The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1882-01-18
A VERY WEAK DEFENSE
scovILLrs akANDMorAERIsH TALK
In B.hGirOr "Total pspra,Il,"-APstullut Con.
plAlDt Against the Prosecution for AAllnE
Strong Cass-Guitsau Thinks thA.
He Stands In No Dauv.rOf Hanging.


Guiteau, who had been looking over to-
ward the jury for some minutes in an
anxious or expectant manner. Hadn't ]
better deliver Il at once2" he called out
"0h, yes" replied Scoville, II had for
gotten" Then turning TO Judge Cox SEQ
vile said: "He desires, Your Honor to
prefer the request that he be allowed to
address the jury. have looked over the
paper which he desires to read, and can
see nothing in 1t Of an Objectionable char
aCter.
Judge Cox nodded assent, and Guitsau
said; | have written down what wish to
say, will read il, 1t Is in regard TO my
speech. He then read with considerable
emphasis. intend no disrespect TO this
honorable Court, ] intend no controversy
with this honorable Court; in general am
satisfied with the law as proposed by Your
Honor, but Ihave suggested still broader
view which ! ask your honor to follow,
to.wit: That II the Jury believe that | be-
lieved 1t was right to remove the President
beCauseI had special Divine authoritysoto to
do, and was forced TO do it by Deity, ,theywill
acquiton the ground Of transitory mania.
Sickles, McFarlane and Hiscock were ac-
quilted on the ground Of transitory mania.
In my speech, published in all the leading
papers yesterday, and which, | presume,
your honor has read, / gave my reasonsfor
asking your honor so to charge. Reed
made u brilliant and lawyer-like plea for
the defense and Scoville is making a
strong argument for his theory, but neither
Reed nor Scoyille represent me in this de-
Tense. am here as my own counsel, and,
as stated at the opening Of the case, no one
can represent me to that jury. know my
feelings and my inspiration in removing
the President, and have set 1t forth to
my satisfaction in my speech published
yesterday, and l ask your honor in the
name OF Justice; in the name OF the Ameri-
can people to allow me TO address this jury
Of my countrYmen when my life may be
ut stake. II man on that jury has a
doubt as to his duty in aequitting me my
speech will probably settle him in my ia.
vor, and in the interest Of justice 1t is ol
the greatest importance that they should
hear me in my defense. Your honor can
decide the matter If you have any doubt as
to your duty"
Scoville began with ageneral complaint Of
alleged unfairness on the part Of the pros.
ecution, particularly the Prosecuting At.
torney. He had from the beginning pre-
scribed who should visit the Jail and who
should not. He had introduced persons
into the cell under false guise TO worm
out his secrets, and when the prisoner said
Anything that might inure to his benefit, the
Prosecuting Attorney had been very care
ful to let it become known. He complained
Of Corkhili's unfairness in destroying the
notes Of Stenographer Bailey 80 that the
defence could not have the benefit OF them.
The conduct Of the prosecution in thecour
room, he alleges, was not only uniairt to the
defence, but was often discourteous and
more fitting for the police court than this.
Scoyille unwittipgly raised smile by
declaring as one count OF his indiCt-
ment that the government has acted
unfairly in putting upon the stand
so many witnesses to prove the act Of the
killing. "Going over and over the hor-
rors Of the seene," said counsel, "and de-
clare that twas shame and disgrace, The
exhibitions made here by the prosecution
were for the purpose of influencing your
feelings and emotions rather than your
judgment"
Corkhill (sarcastically)-We should have
been more polite snd sympathizing to-
ward the prisoner.
SCoville then criticized severely the
course OF the prosecution in refusing to
permit the prisoner to address the Jury for
brief hour or two, simply because they
feared he might disclose by his
manner or speech his true mental
condition in alluding to the discussion on
the proposition to allow the prisoner to
speak, SCoyille quoted the District Attor-
ney as having said that il the prisoner
should be allowed to speak It ought to be
from the dock.
Col. Corkhill-I said nothing OF the
kind. 1protested against his return to the
counsel table, and said it would be dis
grace to have him speak from the dock.
Guiteau called out-Well, have been a
good boy lately, so you had better let me
out,
sOoville then called attention to a letter
written by Guiteau TO the District Attor,
ney, and from which portion had been
clipped, as he claimed, by the prosecution
and in the spirit OF unfairness.
Davidge (smiling)-"0h, just assume that
one ofthe conspirators cut 1t out"
Col. Corkhill-'T suppose what you are
driving at Is that you want the Jury to
think cut q slip out Of that letter.
SCoville-"I believe that It was done by
you or by your direction, for the reason
that you believed it for the interest OF the
prosecution.
$50 do l." shouted Guiteau.
Scoyflte then proceeded to give the Jury
his views upon Judge Porter, and to in.
Etruct them as to how much weight they
should attach TO his Httesaaces, and as 10
the best means OF eounteraeting his in
luenoe. Porter, he said,, was prostituting
his fine attainments in an effort to hang an
insane man.
Immediately after recess, and before
Scoville resumed his speech, Guiteau, with
IN air Of apparent sincerity, announced
that he was in luck; that he had lust
signed his name to q check for S25, 1000 on
the First National Bank Of New York; !;
that he had received another for s., 900 and
another for $3.50 and that he believed
they were all genuine.
Scoville then reviewed the prisoners life,
and said when he left the Oneida Com:
munity he sought out Beecher's church,
the Young Mems Christian Association,
and the society OF Christian people. His
tendencies at this time were not immoral,
nor had he shown any indication oil that
awful with sarcasm) crime OF not paying
his board bills, for which this prosecution
are trying to hang him.
Corkhill-oh, no; II he Is hung at all it
will be for murder, not for owing board
bills.
Guiteau called out-t guess there amt
much chance Of my being hung anyway.
scoville continued up to the hour OF ad-
iournment his review OF the life Of the
prisoner, explaining his acts in the light in
the counsel's (scoville's) theory upon the
case.
Guiteau occasionally commented, but
never seriously disturbed the course Of the
argument.
Scovflle spoke oil the monumental assur.
ance Of the prisoner in naming himself in
connection with Grant, Conkling and Ar.
thur.
q should ay pretty fne quartette,' 2
said the prisoner. Elst-f