The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1881-11-18
Let Ger from Washington.
vg,t. ! p,.,...........

Guitehu was brought up for trial this
morning. The Jail is about one mile
from the City Hall, where the trial is
held. The authorities forestallcd the
crowd by conveying the prisoner TO
the Hall ut an early hour, long before
The people began TO collect. Addi-
tional seats have been provided in the |
court room. Yet after throDgiDg the |
room, hundreds were turned away. |
At ten o'clock the judge took his seat
and soon after the prisoner appeared in
custody of three officers, and after be-
ing relieved of bis handouts, took his
seat next MIR. Scovillc. His sister,
Mrs. Scoyillc, and his BROTHER, j. w.
Guileau, of Boston, sat next. The
prisoner presents a much better
appearance than when arranged some
weeks since. lie wore black suit
with white shirt and collar, while on
the previous occasion he was attircd in
an old rusty suit and colored shirt.
Immediately upon order being attain
ed, Mr.. Robinson, senior counsel for
the defense, arose and asked fer an ex.
tension of time. Upon hearing this,
Guiteau sprang to his feet aud vociiera-
ted that he did not not want any more
time. lie was ready for trial, and did
not want Robinson anyway. Said he
was lawyer himself and could con-
duct his own defense. He appeared
terribly excited, continually pounding
the table in front of him, and finally
had TO be forced to his scat by the Off
GERS, TO whom he yelled, "Leave me
alone. Mind your own business" &C.
} While the counsel were arguing the
question Of more time he again jumped
: 10 his feet and said lie had written a
statement which lie wished to read.
Again force had to be used to Get him
= down, ard SO il continued, every few
3 minutes he was on his feet yelling and
2csticuIating until forced TO his scat.
lie created considerable amusement at
one Time by informing tho court that il
MIR. Robinson was retained, he (Gni-
teaW would go ont of the case entirely
and have nothing whatever TO do with
it. Il suspicion lurlled in the minds OF
= many that these exhibitions on the part
OF the prisoner were studied, and were
the prologue of his proposed defense Of
insanity. II acting, il was well done
and doubtless had lis effect in some
quarters. The court said he would
+ give the defense time TO make further
, arrangements tas the case proceeded
:. but rs for the present, the business o
n selecting a Jury and hearing the testi
mony Of the government must proceed
q When the first juror was called, Judg,
Cox said before intelrogating the juror
individually he wished to make one o
l. two observations. lie said an idc
is prevails that any impression or opin
D.. ion. however lightly formed or feebl,
}. held, disqualilles from serving in th
n character of an impartial juror. Thi
l. l. an error. In these days Of newspa
per enterprise and unusual education
every case of public interest is almos
n as a matter Of necessity brought TO III
II attention Of all the intelligent people il
=. TIC vicinity, and scarcely any one ca
o he found among those best fitted 70
N Jurors who has not read or heard of il
" or who has not some impression o
10 some opinion in respect TO its merits
If the prevalent idea mentioned wer
correct, ii would follow that the mos
T. illitcratc ard misiniormcd people j
le the community would be the best qua
III flied TO discharge duties which rcquir
Ic some intelligence and information
re After some further remarks of Til
nr character, the process Of impancling
n jury was proceeded with. Five out Of
ne panel of twenty-five were accepte
and sworn. The court ordered Oh
hundred names TO be placed in DO
m TO be drawn for the purpose of con
A. plotting the jury. Again the prisont
rh became boisterous and informed IL
III court that lie desired TO make specc
er insthc morning. Mrs Scoyillc attemp
VI. ed TO quiet him, but he roughly thru
l. her aside and pounded away on IL
T. table, insisting that he mnst be hcart
Cont now adjourned, aud after bcin
handcuilcd, Guiteau was removed
y More anon. II. +. c.
III N0VcmEc il 1881.