The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1881-11-15
GUITEAU.
The Assassin's Trial
Begun.
HARD AT WORK IMPANELING
THE JURY.
His Counsel Ask for Postpone
ment of the Case.
BUT THE BENCH REFUSES
THE REQUEST.
The Statement Guiteau Wishes to
Make to the Court.
AN EXCITING SCENE DURING THE
PROGRESS OFTHE TRIAL.
AN EXCITING SCENE DURING THE
PROGRESS OFTHE TRIAL.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 14.-At the District
Supreme Court room this morning there was
hardly any excitement outside and no great
pressure to obtain admission. AS soon as the
public door was opened the spectators seats
were Immediately filled, for the most part
with rather roughly dressed set of young
men, including many who would come under
the designation of roughs, tramps and cranks
Half dozen ladies were sandwiched among
the crowd.
District Attorney Corkhill, Messrs. Porter of
New York and Davidge for the prosecution,
and Scoville and Leigh Robinson for the de-
fence, appeared. Mr. Smith was present to
represent the Attorney General. Mrs. SEQ
vile. attired in black, occupied seat close to
her husband, having her brother, John w
Guiteau, on one side of her and on the other
side vacant chair reserved for her other
brother, the prisoner.
Judge Cox entered and the court was de-
clared formally opened. Immediately there
after the prisoner,
GUITEAU, WAS BROUGHT INTO THE COURT
ROOM
by the marshal and his deputies. He looked
in much better condition physically and other
wise than when he last appeared to plead to
the Indictment. Still, he had the same rest
less, furtive expression as of a hunted WOLF
which characterized him before He was at
once relieved of his handouts and took his
seat behind his sister. One of his first move
ments was to thrust his hand into one of his
pockets and half take out rell of paper. Sco-
vile, however, in dumb play ordered him to
put it back again and he did so. Then the
District Attorney rose and declared the readi-
ness of the prosecution to proceed with the
case. Robinson then arose to make his plea
for still more time to prepare for defense,
which appeared not to meet the approval of
Guiteau. All the time that Robinson was
speaking Guiteau was carrying on what APP
peared to be a remonstrance with Scoville,
who was apparently trying to quiet and sup
press him.
Mr.. Robinson said that when he had been
assigned to this case neither of the eminent
counsel now assisting in the prosecution had
been retained by the government at the time
referred to. Also gentleman in Chicago had
been expected to assist in the defence. Shortly
afterward it had been stated that he could not
be able TO be present. The presence of the
able counsel whose services the government
had been able to command, whatever other ad-
vantages it might possess did not make him
(Robinson) feel more
SATISFIED WITH THE CONDITION OF THE DE-
FENCE.
1t would be truly remarkable IL he were not
sensible of the great disparity of force which
had been created by the addition to the prose-
cution few days ago. His honor had been
kind enough to express his regret that he had
not been at liberty to accede TO lis request for
extension of time, and had suggested that he
could assign the defence additional witnesses
AS soon as it had been in his power he had
sought aid of such additional counsel. He
conc luded with further statements and argu-
ments in favor of postponement
GUITEAU ANSWERED ExcITEDLY,
and demanded to be heard in his own defence
Robinson tried to slop him but his client an
grily waived him off, saying "keep still, [ am
trying this case myself He then attempted
to read his speech, but the judge said this was
a. II G-~I- L. =
posed motion for delay. Guiteau was very
restless and during Robinson's temporary abb
sence leaned over to Scoville and bringing his
clinched fists together, said "this sort of thing
has got to stop, only want lawyers for ,echni-
cal points, am managing this thing myself"
and told Robinson he did not want him to make
such speech. Scoville said nothing Gui-
teau subsequently held an excited colloquy
with Robinson Mr., Scoville then rose and
said he was opposed to the motion,
HE DID NOT FAVOR DELAY
and regarded Robinson's course as extraordin-
ary. He had not been consulted and protested
against delay. Guiteau rose excitedly, and
said endorse every word of that. I told
Robinson that if he did not do this thing as 1
wanted it done he could get off the case" As
Robinson was about to rise Guiteau said, II
don't want any more speeches from Robinson
in the matter until he gets authority from me
to talk"
The deputy marshal here seized Guiteau
from behind and forced him into his chair.
Guiteau hastily said
"YoU LET ME- ALONE.
Please mind your business The Judge in
timated that he might be willing to postpone
the case one week, when Guiteau said,
Robinson came into this case without my
knowledge. know nothing about him. I ex-
pect money enough in few days, and can
employ any counsel please | demand that
he retire peremptorily from the case" The
ind finally dapidad hof tho shou
coed at least as far as to empannel the jury
and put in evidence for the government.
Then the question of delay might be consider
ed, but he thought that there would be time
enough as the case proceeded for the defence
to prepare its case. Guiteau continued during
the proceedings to be very restless and con-
stantly attempted to interrupt the court. 81
don't want any more time. don't want
Robinson any more in the case" The officers
again forced Guiteau into his chair, when
Guiteau angrily said to them, you keep still
and mind your own business. am in the
presence of the court 1 propose to talk when
feel like it,. The court ordered the en-
pannelling of the jury to proceed, but before
hand gave his views as to the
QUALIFICATION OF JURORS
He said that in those days of newspapers and
railroads man who knew nothing about the
great public case was not the best juror and
that he should rule that juror otherwise
qualified could act if he could render an inn
partial VerQlcG upon the evidence.
EMPANELLING THE JURY.
Owing to the opposition of Scoville and the
prisoner to the application of Robinson for an
extension of time the court stated that for the
present the case should proceed as far at least
as the swearing of a jury was concerned; that
then he would consider the question of extern
sion.
About II the work of obtaining a jury be-
gan. The three who first presented themsel yes
were disqualified, two on the ground that they
had formed fixed opinions on the case, and the
other on the ground that he had conscientious
scrupes on the subject of capital punishment.
In examining jurors Mr. Scovile went over
large range Of questions, lnquiring as to their
political beliefs, &c. Up to II the defence had
peremptorily challenged one juryman and two
were accepted and sworn in.
At LOS five jurors were obtained and sworn.
Their names and occupations are as follows
John FL. Harlin, restaurant keeper; Fred W.
Brandenberg, cigar maker; Charles G. Stew
art, -four and feed dealer; Henry Bright, re-
tired from business; and Thomas Langley, gro
Ger.
The panel was fastened after five Jurors had
been obtained, and at the suggestion of the
District Attorney an order was issued for the
drawing of seyenty-five additional names from
the box.
WANTS TO MAKE A SPEECH.
The prisoner at this point rose and informed
the Court that he would like to make speech
tomorrow morning, but he was ordered by the
Court to take his seat He then passed the
manuscript of his speech to a newspaper re-
porter, but before the latter could leave the
Court room Mr.. Scoville called him back and
compelled him to return it. This raised the
anger of the prisoner, who excitedly declared
that he was not under the control of his coun-
sell; that he was lawyer and knew the law
himself; that when he wanted help he would
ask for it; and that he desired his speech to be
published for the purpose of influencing public
opinion He was again silenced by the Court
and it having been agreed that sttings should
be frem 10 to 8 daily, allowing half an hour for
recess, the Court, at LOS, adjourned at the con-
clusion of Mr.. Robinson's remarks
aUITEAU THREATENS TO MAKE SPEECH.
To one of the visitors Guiteau said that he
intended to make speech in the Court to-
morrow, and he had carefully prepared 1T in
his cell. He was certain that it was speech
which would impress the Court, and that it
would furnish satisfactory explanation OF
what he still calls ''the removal of Garfield"
The speech was written in ink. on twelve
pages Of letter-pad, in fairly neat, but some
what grabbed hand The paper was not ruled
and the lines were written irregularly across
the pages. Guiteau said, as he fondly turned
over the leaves of his manuscript, that the
speech would take an hour to deliver and that
~ xu;cb cd tho yarcou with whom ha Was talk