Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1881-11-15
GUILTY GUITEAU.
THE TRIAL OF THE ASSASSIN FORM
ALLY OPENED.
Trouble in Getting a Jury-A Breeze Be-
twesn ScoyilIe and Robinson The Mo-
ton for Delay 0yeruIed,
GUITEAU'S UNOELWERsD SPEECH
THE GREAT CASE.

o'clock, precisely. Judge Walter Cox
entered the Criminal Court room and
court was declared formally opened by
the crier.
How the Assassin Looks
Immediately thereafter, Guiteau was
brought into the court room by the
marshal aud his deputies. He looked
in much better condition, physically
and otherwise, than when he last ap-
peared in the same room, TO plead to
the indictment. Still ne had the same
restless, iurtive expression, which
characterised him before. He was at
once relieved of his handouts, and took
his seat beside his sister, Mrs. Scoville.
The room was crowded. District At
torney Corkhill, Porter. ef New York,
W. Daridge appeared for the prosecu-
ton, and ScoviIle, and Leigh Robinson
ior the defense. Smith was present to
represent the Attorney General.
One of Guiteaa's first movements
was to thrust mis- hand into one OF his
pockets and hall take outs roll OF paper.
Scoville, however, in dumb play, order
ed him to put it back and ne did so.
The Government Ready.
Then the District Attorney declared
the readiness of the prosecution to pro-
csed with the case. Robinson then
arose TO make plea for still more time
TO prepare the defense, which appeared
not to meet the approval Of Guitesu.
All the time that Robinson was speak
ing, Guiteau was carrying on what
appeared TO be remonstrance with SEQ
vile, who was apparently trying to quiet
and suppress him.
Guitesu Speaks.
At the close of RobinsOn's speech
Guiteau insisted OF being heard. He
said he was not aware that q postpone
ment was to be requested. He desired
70 be heard on his own behalf at the
very threshold OF the case. So far AS he
was concerned, he said, he did not want
anv further time. He was ready to try
the case now.
The Motion Ovsrruled.
Owing to the opposition OF Scoville
and the prisoner 10 the application OF
Robinson for an extension OF time, the
Court stated that for the present the
case should proceed As far, at least, as
the swearing of the jury was concerned,
and then he would consider the question
of extension.
Enpsnnelling Jury.
About eleven O'Clock the work OF OBJ
tanning a Jury was begun, The three
who first presented themselves being
disqualified, two on the ground that
they had formed an opinion on the case,
and the other on the ground that he
had conscientious scrupIss on the sub
iect OF capital punishment. In eIamiu-
ing the jurors, ScovilIe went over large
range Of questions as TO religious and
political belief.
The Assassin's Defense.
WASHINGTON, November l4.-In the
speech which Guiteau had prepared for
delivery in court to day, he says ne is
charged with numbering one James A.
Garfield. Nothing can be more absurd,
because General Garfield dlgd OF NAL
practice. General Garfield was u good
man but a weak politicion. Being Pres
ident he was in position to Go vast
harm to the Republic, and he was doing
it bv unwise use OF patronage; and the
Lord and himself took the responsibility
of removing him that his duty to the
Lord and to the American people over
come his personal feelings towards
Gen. Garfield, and he sought 70 re move
him, Not being a marksman, Gen. Gar
field was not fatally shot, but incompe-
| tent physicians finished the work, and
they, not himself, are responsible for his
| death.
He then speaks Of the breach in the
| Republican party and his resolve to re-
! move the President, anu claims that the
| Deity ordered him to fire the shot. He
refers to his work on theology, insanity
! in his family, his married life and his
life in prison, and appeals to those
whom ne says he has put in positions,
| and to the general public to seud him
money for his defense.
Five Jurors have been obtained and
sworn in. Their names and occupations
are as follows: John p. Hariin, restau-
| rant keeper; Fred. w. Branderberg,
cigarmaker; Charles q. Stewart, -four
| ard feed dealer; Henry J. Bright, re-
| tired from business; Thomas II. Lang
lev. grocer. The panel was exhausted
! after the i've Jurors had been obtained,
| and at the suggestion OF the District
| Attorney an order was issued for draw
| ing - additional names from the box.
Quite /. Breeze.
The prisoner at this point slowly rose
and informed tine court that he would
like To- MAKE speech tomorrow morn
Ing, but he was ordered by the court to
take his seat. He then passed. the man
uscript of his speech TO a newspaper re.
porter, but before the latter could leave
the court room Scoville called him back.
and compelled him to return it. This
raised the anger oil the prisoner, who
e1citedlv declared he was not under tn,
control of his counsel, that he was =
LAWYER and knew the law himself; thai
when he wanted help he would ask fol
il, and that ne desired his speech to be
published for the purpose OF Influencing
public opinion. He WAS again silenced
bv the Court, ard it having been agreed
that ehs sittinys OF the court should be
from 10 A. VI 10 ) y. VI. daily, allowing
half an hour for recess, the court adj
journed.
Is it Cunning or Crasiness.
WAsHIxGToN, November l4.-Guit
cans performances in court, to-day
seemed to have convinced few persons
tnat he is really crazy, but the genera
opinion IS that he overdid his acting
that the same shrewdness with which
he planned his assassination and his es
cape from the mob, prompted him tC
his line of conduct this morning, with
a view Of backing up his plea OF insanity
by his actions. He WAS, undoubtedly
much excited, especially when two po
licemeu seized him. He threw them of
violently and told them TO mad their
own business; that he proposed to con.
duct his own case.
Robinson Criticised.
Tus course OF Robinson. associate
counsel, in asking for postponement
and for additional counsel, without con
sulting ScOyille, his chief, is commented
upon as unusual in the practice. SEQ
. Vile says such proceeding is unhearc
, nj. and that he will retire from the cas-,