Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-07-15
Not IrrpSnnn.ihly Insane


concerning Guiteau scrime was not in the nature
OF confession by the latter. but was succinct
history of the case partly derived from Guiteau
and partly from other quarters One thing is
shown plainly by the statement. and that is the
ciear-neatied directness with which Guiteau
planned and executed his atrocious crime There
was not an act or movement on his part in that
connection that savored of insanity or ire
sponslbilfy from the date May 18th.
when he determined to murder the
President. His search for the kind of pistol
best adapted for his purpose was careful and
democratic There was nothing whatever in his
manner to give any indication of insanity to the
pistol-dealer; and the person who lent him the
money used in the purchase of the pistol Ger
tainly considered him sane and responsible. On
the same evening that he bought the pistol he
sought retired place at the foot of
18th street and commenced practice to enable
him to carry ont his murlerous purpose.
firing ten shots at board. He then returned to
MS boarding place, wiped the pistol dry and
wrapped it in his coat. and waited for his oppor-
tunity' His watch afterwards upon the move
ments of the President; his study of the oppor-
tunities for shooting him at the Christian Church:
the calm calculation with which he estimated the
at different times. and his avoidance of oppor-
tInities where the aim was not likely to be sure:
the renewal of his practice firing to perfect his
AIM and be certain that his pistol was in order.
On the 18th of June. when the President was
going TO Long Branch: his like precautions be-
fore the shooting on July I'd to prevent the per-
spiration from dampening the powder. &c. all
show cool deliberation from the first to the last.
fhASf
ness or contrast of moods exhibited by person
sufficiently crazy to be irresponsible for his
acts.
Major f0st. editor of the Talty Tugiaiarl. the
most influential republican paper in Virginia. in
an editorial. gives the coalition bosses" solemn
warning that "they cannot transfer the repub-
Ican party OF Virginia over to the readiusters at
their bidding and TO save their official seaips.
They may pack the primaries they may secure
Their subservient tools as delegates TO the con-
vention, but we warn them now that they can
not deliver the republican forces of Virginia into
the keeping Of the democratic party. whether
1t poses in the role of readjuster or bourbon"
THIS Is plain enough for anybody to understand:
but In another sentence Major Yost more dis
tlnctly declares his position in the following
language: Let them (the readjusters)
Dear In mind that they will be forced to encom-
pass Their own ruin in the work they have
undertaken and that under no circumstances
VIII the great mass of the republicans of Viz
GINA tamely submit to the insidious and detes-
table means that have been and may vet be en-
pioyed To destroy the republican party of the
state Again he says: THE necessity has
arisen for very decided action. and that action
with large republican following will be
against coalition under all and any circum-
stances, whether republican ticket shall be
placed in the field or not" After reading this
perhaps the readjuster friends of candidate
Lewis will realize that their recent cards of
denial in THE STAR need not have been writ
ten Major Yost declares for himself that he
will not support coalition. and it is natural that
he should know more about his sentiments
and purposes than candidate Lewis.
The New York Tribune deprecates the cap
tious criticisms in regard to the treatment of the
Presidents case, and says the four surgeons in
attendance 'have probably among them seen
and intelligently examined more gunshot
wounds than any other four men in America-it
would hardly be an exaggeration 10 say In the
world" The Tribune adds: '.They have done
their work with admirable devotion as well as
reserve Their bulletins are models of definite.
accurate and cautious expression. They will
have hereafter nothing to retract or modify
For the first sixty hours their efforts were di-
rected TO eounteraeting the effect of the shock.
which in cases like this is usually fatal; and
that danger escaped, they have met and sue-
cessfuhy overcome each succeeding crisis in the
case, until now they feel justified in emerging
TO some extent from the reserve they have hitb.
erto properly maintained, and in predicting the
ultimate recovery of their ilIustrous patient.
The Tribune undoubtedly gives voice to the SEN
timent of the mass of the American peonle in
this expression of opinion.
After reading the accounts Of the sufferings OF
western communities from the torrid heat. the
people of Washington will feel that they need to
sleep Under blankets. so to speak