Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-01-19
STALWARTS DENOUNCED,
SCOVILLE'S SCATHING ARRAIGN-
MENT.
Grant, COnkIIng and Arthur Oharg-
ed with Responsibility for Gull
Leau,s CrIme-A Sensation in Court
An Important Decision that
Bears on Ihe AssassIn's Fate.

WASHINGTON, January 18.-Mr. scoYille
resumed his argument to-day, taking up
and discussing the statistics Of insane crimi-
nails which had been introduced by the evil
dence for the prosecution, and claimed that
this evidence was OF the greatest benefit to
the defense. Discussing the horrors of
crime as often shown in the acts OF insane
criminals, Mr.. Scoville said there was moth
ing in this act to compare with some OF those
acts Of insane criminals; and, gen
tlemen OF the jury, in my opinion, If there
were not reasons, and powerful ones, back
of this prosecution, this prisoner never
would have been brought to trial But l
tell you, gentlemen OF the jury, back of this
prosecution is an Influence which have
felt and which you may feel, gentlemen,
before this trial is ended. There
are politicians who seek to hide their
own shame behind the disgrace of this
poor prisoner, and make him the scapegoat
for their crime. l did not intend, gentle
men OF the jury, to take up this feature OF
the case, but when / find the power and
influence of this government used against
me in denying me the small pittance that l
have asked fora fair and impartial trial
and the small facilities needed for the
proper defense, l do not propose to keep
quiet. | say such men as Grant and
COnkling and Arlnur are morally and intel
lectually responsible for this crime
COnkling shall not escape, shall not shirk
responsibility for the state of things that
led to this act. He shall not escape
the condemnation of the American
people, II l can help #, for his
share In the disgrsceful scramble for office
that led to the conflict with the chosen ruler
OF this great nation, and led this poor insane
man to compass what they would have
hailed with sstisfaction-as would, pro-
badly, hundreds of other politicians,
II 1t could occur other than
through assassination-the removal of
Garfield, who stood in the way of their un-
righteous and disgraceful struggle for Office.
Neither shall Grant escape that cOndemns-
tiOn to which he is justly subjected, when
coming from Mexico and coming with
undue haste he threw his own name into
petty quarrel about a small Office
in the Republican party and sought to TO
ment the differences that had sprung up.
am not e, ing to see the misdeeds OF these
men high IN power visited upon the head of
this poor insane man, If can helpit. This
clamor for his blood is not for
the purpose of avenging Garfield or
of satisfying justice, but their theory
is this: II it can be shown that this was the
act OF a sane man, then those politicians in
high places will say, of course, we are not
lScpOuSlulC lOt INC dCb VI Il 5dub HAIL. 10
be sure, we had some differences, but then
they could never have led a sane man to do
such an act.
But, on the contrary, gentlemen of the
jury, what is the effect of your verdict, If
YOU acquit him as insane? Why the people
will say, "SOme one is at fault" They will
say, eve will fix the blame upon the heads
and hearts of those men who waged war on
| our poor dead President, until, de-
pniUp0 this insane m
from reading daily in the papers
what Graut says, what COnkling
says, and from constantly thinking on it,
was driven to HIS insane act Of killing the
President" And these men In high places
the really culpable Ones-will go down to
pOsterity with stigma upon their names
and the detestatiOn of their countrymen
fastened upon their memories.
Mr.. ScoVille's denunciation of Conking
and Arthur created profound sensation in
the court room. As soon as the recess was
announced Mr.. Scoville was surrounded by
| ladies and gentlemen and congratulated on
| his fearless exposition. Oae gentleman ex-
claimed, 'ThaJ's the correct sentiment, and
four-ffths of the American people are be-
| hind you on tina" " The recess hour was
marked by several heated discussions in the
corridors and upon the outside on the gen
eral question OF the moral and intellectual
responsibility as set forth by Mr.. Scoville.
During the recess Mr.. Scoville read the
following telegram
NEW YORK, January IS Mr.. Sco0iUe,
attorney for Gu,teaW: The New York
| Court Of Appeals have just decided that the
prosecution, where some evidence Of
insanity is produced for the defense, must
make out case Of sanity beyond reason
| able doubt"
Counsel for defense will call attention to
| this latest decision and ask Judge Cox to
| charge the jury to that effect.
ln resum1ng his argument Mr.. ScOville
| called attention to the fact that the actions
Of the prisoner at the time OF the shooting
| and Immediately afterward were entirely in
! keeping with the theory of insanity, and to
! prove this quoted the testimony of a num-
| Der Of witnesses for the prosecution, who,
| he said, could not be charged with bias or
! favor toward the prisoner.
MIR. Scoville then continued his review Of
| the evidence, and pointed out various Incl
| dents in the prisoners life, which went to
| show insanity or at least lack of some
| thing in his mental composition which other
men possess
Mr.. Scoyille continued to speak until
| three O'Clock, when the court adjourned
until to morrow. The defense will probably
| occupy the greater part of another day.