New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-11-29
THE ASSASSIN THE CENTRAL FIGURE.

lbi iEbi'NNAIh ~ lliE IlIBJNf'I
WASHINGTON, Nov. 23.-The climax of the farce
which has been running for two weeks in the old
Court House Judiciary Square came to-day. Tho
assassin 5Olcmnly rebuked the editors and corre-
spondents who have dared to comment on the indec-
Orus manner in which his trial has been carried on.
lie had been reading the newspapers for an hour
more there was q ul in the examination of a wit
ness suddenly he lifted his eyes from his news
paper and said loudly, in his nervous, rapid way:
II want these newspaper craaks to re-
member that l appear here as ny
own counsel 1 that they have
been delivering themselves of lot Of
silly stuff about me. | want to say 20 these
'cranls that my counsel, L have n right To
talk" This was said the prelude to a great deal
cf nonsense and great deal more Of sense, inter-
ected at intervals into the current of the remarks
of the Judge the counsel AMI the witnesses. Judge
Cox grew very weary before MONDAY but there
was no way of stopping the flood of bis words.
The spectators behaved very well. Marshal
Henry, as soon as all the chairs AMI desks and
every inch Of standing room wcIe occupied,
had silence proclaimed and then exhorted the we'll
dressed crowd TO behave as if in church. The spec
tatOrs really acted with some decOram. They
laughed at times as ludicrous things said aud
DONE The assassin Mrs Scoyille, John W. Guitesu
and Mrs. Augustus Parker his cousin, were
all on the stand to-day. Their testimony rem
dered the proceedings highly interesting.
Guiteau was on the stand for twenty minutes
and identified half score Of letters written by HIM
self to his father and brother-ln-law. He was the
last witness Of the dag After his predecessor had
left the stand there was moments pause. A wit
ness or two was called and did not answer.
Charles J. GuiteaU" said Mr.. Scoville in his 4uet
way. Charles J. Guiteau " shouted the quaint old
IN bisl Come arouuI. and
catch hold of the book"
Guiteau went around guarded by the two police
men and the Deputy Marshal who ranged them
selves behind him in stiff attitudes. He oIughs
"hold of the book and taking the oath, kissed it
reverently. lie promptly requested chair. Ea
was not at all afraid TO stand up, he said, but ba
wanted a chair, as he was weary. lie sat down and
identified one by one the letters handed him by Ar.
| Scovilc, who stood beside him. lie remarked now
and again on the continued improvement of his
handwriting from his boyhOod on. Sitting there on
the little dais in full sight from every
corner of the courtroom he seemed supremeIy
self-conscious and sUprcmely happy. He was tho
cynosure of all eyes, aud he smiled frequently as 10
thought of it, lie looked directly at Mr.. ScOylIa.
so that his prof was presented 10 the Spectators
The eyDcrfs had the best opportunity they have
ever had of observing It, rs 1t stood out sharply 0nt-
lined against the blue coats as the background Ills
profile adds no strength TO the insanity defence
His appearance when his side face IS presented !s
that of q slrcwd, wcll-baanccd busi-
ness man. He never looked less Ike
an insane man than this alternoca.
After hc had completed the examination of the let,
trrs he was eXcus d till tomorrow, when he VIII
tell the story of his life and the Court adjourned
Mrs. ScUviIle's testimony went TO prove ms gen
eraI crazuess and 50 did that OF John w Gultc2l-
The latter, however, declined to admit that rs
father was insane and was ayersc to proving th4s
hereditary insanity existed iG his family. lie ad-
mirtcd that he had always considered his relatives
sane. lie was a good witness for the prosecution,
The other witnesses testified respecting tbc insanity
of the family in general and Of the assassin n pas
tic lar.