davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1881-11-18
Personal and Political.

Attorney General MacVeagh took
formal leave of the department of JUS
tice on Monday. He ought to have
left behind him an explanation of the
fizzle in the star route matter.
The new British minister at Wash
ington presented his credentials to
President Arthur on Monday, and the
usual congratulations were exchanged.
Rev. o. b. rockingham, the noted
free thinker, of New York, has grown
tired of preaching against Christianity,
and will wait for more light before re-
Stunning his pulpit. He is not satisfied
with his own views.
The Japanese Minister at Washing
ton has had another American-b born
son added TO his family. Three of his
four children were born in that city.
The Rochester IN. " Democrat re-
jOices in the fact that in the late cleo
ton "the slaughter of such members of
the Legislature as were participants in
the senatorial struggle is terrific"
Queen Victoria completed on October
25 a reign of forty four years and l2s
days, which is just the length of time
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1881-11-18
Guiteau on Trial.

The trial of Guiteau, the assassin, is
now i'll progress, and will be of great
interest to the people of this nation
who, by his devilish crime, were rob
bed of man in whom they had
learned to trust, and from whom they
expected much. 1t is expected that
the trial will last through several days,
and of course the main line of defence
will be insanity. Guiteau himself had
prepared a lengthy speech to read in
court at the beginning of the trial, but
was not allowed to present it. What
purported to be his speech was, how
ever, published in Mondays papers,
and as an idiotic, irreverent statement,
it beats anything we have ever heard
Of He clings to his formerly express
ed idea that he was inspired by Deity
to ''remOve" President Garfield, and
that he and the Lord are responsible
for the deed. He asks for justice, begs
the prosecution to go slow lest they
offend the Deity who inspired him
with more bosh of the same sort. The
speech is simply disgusting, and was
evidently written for the double pur-
pose of airing the assassin's opinions
in public and inducing a belief in his
insanity. In court, too, he is acting
very strangely, and will prove hard
customer to manage. He will miss no
opportunity of furthering the plea of
insanity, upon which his only hope for
life hangs.
1t is too early yet to predict what
the result of the trial will be. 1t is
not easy to conceive of a jury the
members of which have not formed an
opinion regarding Guiteau but as
Judge Cox rules that a juror who
knows nothing about public case is
not the best juror to have, this diff
Guilty of impaneling jury will be less
ened. We have no faith that Guiteau's
own performances will have any great
weight with the jury and people gen
orally, unless it be to evidence the
fact that he is quitting on" for the Oc
casion. Let him have fair trial, GER
tainly but make it as short as posi-
BILE ; and if the jury's verdict on the
evidence is i'll accord with the popular
verdict formed July ID, all will be well.
1t is now maintained on good authority
that Guiteau must either hang or be
incarcerated for life. The former dis
cipline, for men of his ilk, is the most
reliable.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1881-11-18
Victory on the Wrong Side.

The star route thieves, Brady and
his gang, have achieved at least tenn
porary victory in the fact that Judge
Cox has ordered their discharge from
custody under the information process,
which was adopted against them by
the government officers. This decision
leaves them entirely free until the
grand jury assemblies again. There is
something very mysterious about the
way in which this matter has been
managed. When Postmaster General
James took his position in the Cabinet,
one of his first exploits was the I'M
earthing of these frauds whereby Bra
dy and his associates were enriching
themselves and the government was
losing proportionately Immediately it
was supposed that these guilty persons
would be brought promptly to punish
ment, and government officials boosted
of having "A strong case against them.
But suddenly the grand jury adjourn
ed before any action could be taken in
regard to the star route cases. This
called out a good deal of unfavOrable
criticism, and the opinion prevailed in
many quarters that this adjournment
was simply a trick to allow the Brady
men to escape justice. While these
opinions were current, Indictment by
information was resorted to by the
government officers, and the star route
ring were taken by surprise. Brady
made his boast, however, that he would
get out of it, and it seems he has sue
ceeded. Very naturally, he and his
friends are very much elated ut the
turn of affairs, and make their brags
that they never will be tried before
petit jury. But the government Off
cials, while not satisfied by the decision
which takes the star route rascals out
the latter will prove to be only short
lived. They say that these cases will
be taken up in due form when the
grand jury assemblies again, and that
additional proof of guilt has been Sc
cured which will operate against the
star route fellows.
1t would naturally be supposed that
MacVeagh, rs the governments attor-
ney general, would have kept close
watch of these cases and done what he
could to see that they were in a fair
way to be carried to successful issue,
whether he remained in the Cabinet or
not. At first he was very Jealous in
the matter, and was warmly applauded
therefor; but latterly he seems to have
paid very little attention to the subject,
and made no effort to assist the district
attorney in his movements relative to
this case. an explanation from him is
in order. These frauds which one en-
ergetic Cabinet officer has unearthed
should not be allowed 10 go unpun-
ished through the Indifference or neg
lieence of another. 1t is TO be hoped
that the statement of the governments
counsel in regard to what is in store for
The star route crowd will be verified
when the grand jury is ready for work
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1881-11-18

captured by some fishermen. 1t is 3S
feet in length from its tail to the term
nation of the long tentacles.
The Sunday-school congress of the
NJ. E. church was opened at Boston on
Sunday.
The Mikado of Japan has announced
the establishment of a constitution
with representative government to
come into force in 1890.
A singular cattle disease is prevalent
at ContoocOok, n. H., and many farm
ers have lost a number of cattle. Pink
eye is also prevalent among the horses.
Another railway war is said to be
imminent.
An Omaha dispatch says that owing
to the storm of snow and heavy drifts,
overland trains from the west had to
be abandoned Friday.
The cholera is raging terribly at
Mecca. There were nearly 500 deaths
in three days.
One hundred and fifty eight failures
last week in the United States and
Canada are reported, the largest num-
Der for any one week this year.
The town of Woodstock, New Bruins
wick, was nearly destroyed by fire re-
cently.-Six of the summer hotels AT
Old Orchard Beach have been burned
loss S72 900.
Eight persons were drowned by the
swapping of IA small ferry-boat neal
Troy, n. Y, on the 18th inst.
Boston has bad water to drink, and
is considering the question how it can
be improved.
Secretary Blaine has resigned his
craftsmanship of the Maine Republican
committee.
The elevator in the Belvidere Hotel,
New York, broke the other evening
when at the fifth story and fell to the
basement, seriously injuring six per
sons who were in the car.
A severe shock of earthquake was
felt Tuesday at San Jose, Cal.
One hundred and sixty prosecuted
Jews from Russia arrived at New
York on Tuesday.
The charges against members of the
Ninth Massachusetts Regiment while
i'll Richmond have been sustained, and
Gov. Long gives the Colonel thirty
days in which to report the names OF
the men who disgraced their uniforms.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1881-11-18
The November Elections.

There is nothing in the result of the
recent elections over which Repubh-
cans need to mourn on the contrary,
there is much to encourage them. In
New York they were successful with
majority of about eleven thousand in
the election of the state ticket, with
the exception of treasurer) but lose the
legislature, which, however, is very
close. In the city of Brooklyn, which
has always been, like New York city,
the stronghold of Democracy and lille
gal voting, the Republican candidate
for mayor has been elected by good
majority. Virginia, which has always
been prominent as "A Bourbon Demo-
cratic state, has been snatched from
Bourbon control by the combined eff
forts of Readjusters and Republicans.
And in the other states holding cleo
tiOns this month, although the vote
was not as heavy as usual, handsome
Republican majOrities are reported
save, of course, i'll Maryland and Mis-
sissippi, where the Democrats were
victorious; though in Maryland there
were large Republican gains and sew
eral Republican judges were elected.
The result in New York state and
the Bourbon disaster in Virginia are
significant. They indicate that the
Independent voters-thOse who look
not merely to the man, but as well to
principles on the increase and will
make themselves felt in coming cleo
tions. An aggressive movement has
been inaugurated against BOubOnism
at the South, and if it is continued it
bids fair to break up that sOlidity
which has prevented the South from
falling gracefully into line with other
sections of the country and forgetting
itself, as it were, in zeal for the ma
tiOnal welfare. A movement which
will accomplish so desirable a thing as
this deserves popular appreciation and
so far, Malone, in his Virginia cam
paign, has done well. Independence
in preference appears also to have been
a prominent element in the New York
election, and Objectionable parties on
both tickets were scratched" That
sort of independence which tends to
the selection of men fit for Office is eX-
ceedingly desirable, and should be en-
cOuraged. In such a movement lies
our only chance of removing the evils
against which we have had such album
Iant raaSnn to cru ont
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1881-11-18

A fire in Jacob Stern's clothing store
at West Charleston the other day de
stroyed about $500 worth of goods.
Eta Smith, st. Adams girl of sew
euteen years, died the other day in
mysterious way. She went to the
drug store to buy some medicine which
she said she needed, and was taken
sick and died soon after. She was
probably poisoned, but the authorities
of st. Adams didn't trouble themselves
To make any investigation.
On Thanksgiving eve, 1876, the
members of the Industrial Works re-
solved to hold reunion at the hotel
in Springfield, Thanksgiving eve. 1881 =,
when all who had been connected with
the concern could meet together and
compare notes. The membership num-
bers among the hundreds, and they
are scattered all over the Union. A
goodly number are expected to be pres
ent.
The 25th anniversary of the wedding
of A. n. Swain, for the past quarter of
"A century connected with the Bellows
Falls (Nt) Times, was celebrated at
the residence of the couple last evening
by surprise party of IA large number
of people. The gifts were numerous
and consisted of statuary, silver and
flowers.
The house and barn of O. :. Hicks
of White River Junction were burned
the other day. Hicks and his family
We're away. A Frenchman named
Peter Levine, who was suspected of
setting the fire for stealing, was arrest
ed. In this house were found many
articles belonging to Hicks.
Warren StearnS, the postmaster at
West Braintree, died last week under
singular circumstances. Some time
ago his cat scratched his hand and
made bad wound which nearly heal
ed, but was torn open again by Il chick
en-. The hand and arm swellcd badly,
and he died in few days. 1t is allcg-
ed that he has lived unpleasantly with
his wife and daughter. and sus-
piciOns are directed toward them.
John p Howard has given to the
Home for Destitute Children, located
in Burlington, the opera house which
bears his name. 1t was built two wears
ago at IA cost of S425, 900, and contains
four large stores and Il spacious and
beautiful theatre. Mr.. Towards gifts
during the present year to charitable,
religious and educational objects ag-
gregate nearly S225, 900.
Elias Cheney, justice of the peace at
Derby, died suddenly in his chair on
Monday. He was well-knOwn through
the province of Quebec, and was for
merly landlord of the Magog house at
Sherbrooke.
Chief Justice Pierpoint is reported
us improving, and his physicians have
strong hopes of his recovery.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1881-11-18

The tenor of Washington dispatches
indicates that there will be some extend
ed discussion of the Mormon question
in the next House. Delegate Cannon
holds certificate of election given him
by the Utah secretary of state, while
Delegate Campbell holds one from the
Governor and the House will be
called upon to decide which delegate
shall be seated. As Cannon is pO-
lygamist with four wives, and is not
recognized by the supreme court as a
citizen of the United States, there will
be good opportunity for getting at
the true position of Congressman on
this question. The admission of Can
non would be a disgrace to Congress
and to the fair fame of the nation. We
hope the Republicans will object siren
uously to CannOn's taking his seat, and
put themselves and their opponents on
record in regard to this perniciOus
doctrine and practice of MOrmOnism.
The matter should not stop there, Ell
ther. 1t is the duty of Congress to
wipe out the Mormon community as
such, in the name of all that is decent.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1881-11-18

his-insanity, he loses no opportunity to
make a demonstration. He repeatedly
said, 81 do not want any more time.n
81 do not want Robinson any more in
the case" The officers again forced
Guiteau into his chair, when Guiteau
angrily said to them: 'fYOu keep still
and mind your own business. am in
the presence of the Court and pro-
pose to talk when feel like it,
INPANELING A JURY.
The court ordered the impaneling of
the jury to proceed, but beforehand
gave his views as to the qualifications
of jurors. He said that in these days
of newspapers and railroads, a man
who knew nothing about great pub
lie case was not the best juror, and that
he should rule that IA juror otherwise
qualified could act if he could render
an impartial verdict upon the evidence.
1t will evidently be difficult to OBTAIN
IA jury. The panel, as it was called
one by one, said they had formed fixed
opinions that could not be changed.
Some said they believed Guiteau ought
to be hung. Five iurymen were finally
obtained.
Second Days Proceedings.
Thursday was taken up with select
ing other iurymen, and four more were
obtained. These four selections were
made without special incident beyond
the passing episodes of mirth as some
odd exhibitions of human nature were
made in the examinations. Guiteau
conducted himself in an orderly man
ner, and expressed his satisfaction with
the jurors as chosen. His wishes were
consulted in every case, and when the
Juror was accepted and sworn he would
nod his head apprOvingly and say to
his brother or Scoville: ale is IL good
man." or "IIc is II conscientious man.
or some similar expression of approval.
Wednesdays Proceedings.
The story of Tuesday was taken up
again the next morning, one talesman
after another stepping into the witness
box to announce his rooted antipathy
to the prisoner, which disqualified him
from forming or giving IL verdict i'll
conformity with the law and evidence.
The exceptions proved the rule. Oc-
casionalIy a seedy individual, often
colOred, would show disposition to
serve, plainly for the sake of the daily
stipend.
Guiteau decided Wednesday morn
ing to send out an appeal for legal
help, and scratched off the statement
as he sat in court this morning, Il copy
of which was made and furnished by
his brother to the press. The defence
did not authorize or like the perform
ance, but humOred their client in this
us in all his eccentricities, and no OBJ
lection was raised by the court.
The jury was filed at half-past
twelve. They are for the most part
elderly men of responsibility. The de-
fence is reasonably satisfied, and peo-
pie generally think it is us fair minded
Il group as could have been found.
More than hundred letters of Gui-
teau, covering thirty years, will he put
in as evidence ut the trial to show Il
disOrdered mind. Guiteau is in good
spirits and is reported as confident of
acquittal. No hostile demonstration is
anticipated.
Mrs. Dinsmore, Guiteau's wife, now
living at Leadville, Col, has been sum
mOned as a witness ut the assassin's
trial.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1881-11-18
Trial Of Guiteau.

The trial of Guiteau for the murder
of James A. Garfield was begun at
Washington on Monday, before Judge
Cox. AS soon as the doors of the court
room were opened the public began to
swarm in, and in two minutes the
spaces furnished were densely packed.
Mrs. Scoville and John w. Guiteau
took seats by the side of Mr.. Scoville,
the prisoners counsel. When brought
in, Guiteau was pale and anxious, but
looked much better than on his former
appearance. The only immediate
friends of the late President were Judge
Advocate Swain and Colonel Rock
well. Marshal Henry was also pres
ent.
A Scene
Proceedings began by an address to
the Court by Mr.. Robinson, stating the
embarrassment under which counsel for
the defence labOred, and asking for
further time i'll order to obtain addi-
tional counsel and witnesses. At the
conclusion of this address Guiteau rose
excitedly and demanded to be heard i'll
his own defense. Robinson tried to
stop him, but his client angrily waived
him off, saying: "Keep still | am
trying this case myself" He then at
tempted to read speech which he had
prepared for the occasion, but the
Judge said this was not the time. Col.
COrkhill then rose and opposed the
motion for delay. Guiteau was very
restless, and during RObinson's tempo
rary absence leaned over to Scoville,
and, banging his clenched fists tOgeth
er, said "This sort of thing has got to
stop. | only want lawyers for techni-
cal points. | am managing this thing,
and | told Robinson didn't want him
to make such a speech ScOville said
nothing, and Guiteau subsequently
held an excited colloquy with Robin
son. He is evidently going to he IA
troublesome client.
Mr.. ScOville rose and said he OppOs-
ed the motion. He did not want fur
Their delay, and regarded RobinsOn's
course as extraordinary. He had
not been consulted, and protested
against utldN. Uulitdu IOSt anu tx
citedly said: 81 indOrse every word
of that. | told Robinson that if he did
not do this thing as | wanted it done
he could get off this case" As Robin
son was about to rise, Guiteau cOntin-
ued: al don't want any more speech
from Mr.. Robinson in the matter until
he gets authority from me to talk
The Deputy Marshal here seized Gui-
teau from behind and forced him into
his chair, when Guiteau hastily said
''YOu let me alone, please, and mind
your business The Judge intimated
that he might be willing to postpone
the case one week, when Guiteau said
"Mr. Robinson came into this case
without my knowledge. know moth
ing about him. | expect money enough
in few days and can employ any
counsel | please | demand that he
retire peremptorily from the case"
Judge Cox finally decided that the
case shall proceed at least as far as to
impanel the jury and put in the evil
dence for the government. Then the
question of delay might be considered.
But he thought there would be time
enough, as the case proceeded, for the
defence to prepare its case. Guiteau
continued during the proceedings to
be very restless and constantly at
tempted to interrupt the court. If he
is endeavorlng to convince the court of
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1881-11-18

that Queen Elizabeth sat on the throne.
Victoria has now reigned longer
than any other English sovereign ex
cept George Ill, Henry III. and Ed
ward Ill.
The state is Republican; the victory
ours New York stands by Arthur.
Cornell and the old Republican party !
TROY Times (Rep.)
The first families of Virginia have
learned by this time that even i'll the
Old Dominion the most families count
on election days at the present time
Boston Journal.
Mrs. Garfield has written a letter to
Cyrus w. Field, ESQ.,, gratefully ac-
knowledging the generous eOntribu-
lions of the people to the fund for the
support of herself and children.
An esteemed religious contemporary
says it is authorized to announce that,
in consequence of the admission to the
North American Review of "recent ar
ticles" Bob IngersOll's apparently ID.
Appleton & Co. have declined to act
as Editor Rice's publishers after the
close of the present year Springfield
Republican.
The New York Evening Post says
that the result of the election in that
state must convince people that the Re-
publican party can get along without
the efforts of "the machine" The Re
publican state ticket has been elected
mot only without the machine leader
ship, but without any leadership"
Gen. Weaver, the ex-candidate of
the Greenback party for the Presiden-
cy, is overlooking with confidence in
the ultimate success of his party, which,
he says, presents the only issues which
are of Importance to the people.
Why do all the third-termers get so
hot over the publication of reports that
President Arthur's new Cabinet will be
Grant from top to bottom Are they
willing to admit that such a Cabinet
would be a bad thing for the President
and for the country7 If would be a
good thing, why is it an act of hostility
to President Arthur to say he will APP
point it 7 If Grantism is good thing,
we can't have too much of it, can we
IN. Y. Tribune.
There is a great wrong in giving
wings to his (Ingersoll's) wicked words.
To put blasphemy into type, to give it
the dignity and currency of Review
that goes into thousands of households
never snspecting that they were to be
outraged by such stuff, is great social
wrong, for which no defense or excuse
is possible. 1t is an Offense to be for
given only upon evidence that it will
not be repeated New York Observer.
If Congress had needed the warning
of SecretaryiSherman that the arrears
of pension bill would cost 800, 900, 900,
there would have been less reckless
ness in fiinging away the public money.
The pension commissioner seriously
asks for 800, 100000 for this purpose
alone next winter. If the 60-surgeOns
bill or some other means of protecting
the government is not adopted by Con-
gress, the whole revenue will go to
pensions yet.-[Springfeld Republi-
can.