Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1881-11-24
THE GUITEAU CASE.
OPENING or THE TESTIMONY FOR
THE DEFENCE.
1ha Assassin Making Continual Interrupt
tons, Which are Greeted With
Laughter and AppIause-How He
AmIses the Audience and
Abuses Scoyie.
THE COURT AOJOURNS TILL FRIDAY.


tendance at the Criminal Court this
morning was sensibly diminished on
account OF the rain storm. While Gull
teau was taking his second breakfast al
the City Hall, he expressed dissatisiGc.
ton at tir release OF Jones on bail.
When CO Irt opened, Scov.lle made a
formal request Tor the papers taken from
Guiteau at the time OF his arrest, stating
that they were material evidence ior the
defense, and since the prosecution had
not need them, he could see no rea,
son why they should be withheld. The
District Attorney offered to furnish
copies OF the papers, but Scoville
Insisted Upon His Rights
in the matter, and asked Tor the origi-
nails Pending the discussion, Guiteau
assisted upon being heard, and said, 81
can throw light upon this. At the time
OF my arrest | had forty or fifty edito'
rial slips showing the political situation
in MAY and June last. These slips show
the action, and one of the forces that
lmpelled me on to The President They
are very important, as showing the first
oi the whole matter. There were forty
or iiity sips denouncing President Gar
field. II was by living on such ideas AS
these that was finally impeled on the
President with my inspirations.
Col. Corkhill Interposad again, saying:
"lf it will enable you to get through TO-
dav. | will send for them at once"
Daring the mOmentarily lull i'll the
proceedings, Guiteau desired to make a
personal explanation, saying he had
used the expression yesterday that Ju-
lius was too suggestive Of the negro race,
and ior that reason he had dropped 1t
from his name.
His Prejudice
was begotten twenty years ago. He
meant no disrespect 10 any person or
anylace. particularly not to the coIored
race, TOR they were more highly thought
OF tuan the white race nowadays.
i'covile continued, by reading
Gnitea's letters. Scoville read letter
written by Guiteau to his father, in
which he spoke OF having gotten into
some trouble, and in which he asked fo-
money.
Ou,,rau explained the letter saying:
"One Of my clients, a miserable little
whelp. had me arrested on account Of a
,i.tle difference OF twenty dollars be-
tween ". AS soon as the District At
torney's attention was called to the mat
ter was released. | never ought to
nave been arrested, but it got into the
papers and it did me good deal OF
harm. | rad been on theology bust
rcss some time, and, as usual was short
of money. That's all there was in
that" AS the reading OF the letter WAS
concluded, Guiteau again interrupted,
saying;
"INever Got Much
from nv father. He got down on me
because left the Oneida Community.
We could never, after that, agree on
that miserable, sinking community
business. Pm mad every time | think
oi il. 1t kept me out OF the fellowship
oi my father up to the time OF his
DEATH"
Scovile resuming, alluded to Gui-
teau's career as a politician, and drew
the conclusion that his intellect was de-
ticicnt. This view aroused the prisoner
at once, and he began a series OF inter
ruptions, protesting against ScoVllIe's
conclusions as false. When reference
was made to his running around from
on4 committee room to another, seeking
to be employed as campaign speaker,
and his failure to obtain recognition,
Guiteau shouted angrily: "Twasn't be-
cause had no ability, but | was not
known. had ideas but not reputation.
They wanted biz guns like Grant and
Senator COnkling-men who would
draw" Then in direct contradiction
to his counsePs declaration to the Jury,
Yesterday, that Gulteau was man who
never made Il joke in his life. He looked
up with an amused smile, and added:
Presume I'd Draw Now.
This provoked general laughter, which
was promptly suppressed by the Judge,
who struggled to disguise q smile upon
his own features.
Scovi!e continued upon the same
line and criticised Guiteau's speech en-.
titled "Galfeld vs. Hancock" 1t was,
he said. mere tumble OF ideas collated
from newspapers and from speeches OF
others. no one but crazy man would
have imagined, as Guiteau did, that this
speech possessed any merit.
Guiteau became more and more
restless, and, in the most excited man
uer yet shown by him, shouted TO sco.
vile:
81 object TO your theory on that
score, and when you try to make cut
I'm Fool
I'm down on you. ] want you to tell
the truth, but YOU needn't try to make
sle out a fool. say Deity inspired my
act, and he will take care OF it. | want
tn, truth and that's all there is about
it."
Colonel Corkhill rose to protest
against the Interruptions OF the prisoner,
when Guteau waved his hand to him
and said;
at is not necessary to make any re-
marks, Colonel. Just let the matter
drop"
Scovlle was willing to agree to any
measures the District Attorney might
suggest to restrain the prisoner.
Davidge desired to suggest way to
prevent these outbreaks. He attributed
them entirely to Scoville's course in
commenting upon the evidence already
submitted, and his attempt TO argue
from it mental intirmity on the part OF
the prisoner. Guiteau listened
closely. and striking his clenched
hand on the table exclaimed, 81 agree
with that, all through, and desire to
thank the prosecution, every one OF
them, for the liberal spirit they have
shown. think COlone. Corkhill made
a fine opening. There was no littleness
al all in his speech, and | commend him
for it - He then promised the Court
he would keep quiet.
Scovl!e concluded his opening with
out further interruption or incident.
At the request Of the District Attorney
the witnesses for the defence were ex-
cluded from the court room, with the
exception OF Mrs. Scoville. the prosecu.
ton, at the request OF Mr. Scovile,
making an exception in her case.
The First Witness
for the defence, II. n. Burton, was then
examined. He testified that he did not
think the prisoner so deranged az 10 be
irresponsible; thought him not darang-
ed but very badly arranged. No cross.