The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1882-01-14
THE ASSASSlN'S TRIAL.
Interesting Sketches of the Judge the Jury
the Criminal. and His Relatives.
WAsHINGToN. Jan. ). 1882.

From the Baltimore Times.
4 strange tale comes floating down the
surface of the centuries. Its strange
points assimilate with those associated
with the unique criminal trial OF to day.
During the period that the Roman inqui
sition was at the zenith of its power. a
Catholic priest invented an instrument
of torture. 1t was in the shape of an
iron room. long and narrow. and with
seven small windows looking toward the
rising sun. BY means of n"i>elrss ma,
| chinerv the space contracted So that the
wretched prisoner would see by the first
light of dawn that window had diSap
peared. The torture of the internal ma
chine could be heightened or shortened
| according to the mercy Of the execu-
toner. But on the last day. or rather
night the iron bedStead would assume
| the form of box and as the sun APP
peared in the cast the mutflrd tones of a
| bell would fall on the ear of the doomed,
whilst the lid would fall, and after the
|
of screws if insensibility had not previ-
ously interviewed. To prevent the exist
ence of this instrument being known. the
| Doge of Venice seized its unfortunate
| inventor. put him into the machine. that
every thing connected with it should be
destroyed. even to the inventor. Just as
| tho b,,l tal 81
of torture and destruction. Gniteau has
woven web from which there is no
escape.
The mercy of weakness which Judge
| Cox is accused of exercising toward the
| prisoner is the same sort of kindness
| which the eXecutioner had for the Catho-
| lie priest. The windows of the iron cage
are little longer in disappearing. A
thoughtful spectator watching the coun-
tenance of Judge Cox will see that lie
| carries all the weight of responsibility
! which goes with the judicial ermine
Cool. calm. intlexible. he seems to real
| ze that his course in this celebrated case
W III Dt put Oll ltGbltl ~ SJdtItl as HbilG dS
the archives of the Republic. No oppor-
| tunitv has been given for the defense to
obtain new trial: no chance for i'll timed
sympathy to accuse him of want Of elem
ency or Withholding that which is de-
creed the humblest citizen on trial for
his life. In this most trying position in
* h ol, q f.,r,11 1,n y,1.,,nl 1pl,,. y,
has filled all the requirements Of the case
in a manner which unbiased, unpreju-
diced posterity will applaud.
Coming to the jury, taken altogether.
a clearer headed set Of men could not be
found. If the writer was on trial for her
life, and allowed the privilege to select a
jury. a large proportion of those now
serving would be chosen for this painful
and thankless duty. One Of the jury
men has had honors paid him accorded
only to the most distinguished men of
the world. He has been met at the
threshold of the winter palace of the
CZaro of Russia, the great Nicholas stand
lHs, Will ii silver SdlNtl III one HAUL. upon
which was placed corn bread, and golden
chair in the other. the seat OF which was
followed out 70 hold salt. He has sat at
the same table with the Emperor. amidst
all the splendor and pomp of the Russian
court. This gentleman (Mr IIcinine)
was engineer of the mentor that carried
Assistant Secretary Fox, of the Navy.
when he went to take President LincoinS
dispatches to the crowned heads OF Eu-
rope during the late war. AS the motive
power of this wonderful war craft he
received as much attention. and in one
sense more, than Mr.. Fox. for the Gar.
like his ancestor, Peter the Great, had
unbounded respect for the science of
mechanics. During the lifetime of the
monitors only the highest talent was en-
played to manage their machinery. Cool
and brave must be the men who went to
not choose such .iuryman? And vet
fate or accident has determined this man
should be one to bring his strength of
mind to decide in the matter of the assa.-
sin S responsibility. 1t would make this
article too long to make sketches of the
difference jurymen, buc all enjoy the re-
Spect of those who know them best, so
far AS the writer has been able to ascer-
tain. Few men, whether their crimes
have been heavy or light, have been so
fortunate as the assassin. No mortal
hand was extended to help Guiteau in
the selection of jury. To the credit of
all the citizens Of the District not a man
was chosen tina: did not bewail his fate
and hope that something would prevent
his selection. 1t was claimed at the time
that no jury could be inpanneled be-
cause all had expressed opinions as to
the guilt of the prisoner; but whether
the assassin was insane or otherwise
placed the trial in different light. and
only the repulsioh remained in the minds
of the people Of the capital.
1t is cruel SANDER on the women of the
District when it is claimed it is 1.-The
same old set of theater goers that have
gone to the Guiteau trial every day. \
very few faces. less than dozen, have
been daily attendants. but these are the
suspected adventuresses who Gene to
Washington in advance of Congressman
to get the winter nests well warmed
They stop at the leading hotels, where
they behave with that becoming mo,iesty
that secures them from moleStation-
When the real work of the Congressional
season begins they fit to the different
"boudoirs y in some OF the most respect.
able quarters Of the city where carriages
going and coming attract not the sligl'
est notice. These women wear "seI
skin aud have all the attractive airs nf
"oiiicial life Excitement they must
have and the Guiteau trial is an excel
lent preliminary to the winter festivities.
1t is this class of female adventureS>eS
who dog the footsteps of virtu"us Con
even have the cheek to attend private
receptions unlimited. and claim tie he on
intimate terms with those who compose
our most refined circles of official SO,
Getty When these women are excepted
it will he found that the surging crowd
that fills the court rom is composed of
strangers visiting the national capital.
Our ladies had desire to look once upon
man who conld murder a President.