The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1882-01-12
WASHINGTON.
Guiteau-TriaI-Ar Conn
menced Frequent Inter-
ruptiOns.

WASHINGTON, January 7.-"None
but members of the bar, members of
the press and those who are en-
gagged upon this case will be admit
ted to-day" was the announcement
at the outer doors of the court room
this morning. Every avenue to the
court room was carefully guarded.
Even the police ON duty indicated
the day would be one of unusual
Importance to the progress of the
trial. A number of ladies succeeded
in persuading Marshal Henry that
they were either members of the bar
or press, at least such would be the
natural inference as the seats re-
served for the legal fraternity were
quickly filled with ladies. There
was fair representation of the bar,
though by far a greater part of the
audience was made up from the
gentle sex. The court room was
filled and with probably the best
representative audience since the
opening of the trial, in the point
of standing and intelligence. Mr..
Davidge opened the argument
on the legal points and was
followed with the closest atten-
ton. The jury was told by
the judge that they might be ex-
cused for the day, but they prefer
red to remain and hear the argu-
ment. The prisoner assured his
counsel that he would not ask to
take part in the legal arguments to-
day, but that he should insist upon
making any comments he might
deem necessary to set them right on
either side. AS the argument pro-
crossed, Guiteau pretended to be
reading a letter, but in reality
watched Davidge with closest at
tention. The few Interruptions
which he made were unnOticed
by the counsel, save in the instance
when Guiteau called out:
al did not know the difference be-
tween right and wrong. had no
choice. III would not have done it"
To this, Judge Davidge said "we
will come to that by and by"
The first sensation of day was
caused by the reading of Judge
Davis New York; charge to the
jury in the Coleman murder case.
Judge Porter relieved Judge Da-
vidge and read from a newspaper
slip. Scoville, with some Impa-
thence objected to any more such
dramatic efforts on the part of fudge
Porter, intended. for effect
upon the jury, and i'll
sisted that he porter might
as well read stump speech to the
jury. That he porter knew that it
had no bearing upon the case
"Of course he knew it," shouted
Guiteau, "and, more than that, the
jury decided the case directly
against the charge of the court"
Judge Porter repealed the intima-
ton and insisted that this farce
which had so long been enacted by
the counsel for defense, must now
be stopped, and if not rebuked it
would end otherwise.
Judge Cox ended the dispute by
saving that the matter read was I'M
doubleday authority and its appli-
cability TO this case could be COM
mented upon by the counsel at
the proper time as Mr.. Davidge
resumed, Guiteau again shouted. Il
want to get this right before the
jury. Everyone knows all about
the Coleman jury. 1t gave averdict
against that charge. This prose-
cution knew it we'll" The effect was
electrical when Davidge, in most
deliberate and earnest manner, said;
"Y our honor, this man was for three
weeks held up to US as an imbecile.
Now listen to him. He not only
knows the difference between right
and wrong, but he understands
fully the law of the case. Guiteau-
"Transitory mania; that's my case. l
don't pretend L am insane
now. Pve got as good a head as
you or Porter either; Scoville's a
fool though. repudiate him and
his whole theory of defense; ali
want is two hours before that jury
and | can set things all right" The
scene was a lively one for a few mo-
ments. Judge Cox raped loudly
for order, and soon Guiteau sub
sided, when Davidge continued his
to the end without fur
Their interruption.
Colonel Reed addressed the conrt
in reply to Judge Davidge and con-
fined himself to the consideration of
two questions: First-the defini- |
tons down in the revised statutes of
and manslaughter, under
which, if malice be not proved, he
the crime would be man.
second-the application |
to this case of the question of |
reasonable doubts in connection |
with the plea of insanity. Colonel |
Reed concluded at 2:15 o'clock with |
4 peroration in which figured glow
ing illusions to the latitude of lib
erty and the far reaching impair
tiality of law under our free insti-
LuUions.
Mr.. Scoville, upon being informed |
by the court that the prosecution
was entitled to the opening and
closing speeches, asked an adjourn
nent till morning, which request
vas granted.