The Portland daily press., 1881-11-26
GUITEAU's TRIAL.
The Assassin Makes Another
Statement.
GOD AND THE NEWSPAPERS CHARG
ED WITH HIS CRIME.
More Testimony Tending to Show In
Sanity.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 25.--Sbortly before the
advent of Judge Cox this morning the crlml-
nal cours room presented the appearance OF a
we'll filled theatre upon an opening night, the
audience filing every nook OF the room IL
most part representing the most fashionable
cries. Opera glasses were in conspicuous use,
and the hum OF feminine voices ives last De-
coming deafeniDg when Marshal Henry rap
ped order and announced that all demonstra-
lions of noisy character must be repressed or
the court room wouls be- cleared. This admo-
milton was repeated by Judge Cox
Immediately upon the opening OF the court
Mr. Scoville stated that Guiteau desired to
make statement. No objection being made
Guiteau read from manuscript substantially
as follows:
STATEMENT By GUITEAU.
L propose to have all the facts bearing upon
this case to go to the court and jury, and to do
this have been forced 10 interrupt the coun-
sci and witnesses who were mistaken as to sup
posed facts. l meant no discourtesy to them
or any one. Any fact in my career bearing on
the question, "Who fired that shot, the Deity
or myself?'' is OF vital importance in this case,
and propose that it shall GO to the jury.
Hence my personal, political and theologicnl
record NAV be developed. am glad that your
honor aud the opposing counselsaie disposed 10
give historical review OF my LIE, ana ask
the press and public to do likewise. All L
want is absolute Justice aud shall not permit
anv crooked work have no idea that my
counsel want crooked work. They are often
mistaken on supposed facts and shall have to
correct them. Last spring certain newspapers
in New York and Washington were Dltterly
denouncing the President for breaking up the
Republican party by improper appointments.
[ would like those newspapers to repeat those
editorials now and see how they would look
and sound. In attempting to remove the Pres
ident only did what the papers said ought to
be DONE Since July I'd they have been deify-
ing the President and denouncing me for do-
ing everything they said ought to- be done.
want the newspaperssand the doctors who ac-
tually killed the President to share with me
the odium of his death. never would nave
shot him of my own volitlon, NOTWITHSTANDING
those newspapers, if 1 had not been commits
stoned by tire Deity to do the deed But this
fact does not relieve the newspapers from tne
supposed disgrace of the Presidents removal.
Ii he had been properly treated he would been
alive to-day.
1t has been published that I am in fear OF
DEATH 1t is false. / have always been re-
lgious man and active worker for God. Some
oeople think that / am murderer, but the
Lord does not, for he inspired the act as IN tue
case of Abraham and score other cases IN the
Bible. The assault made upon me SATURDAY
last by a crank has been condemned Dy the
press The ewes of the civilized world are
watching this case, and it behooves this Court
and the metropolitan police to project me at
all hazards. hereby warn all cranks OF nign
or low degree to keep away from under Inc
penalty of sudden death. He would have been
shot dead Saturday but for the rearing OF the
nor ses in the van, AS the officer was shootlng
the horses shook the van so that he missed his
aim, and though the van pursued him ne tenn
porarily escaped. I waste my arguments on
cranks. All they can see IN this case IS po-
liceman's revolver. Again say ii they value
their lives they must keep away from me.
desire the court and jury to dispose OF the case
on the facts and law and leave all responsible
ity about it to the verdict.
Scoville then referred to his previous oe-
mands for certain printed newspaper. slips
which were taken from Guiteau at the time at
his arrest.
which considerable feeling was shown upon
both sides. Scoville protested against the
course of the district attorney IN the matter,
and the latter contemptuously retorted from
his seat, "Oh stuff, stuff, all stuff" The con-
troversy was finally settled and Scoville called
John A. Logan for the defence. The witness
did not respond, however.
Guiteau, who appeared greatly excited, here
broke in again and shouted so as to be dis
tipctly heard in every part of the room.
There is another matter that want TO speak
about right now. understand my divorced
wife is to be brought here as a witness against
me. If that is SO there will be trouble. one
was a poor unfaithful thing and l never should
have married her. But if she comes in here to
testify against me and do me any harm, I'll
rip up her whole record. She was seduced in
Philadelphia and had child before married
her.
With great difficulty Scoville, after some
minutes of expostuiation, succeeded In quiet
ing Guiteau, who for the next fifteen minutes
devoted himself to his newspapers
Two other witness were called but tailed to
respond.
JOSEPH B. SMITH
of Freeport, Ill.,, then testified as to his ac-
quantance with the Gulteau family.
f. o. Foss
of Dover, N. H, testified that he was at the
depot when Garfield was shot. His evidence
referred mainly to Guiteau's appearance. He
saw the officers take him in a carriage, and
standing within two feet of the prisoner he
scrutinizea him closely. His impression at
the time was that they had arrested the wrong
mar, as he heard him say something about
letter to General Sherman that would explain
all There were several sharp passages be-
tween Scoville and the counsel for the prose-
cution during the questioning OF this wit
ness,
CHARLES H. REED
of Chicago, detailed several incidents in Gui-
teau's career as lawyer at Chicago. The wit
ness was prosecuting attorney for IL years and
met Guiteau frequently, but his relations with
him were never intimate. He had loaned him
money which is still unpaid. He always regard
ed him very earnest sincere man but nbal-
anced. He never saw any indications ofvioence
but always deemed him harmless man until
recently. He met Guiteau several times at the
Riggs House in the spring and held several
conversations with him.
Guiteau looked gaunt and friendless, showed
a quick, restless movement OF the eyes and
reluctance about looking in the face. FIRE.
auent references were made during these con-
versations to the office Guiteau was expecting
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 responsibility
attaching but Guiteau became very indignant
and said, "You watch the papers for the next
three or four days and you will see the an
pouucement of my appointment to the Paris
cousulsbip." Witness visited Guiteau few
DAYS since in Jail and asked him why he killed
Pres dent Garfield. Prisoner was lying down
on his couch. He arose excitedly and began
a rambling sort of speech saying, Il did not do
it, the Lord did it; was only the Lords iu-
strument in removing the President" At
times the prisoner would show great excite
ment, striking his fists against the wall with
considerable violence; then he would relapse
into perfectly quiet state speaking almost in
a whisper. Witness received the impression
that Guiteau was of uusound mind. Being
pressed for more direct answer he replied,
II had no doubt of it.
Upon cross examination by Davidge witness
stated the last time he saw Guiteau at the
Riggs House was Oh Tuesday evening before
the assassination of the President. Guiteau
took exceptions to the date and insisted he did
not see witness for month previous to July
first Witness was sure of the correctness OF
his statement as he went directly TO Saratoga
and heard there Of the killing of the President.
Gniteau shouted out 81 say it was the first OF
May, don't forget anything you see that's the
matter with my brain. when anything gets in
there it sticks.
Witness resumed, when Guiteau broke in
again directly contradicsing him. He was eau
toned TO keep qniet, and retorted: "We want
facts, Judge, to go before the jury and nothing
else." l claim my act was inspired by the
Deity. stand my case on that position and
will take my chances on the result" The pris-
oner continued to interrupt, making rambling
and irrelevant remarks until Judge Cox quite
sharply threatened to gag him if he did NOT
keep quiet Guiteau continued to interpose
his objection, however, but in less objection
able manner and gradually subsidized alto
gether. Recess.
On the reassembling of the court Mr.. Sco-
vile requested the scourt to order an attach
ment for Emory B. Storrs of Chicago who it
had been understood had refused to obey the
subpoena of the court. Guiteau hoped there
would be no occasion for an attachment as
Storrs was good fellow. The subpoena not
vet having been returned into court, MIR. SEQ
vile did not press the subject.