The Portland daily press., 1881-07-07


from what knew of Guteau, that what he
had done was of his own notion and without
influence or advice from any one. To satisfy
myself L desired to question him." In relat-
ing the conversation with the prisoner in the
jail, Mr.. Scoville says:-"Guiteau recognized
me, of course. He was glad to see me, and
inquired about the members of my family. 1
may say he has been on as good terms with my
family as with anybody. There were at times
some differences between US. He would do as
he had mind to, often in way that was not
satisfactory to me. did not like to support
him, while he would be down IN the shade un-
der tree and read the Testament in order to
prepare useless lectures. l did not like this,
and told him SO, and directed him TO leave the
house; but he remained on as good terms with
the family as with any others"
In regard to the Divine revelation which
Guiteau pretends to have received directing
him to kill Mr.. Garfield. he said to MIR. SEQ
ville-"I thought of it day and day, and The
more / thought of it the more L became con.
WINGED it was the will of God that should
kill Mr.. Garfield. had nothing against him
personally that should kill him. | respected
him very much and think him very worthy
man. but the welfare of the country and the
Republican party seemed to me to require that
l should pat him out OF the way. The differ.
ences existing in the Republican party would
cease, the party would become triumphant, the
stalwarts ruling, and the party. in TACT, would
be stronger than ever. l became satisfied that
it was the will the people, too" How did
you find out that it was the will OF the peo-
pie?'' Did you go and ask people or speak to
them about the thing?" asked Mr.. Scovllie.
Guiteau laughed at this 'Of course" said
he, "such thing would not do. 1t would Tot
do for me to tell people what was going to do
No human soul knew OF it. No human being
knew word of it or had any ntimaton of
my intention in this matter" Guitean went
on to tell of his studying the newspapers and
cutting out slips, showing that the people de-
sired this thing to be done, and of his sending
the slips to Attorney General MacVeagh. He
accompanied the sips, he says, with an expla-
nation why he was going to shoot the President
and asked him to publish the whole in news
paper. Mr.. Seoville then, further addressing
Guiteau, said:-"I have come eli the way here
from Chicago. l talked with many people
there, and with many ON the way to this place,
and find that the people, as you call them,
are very much excited against you, and consid-
er your act very great outrage and crime
Guiteau smiled at this and said 81 guess you
have not talked with the stalwarts. Tney
won't say So" Mr.. Scoville thereupon asked:
Have you contemplated the punishment you
will receive for this?" To this Guiteau prompt
ly replied :-"They can't punish me. There
can't be murder without nurderous intent,
and have never had any intent to murder
him. L had no more intent TO kill him than /
had to kill you. l only meant to shoot him for
the good of the country. During the war it
was not considered q crime to shoot rebels
neither was it. Now, TO shoot Mr.. Garfield
was like shooting rebel during the war
have nothing against Mr.. Garfield. I have
just as friendly feeling Tor him to-day as you
have, and there can't be murder in such case
as that "But suppose" continued Mr.. SEQ
vile, that a jury should find differently and
should convict you of murder?" Guiteau
again smiled Said he:"I am not afraid of
that; the stalwarts will protect me; Gen. Ar
thur will be President, and he is as particular
friend of mind, ard others of the stalwarts
are friends of mine, and they are not going to
see me suffer when, by my act. placed them
in power But this whole affair will be blown
over III thirty days. just as soon as the people
become accustomed to the change and the
stalwarts are in power; and when they get my
version of it and understand the reason for the
act, they will be satisfied, and there will be no
further complaint about it." "But," said Mr..
Scoville, "the President may not die. He
may survive, and, even then, your punishment
may be capital on account of the enormity of
the crime" Guiteau answered 1.-THE Presi-
| dent will die; know he will die; hear of re-
ports every once in while to the effect that
| he is better. But mark my words. he will die.
| The Lord intends it. The Lord directed me,
ana he means that the President shall die
| Mr.. Corkhill, the prosecuting attorney, here
asked-"Bnt suppose that the President should
live, what will you then say about the Lord
and his WHIP Guiteau answered by saying
| that If such was what happened it would be
| because the Lord does not intend the President
shall die" SIN that event." pursued Mr..
Corkhill, "would you sheet the President
again'' Again Guiteau laughed, and said
that he would go according to the will of the
Lord. He would have no more TO do with the
marter, and would not again shoot the Presi-
dent if the Lord did not intend the latter to
die.
During thu continuance of the interview Mr.
Scoville says Guiteau's manner was quite nat
ural, but that he would get excited every little
while in speaking and would bring his fist
down fcrcibly on his knees. His eyes, and in
deed, his whole appearance, showed his pres
emit insanity. 81 don't think" Continued Mr..
Scoville, shat there is the shadow of doubt
about it, and believe ne is in earnest and sin
cere in his view. 1t is the case of an ill-bal-
anced mind and deficient mental capacity in
certain directions. There is about him an in
tense application to single IDEA that he hap
pens to be possessed of, and he will pursue that
idea to the exclusion of everything else. He
would go without eating or drinking while he
was intent upon some idea. but he lacked the
mental capacity to arrive at any great result in
his thinking