The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1881-12-24
CHRISTMAS EVE.
The Guiteau Trial still
Drags On.
The Great Unhung as Sane
as ever.
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WASHINGTON, Dec. 24.-Col Reed,
Scoville and J. W Guiteau were in consul
tation half an hour before the opening
of the court. DIR. Steafn took the stand
and Scoville resumed the cross examina-
ton relating to the various FERNS of insan
ity. Witness stated that the faculty of
memory generally first shows impairment
in most all forms of insanity
Scoville asked: ''Do you agreeIwith the
last witness that insanity is always an out
ward manifestation of diseased brain?"
Judge Porter objected to the form of
question and insisted that defense observe
some rule. Prosecution had adhered to
the practice of letting each witness testify
to what he knew and not found an argu-
ment upon the evidence Of another.
Guiteau-"You are getting excited, Por
ter"
Scoville.-I must say that Judge Porter
can make the most out of nothing of any
man ever met After further questians
relative to brain diseases, Seoville asked:
rs it true that such diseases can always
be detected by an examination of that or
gan?' Answer,-I can only answer, that
there have been cases of brain, where, up
on examination, after death, no lesion of
brain was detected Witness was about to
make some further observations Just as
Scoville proposed a question:
Judge Porter, Ito .witness) ''go on, wit
ness and finish yonr answer"
Scoville, WE'LL hold on a minute, we
would like to know who is conducting this
examination,-you or /?
Porter,-I assume the court is conduct
ing this trial, and to the court | shall al
ways appeal flor the enforcement of the
rules of practice.
Witness is one of the NJ ost noted scientists
in this country and Won must not attempt
to treat him as though he were your schoe
boy, / will not permit it.
Scoville with some warmth) 'fwell let u
see about it Mr. Judge Porter" Guiteal
chimed in with hit but without raising
his eyes from the pamphlet which he wa
pretending to read, broad grin overspreat
his features. He seemed to greatly enJo
the storm of angry words; Judge Cox in
terposed with few smooth words and tn
examination proceeded some tiHe withou
incident.
As witness was about to retire, Guitea
said: sAllow me to ask il you hold tn
opinion that a man cannot be insane in
special act without having disease
brain?"
Scoville assented to the question an
witness replied that Insanity meant di
ease of the brain"
Gufteau asked another question bu
Judge Porter suggested to witness that b
held no colloquy with the criminal.
-(Angrily)-'Tm no crimin'
any more than you are. I'm here as m
own counsel and have as much right
81 ask as you have. Wait till
AM CONVICTED
before you call me criminal. l stand
great deal better outside than you dt
Plenty of people viii say I'm bigger ma
than old Porter.
Corkhin suggested if this abnse is pc
mitted, the prosecution would insist on Il
prisoner being removed to the dock.
Judge Cox-"The court has alreat
considered the advisability of such
course"
Guiteau-''The court has no discreti'
in the matter. I appear here as my oV
counsel, in accordance with the law a.
usage in every state in the country"
The incident was evidently not witho
effect upon the prisoner, who seems to
.aIize, now that he has boldly asserted th
HE rs PERFECTLY SANE,
that he viii be held amenable to the sal
rules of behavior of others.
DIR. Strong, of Cleveland, who WISH
Guiteau in his cell was. about to test
when Guiteau said: Doctors let me
this short by saying / am in as good PIN
ical condition as you are" Judge For
demanded the interference of the court
stop the prisoners interruptions, and .
vile demanded that Porter make so
proposition instead of making speecl
TO the jury. Porter excitedly said J
haVe insuited a distinguished witness
no'w assume to dictate the management
our case"
0ui'eau shouted back at Porter 6
"hie the latter was most impressively
dressing the court, and neither could
heard Judge Cox securing silence sta
while he didn't desire to act hastily
should punish the prisoner for confer
ii he again transgressed the bounds
propriety.
Guiteau said he didn't appear as an
'dinary criminal but as his own counsel
Reid tried to get Categorical ans,
from the witness on ahypothetical case !,
sharp colloquy between Reid and Po,
ensued.
Guiteau interjected Porter you,ve
"a mouth like an old catfish, youll bring
in lunatic asylum vet
He soon after informed witness he was
stupidest one yet and as he stepped d,
said, Now go get your $500 and
home"