Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-01-16
cuIteau Says That He Shall APP
peal to the American People.
Reed Makes His Argument for the
Defence.
WAsHIxGIox, Jan. IA.

soon a. he had taken his seat, he opened the
days proceedings with the following speech
Il received thirty checks yesterday, repres-
enting about sI5, 600. Some Of them, l sup
pose, are worthless, and many, no doubt,
good. don't want any one to send me
worthless check. do my ow m banking business
and my checks should be made out to my
order. Any one who desires to send me
money can do 20, but don't want any worth
less checks"
Mr.. Reed took a position in front of the
jury, awaiting the signal from the court to
begin the opening for the defence.
Scoville addressed the court stating that
he desired to know whether the prisoner
would be allowed to speak in his own de-
fence. II the court proposed to accord him
that privilege, both he, Scoville, and his as
sociate, Reed, would prefer that he should
speak first.
Guiteau-I want TO be heard on that ques-
ton, your honor, want to close the argu-
ment for the defence. l wouldn't trust my
cBse in the hands of the best lawyer in
America.
Judge Cox-I should be 10th in a capital
case to deny any man a proper opportunity
to he heard, even if he is represented by
counsel; but in this case it is safe to answer
that the prisoner will abuse the privilege, as
he has done all through the trial, and that
what he would say would be highly improper
to go before the jury. I shall therefore deny
him the privilege, las l said yesterday how
ever, if his counsel desire to read from his
manuscript anything which they deem proper
to be laid before the jury, they can do so.
Guiteau protested that he appeared as his
own counsel, and elaine the right, as an
American citizen, to be heard in his own de-
,t.t I'D, H.
moved, he shouted: Let the record show
that appear here as my own counsel, and
that take exceptions to your ruling, Judge
Cox. shall appeal to the American people.
They will override you, and you will go
down to future ages with a black stain upon
your name.
Judge Cox made no reply to the TRADE, but
simply nodded to MIR. Reed to begin his
argument.
Reed then addressed the jury on behalf of
the prisoner. He commenced by paying a
compliment to the jury for the seriousness.
solemnity and care which had characterized
it during the long trial-a trial unparalleled
in the history of criminal Jurisprudence. He
should not endeavor to make any statement
of the evidence or to draw q gilded picture
of any scene, but he would simply talk with
them as between neighbors. Mr.. Davidge.
COuustl Tic BTOsctutlOH, uAu OCCupleu Two
days in addressing the jury, and that effort
and consumption of time on his part showed
that grave apprehension was felt by the pros
ecution, lest something might have appeared
in the case which would make the jury SAY
that the poor man was a lunatic and IT.
responsible.
The prisoner has certainly sustained his
record of impartialty in abusing and con-
tradicting everyone who has had anything to
say upon the case, from Judge Cox, on the
bench to the humblest witness on the stand.
Before Reed had been speaking half hour,
the prisoner began to comment and contra
diet, contrasting the mercy of the Saviour
toward those afflicted with devils insane, with
the demands of the prosecution in this case.
Reed said-They say hang him.
Guiteau-And the American people say,
let him go. The American people are on
my side. Mr.. Reed, now go on with your
speech.
allude to the evidence of j. w. Guteau,
when the prisoner again interrupted and
called out.
Well, he amt any reference. I've got
better men than he is for my reference.
Reed commented upon the incident related
by several witnesses, when Guiteau struck
his father at the supper table, and Guteau
called out vehemently: That wasn't true. I
never struck him, and never intended to strike
him. l don't fight any one. am peace
able man. If l don't like people / tell
them so, and tell them to get out of the way,
and that settles them.
This act, continued the speaker, was the
first indication of his insanity. He denies it !;
probably he don't remember it.
Guiteau sneering-Thst is owing to nv
poor, weak mind and disordered intellect.
Mr.. Reed continued-Mr. Davidge conde.
scended to read yesterday a portion of the
evidence in relation to this incident, to show,
as he claimed, the depravity of the prisoner,
and Judge Porter kindly suggested to him
that Guiteau struck his father in the back.
The full record says, on the neck or on the
shoulder.
Mr.. Davidge, laughing, don't 60 back on
the witness.
Reed am reading from the record, sir.
1t says
Guiteau, with an air of satisfaction at his
superior discernment-Why, that was in.
tended for pun. but you don't seem TO see
it. l don't know as that should be wondered
At, for it would require a microscope for an
ordinary mortal to see it.
Recess.
After recess, Reed continued his argument
reaulnG Two letters written by Guiteau at the
time he left the Oneida community, and con-
tended that no man could read those letters
and not reach the conviction that the writer
was of unsound mind. The evidence was
not manufactured for the occasion. il was on
the record years ago. Many of the experts
for the government who had watched the
prisoner closely for weeks, swore here that
they did not think the prisoner BY his looks
or by his actions here in this court room.
has endeavored to feign insanity. This, said
Reed, is point vital this case, and ask YOU.
gentlemen, if a half dozen of these experts
swear that he is playing a part here, and A.
many more swear to the contrary, and all of
them witnesses for the government; il. I
say. these experts disagree 90 positively upon
this point. how much weight can you attach
to their opinion,' and upon his sanity it does
not require an expert to pronounce him in
sane.
Mr.. Reed contradiction have seen him
day after day shutting in before you. You
have seen that strange, unnatural look of the
eyes, and it requires the opinion of no expert
to convince you that this Is nos the appear
ance Of q sane man.
Continuing in this strain the speaker said
in my opinion. if this poor creature is sent
to an insane asylum, he will become perfect
idiot within six monks.
Guiteau had been quietly listening With h;s
elbows upon the rail Of the dock, and chin
upon his hands. His hack hein0 &uvua4 d,