Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-10-27
The Politics In the Case.


WHAT Mr.. scovrLLE WANTS TO SNOW AT
oUiTEAU's TRIAL.
From the Washington Post
"Tkere is more of politics in the case
than most people imagine" said Mr..
Scoville, the counsel of Guiieau, to a
Post reporter who asked him for the
latest news last night.
"What have you done toward getting
legal aid 2"
IL am not doing anything in the
matter, but receive letters from all parts
of the country proflering IL. have one
offer from gentleman who has been
prosecuting officer in one OF the South.
ern States for fifteen years. But ! want
some one acquainted with District law
and procedure. The political status OF
my associate is also important"
"How does that enter into the case ~
"Well, | intend that everything con-
nected with the crime shall be devel.
oped, and if should have Stalwart to
help me he might antagonist this course.
II IL is nece=s"-. %. u ~3t hesitate to
bring out the connection of Conkling
vita the inception Of the crime. The
Stalwart scnism was responsible for the
matter, and the blame shall be placed
where it belongs if can secure that
result
"How far have you got in the matter
of obtaining associate counsel p
"The man is selected and is willing
to serve, but there is hitch somewhere.
Other parties, perhaps his client, object
to the assignment, and the court to day
took the whole matter under advise
ment.h
"Who is the man ~
"That / cannot tell you at present,
but he is Democrat. His name was
suggested to me as good man.
Hon. Richard T. Merrick, of the Dis.
trict bar, yesterday made a statement
as to his present and possible future
connection with the trial of Guitean.
lie said that when Mr.. Scoyille request
ed him to take charge OF the case he
declined, owing to the prior claims OF
his professional engagements. In his
interviews with Mr.. Scoville he express
ed his opinion that the Criminal Court
was without jurisdiction TO try Guiteau
on the charge of murder. and added
that If the court should request him,
as an amieus eiTig, to argue that ques-
ton he would do so, but would contine
himself to that question alone. The
Circuit Court Of this District on two
different occasions, and in similar cases,
has decided that it was without juris.
diction. 1t would be less discreditable
to the country, he said. for the people
to have lynched Guiteau than for the
court TO lynch him. The people might
have been excused had they. in the
passion of the first moment OF his crime,
seized him and torn him to pieces but
since the accused has been given over
to the judicial authorities TO be tried. he
is entitled to a fair and impartial trial,
according to law. Mr. Merrick also re.
marked that he could not see how
Judge Cox, as il had been stated he in.
tended to do. could have the question
of Jurisdiction disposed OF before the
trial OF the case commences, for, said
he, 1.-THE prisoner has pleaded not
guilty, as be had a perfect right to do.
and cannot see how the judge Can re-
quire him to change the issue thus
made As TO his connection with the
case, IL would only be in the possible
contingency previously mentioned.
Shortly after Justice Cox came on the
bench. in the Criminal Court yesterday
morning. Mr.. George ScoviIle, who had
been sitting at the attorneys table wait.
ing for the court to open, went up and
presented the court with n copy Of his
brief, which had been gotten up in
pamphlet form. lie sat and conversed
with the Judge for a short time and
then the District Attorney was called
into the interview. After few min.
utes consultation the lawyers departed.
and IL is understood that his Honor
will announce his decision this morning
in regard to the summoning of witness.
es for the defense aud their being paid
by the Government, and also designate
two members of the bar TO assist Mr..