Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-02-06
he is to be Hanged by the Neck
Until Dead, on June 30th.
The Terrified Assassin Makes
avioIent Hsrangue.
The Remarks of Judge Cox.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 4.

AT nEe minutes past ten. Judge COX en-
tered the court room, and the court was form
ally opened The prisoner took his place in
in the dock. Scoville stated that he wished
TO say that since tine adjournment of court. he
had been informed that Curtis, who had made
the affidavit relative to the Critic matter was
not the bailifi in charge Of the room at the
time the paper was found that he hal been
substituted for the man Steiner, who wa. in
charge at the time the paper was found and
who was Withdrawn by the prosecution.
This man, said Seville, | am told, knew
about the paper, and can in ten minutes
summon as witness, party who will say
that Steiner was heard to remark that if that
matter of the Critic became known he.
Steiner, would have to jump the town.
Corkhil objected to the evident attempt to
postpone the consideration of the motion. If
every Bit of hearsay gossip was to be dragged
in here. there would never be anv end to the
question.
Scoville replied, that he did not ask for
po.tponement. He simply desired to call the
attention of the court to the information he
had received as showing how important it
was to investigate these matters with the clos
est scrutiny.
Judge Cox Immediately begun to read from
the manuscript his decision upon the notion
TtdulHS lUti dutHoTltlts DtdTlTg upon
the case.
Judge Cox discussed at some length the
circumstance attending the finding of the
newspaper in the room of one of the bailiffs
of the jury in this case. First. as to the
handwriting, there are several circumstances
that make it improbable. At least two names
upon the margin of the paper were written
by the gentlemen themselves. Second, it, as
suggested, the paper was lying on the table
in the bailiffs room, and the gentlemen of
the jury, in writing in the albums, first used
their pens upon the margin, it would amount
to nothing in the face of the sworn affidavts
of every member of the Jury that they did not
see or read paper at any time during the
trial
No one could swear to the fact that the
jury did write upon the paper, while they all
swear that they did not. and there is no rea-
son to doubt their veracity.
So far as the discovery of new evidence is
concerned, the evidence to be introduced is
as to the prisoners manner and appearance
prior to the assassination. If there had been
no evidence introduced upon this subject,
there might be some force in the request but
a dozen or more witnesses testified ON trial
as to the manner and appearance, covering
the period of time from March until the act
was committed, The evidence now sought
to be introduced would be merely cumulative,
and would not effect the verdict
As to the expert witness whose admissions
after the trial are alleged to have been diff
ferent from his evidence given upon the trial.
Judge Cox said, unsworn admissions of this
character could never he considered az a
ground for overturhing verdict that may
been obtained through the evidence of the
verv witness, who, from corrupt motives
might seek to reverse verdict.
From all the papers presented. Judge Cox
summed up: am unable to find anv rea-
son to grant the motion, which is therefore
overruled.
Scoville-I would like to note an excep-
ton to the ruling of the court.
Scoville then filed his motion in arrest of
judgment.
Judge Cox then informed Scovile of the
rules of practice applicable to the filling of
his exceptions and after this matter had been
arranged Corkhil said 1t is now my duty to
ask for the sentence of the court.
Judge Cox, to the pris0ner-Stand up. Have
you anything to say why sentence should not
now be passed upon you?
Guiteau, still sitting,-I ask your honor to
postpone the sentence as long as possible.
Judge Cox-Stand up. Have you any
thing to say why sentence should not now be
pronounced upon youI
THE AssAssIN's HARANGUE.
The prisoner then arose pale, but with lips
compressed, and desperate determination
stamped upon his features. In low and de-
liberate tone he began, but soon his manner
became wild and violent. and pounding upon
the table he delivered himself of the follow
ing harangue
I mo- ,yu,If,- 49, ba H.,
the indictment. II was Gods act, not mine
and God will take care of it, and don't let
the American people forget it. He will take
care of it, and every officer of this govern
ment, from the executive down to the mar
shall, taking in every man on that jury, and
every member of this bench, will paw for it.
and the American nation will roll in blood if
my body goes into the ground and am hung.
The jews put the despised Galilean into the
grave. For the time they triumphed, but by
the destruction of Jerusalem, forty wears
afterwards, Almighty God got even with
them. | am not afraid of DEATH | am here
as Gods man. Kill me tomorrow if you want.
am Gods man. and have been from the
start.
THE SENTENCE.
Judge Cox then proceeded to pass sentence,
addressing the prisoner as follows: You
have been convicted of a crime so terrible in
its circumstances and SD far reaching in its
results. that it has drawn upon YOU the hor
ror of the whole world, and the exerration
of your countrymen. The excitement pro-
duced by such an offence made il no
easy task to secure for you a fair and impar
tisl trial. but you have had the power of the
United States Treasury and of the govern
ment IN your service to protect your person
from violence, and to procure evidence from
all parts of the county.
You have had as fair and impartial iurv
as ever assembled in a court of justice. You
have been defended by counsel with zeal and
devotion that merits the highest econium.
and certainly have done nv best to secure
fair presentation of your defence. Not
outstanding all this you have been found
guilty. II would have been a comfort to
many people if the verdict of the
jury had established that your act was
that OF an irresponsible man. 1t would have
left the people the satisfying belief that the
crime of political assassination was something
entirely foreign to the institutions and civil.
zstion of our country.
But the result has denied them that COM
fort The country will accept it as a fact
that that crime can be committed and the
court will have to seal it with the highest
penalty known to the criminal code. to serve
as an example to others. !