Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1882-05-22
GUlTEAU'S CASE.
The Decision to be Rendered To-Day
The Question TO be Decided.

WAsHIN )ToN, May 2O-There is but little
doubt that the decision of the court in gen.
eral term will be announced on Monday
next in the case OF Charles J. Guiteau, con-
victed of the murder of President Garfield
and sentenced to be hanged on the 3Oth of
June and it is understood that Judge
James will deliver the opinion OF the court.
The opinion will be very exhaustive one,
especially on the question Of jurisdiction.
II is now conceded that there will be no
dissenting opinion, but il is likely that
each one OF the other judges Chief Justice
Carter and Judges Macarthur and Hasner)
will give his individual views. There was
considerable said in the argument on the
question of jurisdiction and the case OF
Rolla, decided by Judge Crawford in this
district in lS49 was cited, and some mem-
bers of the bar have had the impression
that one of the judges would follow this
case in dissenting. There was, however,
case decided in Maryland few years ago
IN which the question of jurisdiction was
ruled, but il was not cited in this case. In
the Maryland case, cOlored man named
Ben Bell was stabbed by Charles Wallace
on a steamboat near the White House on
the Virginia shore of the Potomac, and be-
ing brought to this city died here. The
Maryland authorities, under requisition,
obtained the custody of the murderer, and
he was taken TO Port Tobacco for trial. The
points were raised on the trial that Mary
land had no jurisdiction, as the fatal blow
was given outside of the Ii mits of the
State. and admitting that the act was
committed within the jurisdiction OF the
State, death having occurred outside the
State, the court had no jurisdiction. The
court Judge Fordl held that the jurisdic-
ton of Maryland extended to high water
mark ON the Virginia side and his act was
within the jurisdiction of the court, and
that if the fatal blow was given in the State
the court had the jurisdiction, although the
death took place elsewhere.
Will the court in banc render its decis-
ion in the Guiteau case Monday
s'Yes, think We will have the opinion
Monday. think there is little reason to
doubt that the decision will sustain the
point that the crime of murder is punisha-
bic when the blow is inflicted. The ques-
tion about the sentence does not amount to
anything. The sentence will not be dis
turbed The prisoner Guiteau, who was
complaining of a pain in the side few
days ago. has entirely recovered, and for
day or two has been in good spirits and he
is now very sanguinc ofa reargument ifnot
a new trial. How he has got this impress
sion is unknown, but most likely he has
argued himself into the belief that his neck
will not be stretched, at least for tina present
asked Mr. Reed to-day what he thought
of Guiteau's prospects. 81 think there is
still a chance for him." was the reply.
Will the decision be rendered on Mon
day?
IL don't know; probably
What do YOU intend to 10 if the decision
is against you?
Il shall not say, but you can rest assured
that l shall do something" Beyond this
Reed refused to talk. He has been acting
in a somewhat mysterious manner for the
past few days and it is intimated that he
has an idea" Such an event would indeed
be refreshing frem Reed ard will be hailed
with delight from the country.