to his previous de-
mand for certain printed newspaper slips
" hich were taken from Guiteau at the time
of his arrest. A colloquy occurred between
the counsel in which considerable feeling
was shown upon both sides. Scoville pro-
tested against the course of the District At
torney in the matter. The latter contempt
uously retorted from his seat, "Oh stuff.
stuff, all stuff" The CONTROVERSY was final
ly settled and Scoville called John A. Logan
for the defence.
The witness did not respond. however
Gniteau, who seemed greatly excited, here
broke in again and shouted, so as to be dis
tinctly heard in every part of the room,
There is another matter that | want to speak
about right now. | understand my divorced
wife is to brought here as a witness against
me. Ii this is SO, there will be trouble. She
was poor unfortunate thing and | never
should have married her, but if she comes
here to testify against me and do me any
harm, III rip up her whole record. She was
seduced in Philadelphia and had child be-
fore married her." With great difficulty
Scoville, after some minutes of expostulation,
succeeded in quieting Julius, who for the
next fifteen minutes devoted himself to his
newspapers.
Two other witnesses were called, but
failed to respond. Joseph Bismeth OF Free
port, ILL.,, then testified as to his acquaint-
ance with the Guteau family
T.. q. Foss of Dover, n. H.. was at the
depot when Garfield was shot His evil
dence referred mainly to Guteau's appear
ance.
There were several sharp passages between
Scoville and the counsel for the prosecution
during the questioning of the witness.
Charles II. Reed OF Chicago, detailed sew
eral incidents in Guiteau's career as a law
yer at Chicago. Witness was prosecuting
attorney for twelve years and met Guiteau
frequently, OUT us relations Win MIN were
never intimate. He had loaned him
money. which is still due. He always
regarded him as very earnest, sincere man,
but unbalanced. He never saw any indi-
cation of violence, but always deemed him a
harmless man until recently.
Guiteau looked gauk and friendless showed
quick. restless movement of the eyes and q
reluctance about looking any one in the face.
Frequent references were made during these
conversations, to the Office Guiteau was ex-
pecting to have. Witness told Guiteau he
had no show for the Paris consulship, and he
would help him TO get clerkship. or some
minor position where there was little respon-
sibility attaching. But Guiteau became very
indignant and said, '.You watch the papers
for the next three or four days and you will
see the announcement of my appointment to
the Paris consulship." Witness visited Quit
eau few days since in Jail, and asked him
why he killed President Garfield. The p-is-
oner was lying down on his couch. He arose
excitedly and began a rambling sort of speech
saying, II didn't do it, the Lord did il. was
only the Lords instrument in removing the
President" At vtimes the prisoner would
show great excitement, striking his fists
against the wall with considerable violence,
then he would relapse into perfectly quiet
state, speaking almost in q whisper. Witness
received the impression that Guiteau was of
unsound mind. Being pressed for more
direct answer he replied, II had not doubt