The Columbus journal., 1881-12-07

President was introduced, when he
described his interviews with Blaine
and Garfield at length in trying to
secure the Paris consulship, and said
the party was at lOggerheads and
got very much worried over it.
wrote several notes to the President,
telling him something must be done,
but the paid no attention 10 it. He
kept on worrying over the political
situation, and knew this nation was
coming to grief. The prisoner then
said the inspiration under which he
acted, was where mans mind is
possession of by supreme power
where he acts outside of himself.
Suddenly, on the Wednesday eve-
ming after COnkling's resignation,
he thought if President Garfield was
out of the way all would go well.
He tried to shake it off, but it grew.
In a fortnight's time it had be-
come fixed resolve. He had never
doubted, since that time, about the
first of July, that he was inspired.
He prayed and prayed, asking
God if Garfield was not thus to
be removed, to get rid of him in
some other way. The removal was
necessary to save the nation from
ruin. No allusion was made by the
witness to the immediate incidents
of the shooting. He said he believed
in special providences and has no
concern about his personal safety.
In response to the question, did you
not determine to murder Gen. Gar
field !? The prisoner replied, | decline
to answer that. That's very strong
way so put it. considered myself
the agent of Deity. l had no per-
sonal vOlition in the matter. |
never would have shot the President
on my own personal account. Deity
inspired the act, and would take care
of it. never entertained the idea
of murder. | never had any con-
ception of the matter as murder.
The cross examination was con-
Quoted by Judge Porter.
The prisoner bore the examination
with considerable self possession,
but occasionally became much ex-
cited.
Dec. 9Th the trial was resumed,
bringing to the court roo m the usual
thrOng.
After the prisoner referred to his
appeal for money, and inviting his
friends to send it i'm by the $40, or
SIS, or $1,000, just as they wish,
Judge Porter commenced submit
ting to the prisoner interrogatories,
in quick succession, which in general
only had the effect to elicit similar
responses as the prisoner gave on
his examination in chief, until he
was closely pressed on facts that
might by possibility show a motive
for the murderOus act of shooting
the President, and then he manifest
ed great excitement and became
bOisterous, but bis intellect seemed
Iact aud tne 1oire or 136raize. the
law az any other man posted on
that Subject. When pressed hard,
he would refuse to answer Judge
POrter's questions, and say to him,
"You need not point your long fin
ger at me, Judge Porter. I've seen
you do that before, but you can't
scare me-"
The court adjourned without con-
cluding the cross examination.
On the morning of the % inst, the
cross examination was resumed by
Judge Porter, which resulted in
little more than what was brought
out on previous examinations, and
the prisoner becoming terribly ex-
cited and whenever pressed by the
cross examination would refuse to
answer questions. He was asked |
whether he was insane at all ?" and |
replied, 81 am not an expert. Let |
these experienced men decide that.
Being pressed for his opinion, wit
ness declined to answer.
The prisoner being pressed to
state what occurred on the I'd of
July, said that when at the depot
July I'd he went to the water closet,
where he remained for some time.
lie took out his pistol and wiped it.
When he came out he saw Blaine
and Garfield in the most intimate
engaged in close conver.
,atiOn. He shot twice at the Presi-
lent in the back. He felt remorse
1t the deed, but his duty to Ameri-
IAN interests compelled him to do
il.
Here Judge Porter announced the
ross examination closed.
ScOville resumed the re-examina-
ion closed and the prisoner was
'emoved to his seat behind the
DIR. Neal, of Ohio, stated that he
net Guiteau three or four years ago;
hought he was insane. He was not
N expert, and had never examined
he prisoner rs to his responsibility
or crime. Court adjourned till to-