The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1882-05-16
pstIiion OIL behalf Of Gultenu.

-
The following petition is in circulation
IN Boston, and is reported to bc receiving
many signatures:
W. the undersigned citizens OF the
yro;.et siaies md members Of the medical
pnie.sOn, respectfully md urgently petit
Inn IN the name Of psychological science,
hra siay Of execution in the cIse OF Chas.
Guiteau Our petition is based on the
following facts: \, n.
Firt-ror more than 20 years Guiteau
has been hopelessly insane. This is the
concurrent verdict OF our leading authori-
ties ~
SecOnl.-under right management Of
,Ie ease these opinions could have been
formally brought before the court and
would have radically changed the charac-
,er, and probably also the issue OF the trial.
Third. The instincts and the customs Of
all civilized nations are opposed to the
hangins Of the insane. Years since the in-
sanity Of Guileau was recognized by some
oi his relatives, and Efforts were made TO
send him to an asylum rs IN incurable and
dangerous uuatc. We hold that no asy-
lum would have refused admission to Gui.
,eau, and in MI probability none would
have discharged him. f .eo'
II this petition should be granted We
would further petition for disappointment
oia commission OF authorities who did not
testify at the trial to examine into the men
,sl condition Of Gui,eau and report thereof,
as Is done in Germany and France before
the trial OF persons evidencins insanity.
II this course had been pursued in the
Guiteau case the country would have been
spared the disgrace OF protracted trial OF
i luuatic. 5E 4
This only shows TINT there are people in
the world who are opposed to hanging an
eccentric man. Guitcau exhibited eccen.
tricity rather than insanity on his trial.
lie has Remarkably acute mind coupled
With moral insensibility-an organization
frequently met with-and, in addition, he
has the most stupendous conccit and ego.
.ism lie is capable not only OF cousecu.
tive train Of thought but OF detecting with
alertuess the weak or strong point OF al, mr.
yument, The iact that he was not put in
an asylum atany time Of his career, and that
he wrote books, delivered lectures and made
speeches, and successfully dcad.beated
As Tarialiie, are TT variance with the plea
OF insanity now raised III his behalf. He
was examined by numerous experts in
insanity on the trial, and adjudged respon'
sible by their overwhelming testimony. In
the face Of their verdict, what confidence
wlllthe public feel in new and ditieren
verdict Of other so.called experts. Tht
movement looks like a morbid repug
nance TO capital punishment without
much reference to the question Of re
sponslbIity. All murderers arc. NOR
or less insane. and il this plea il
to to be carried out in all its fine spun mi
nuteuess, us some people think it ought tc
to be, capital punishment will be wholly
abolished. The man is morally dcpraved
and to TINT extent he is insane. But wha
Is to be done with all such men, who ar'
roaming about out side Of asylums, whel
they commi, crime? Are we then for the
first time 10 take cognizauce Of their insan
ity and give them the benefit Off and pas
on to The next man who may commit
similar crime and raise similar plea, see
Ing that it is II means Of escape from pun
!shmen,? ~ 2