The Columbus journal., 1881-11-23
GUITEAU's TRIAL.

ASHlN6TON, NONtHlO6T "a
Soon after daylight this morning q
great crowd began to gather about
the district court house, all anxious
to get a glimpse of the assassin Gui-
tesu, whose trial was to begin al
10 a. IN. For hours they waited. Al
length the court doors were opened
As many as could be accommodated
with seats were admitted and the
others stood near by in hopeless
anxiety. The prisoner was brought
down from the Jail this time in the
police van, but so quietly that scarce
ly any one but the officers knew il.
Every seat In the court room was
filled except foHr and all available
standing room. The audience was
composed for the most part of men,
bers of the District bar, witnesses
and members of the press. Not
more than half a dozen ladies had
gained admission TO the court room.
Next to the three or four vacant
seats referred to sat lawyer ScOville,
his wife, who is Guiteau's sister,
Guiteau's brother and lawyer Rob-
inson, his chief counsel. AT 10 :05
a. M, there was rush near the
northwest entrance, and the marshal
entered, followed by two officers,
between whom was the prisoner.
Guiteau was dressed in a suit of
dark clothes which his brother pre-
sented yesterday. He took a seat
by his sister, Mr.. Robinson on the
other side, the officers sat behind
him, and one of them leaning over
unfastened the cuffs from Guiteau's
wrist. The prisoner then shook
hands with his brother and sister,
handed the latter a small pamphlet
and package of paper, and then ar
ranged the articles on the table
before him rather as if he had been
counsel then accused. He appeared
much more collected than when first
srraigned and had nothing Of the
frightened look that marked him at
that time. When all was quiet Mr..
Robinson addressed the court ask
ing for more time before the trial.
He said he had reason to know that
he could get needed assistance as
counsel before long and that he had
some witnesses who could not get
there before December LIST. He was
willing to give the court the names
of said witnesses. As Mr.. Robin
son sat down Guiteau arose and said,
''if your honor please, | desire to
address the court" His manner was
calm and business like. People rose
to their feet all over the room, but
there was no disturbance. He went
on: 81 did not know that my cOun-
sci was ready TO make his speech
this morning. | desire to speak for
myself. | am here on a murderous
charge, and | desire to be heard in
my defense" "This is not the time
to enter upon the Defense said
Judge Cox, quietly; sit is only a
question whether more time is need
ed for preparing the defense" at
is not needed" said Guiteau, "we
are ready to go on with the case
now" Mr.. Robinson smiled at this
and asked Guiteau to sit down. The
prisoner said, "You keep STILL" but
he did sit down, muttering as he
did so, "We are ready TO go ahead
now" Col. CorShill said he saw
no reason why the time should be
extended. Mr.. Robinson made all
affidavit that the sole ground on
which he asked delay was in order
TO get the necessary witnesses and
counsel. He said he was practically
alone in the case and needed some
one. There was developed an evil
dent split between Messrs. Scoville
and Robinson. Mr.. Scoville, ad-
dressing the court, said that Mr..
application was made
his knowledge, which was
strange proceeding, since
he had not even seen the affidavit
nor heard what cousel hoped to get.
For his part he was ready to go on
with the trial. He knew he was in
to go ahead without as
sistance to be able TO proceed.
Even now he hoped to be of some
assistance to Mr.. Robinson, but if he
was 10 go on in this way he (Sco-
ville) should withdraw. Here Gui-
teau jumped 10 his feet and said in
an excited manner: 81 endorse
every word he says, "RObinson came |
into this case without consulting me |
and | don't like the way he talks. | |
order him peremptorily to withdraw
from the case" Mr.. Robinson re-
newed his application. Mr.. Sco-
vile claimed that the near rela-
tives Of the prisoner should at least |
know who was expected to come for |
the defense. Guiteau again inter
"We don't want Robinson,
anyway. This is peremptory and he |
must CO." Mr.. Scoville went on:
''lf we have time enough we could |
get counsel, and plenty without |
money, but if the court is going to