The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1882-01-21

longer upon the facts. l viii close with
few general observations" Scoville then
went on to say that laws are framed for
the punishment of sane and not insane
people. When man has overstepped the
boundary line of insanity and has com
mitted a crime, he should not be punished
as should sane man. II you find reason
able doubt, as the law mercifully declares,
of his insanity. you viii give him the bene-
fit of it. The object of human punish
ment if not for revenge
sCovILLE
discussed at some length the demoralizing
influence of the scaffold, and expressed the
opinion that crimes will be diminished by
the abolition of capital punishment. he
then proceeded to anticipate the argument
of Judge Porter, and to point out to the
jury the fallacy of the arguments which
he predicted, Judge Porter would advance
to support the theory of the prosecution,
and to secure the hanging Of Guiteau-
In conclusion he said: 1T has often
been said that our jury trials are farce,
it said that the jury system ought to be
abolished, because the jury make a mis-
take, because they are Influenced by the
eloquence of the advocates, because they
are influenced not by justice, not by the
evidence, but by the last address. But,
gentlemen, thank Ged that there was
time when my English ancestors stood up
| against wrong and injustice. and
wrested from the despot the right OF
trial by jury. and have never yet seen the
abolished I feel more secure and more
safe in this mode of the administration OF
| Justice than in any other, so long as Jurors
are honest 1t does not require that you
should have read Kent or Blackstone. 1t
requires that you should have honest hearts
and clear heads, and absve all that you
should be fearless to find for right regard
less of what may come, regardless OF wheth-
er your fellow men may approve it or not
This is what I shall expect of you gentle
men, and believe that you will do it.
leave the case with you, gentlemen, thank
ing you for your kind attention"
!, Reed-'EI shall want about two hours
your Honor. speak rapidly"
Corkhill stated on behalf of the prosecu
ton he would withdraw all objections te
Guiteau's addressing the jury. That thli
trial had been long and expensive and hs
did not desire to give any opportunity fol
objections upon which to form demand
for a new trial.
Reed with some vehemence( maintained
the District Attorney had no right to at
tempt to influence the jury by such i'm
+ putation as he had just made.
Guiteau-'I appreciate this unexpected
courtesy of Corkhill's, and ] don't who'll.
agree with Reed, your Honor"
Judge Cox stated he had decided to ALLOW
u the prisoner to speak.
q Davidge, who had just come in, inquired
i 'Is the prisoner to speak, your honor !
/ so, would like to enquire how niue
e time he will employ"
q Guiteau-eI shall deliver to the jury m
g speech which has been published in all th
newspapers.
Davidge-'I have not seen it.
h Guiteau-"Well. then, would advis
u you to get it at once.
AS Guiteau was not prepared to spea
to-day the court adjourned till tomorrow
Davidge stated that Judge Porter IS
of quite feeble health, and probably will |
re unable to speak before Monday. 1t
=, probable, therefore, the court VIII aoJou
at noon Tomorrow.
u ASSAULTS 4 BAILIFF
AS Guiteau was being taken out OF
court room at recess to-day, he stopped