The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1882-02-02
THE AGONY over.
Trial OF ChaS. ]. GHitGaI Ended.
THE JURY REMAIN OUT FIFTY
SIX MINUTES AND RENDER
THE VERDICT,
Guilty, as Indicted"
The Assassin's Conduct During
the Closing Hours OF
His Trial.
He Calls Judge Porter a Liar and
n Blood Man.
Judge COx's Charge TO the Jury.
Guilty, as Indicted
He Calls Judge Porter a Liar and
n Blood Man.
Judge Cox's Charge to the Jury.
GUITEAU.
Judge Porter Resumed His Argu-
ment.

GUITEAU.
Judge Porter Resumed His Argu-
menf.
WASHINGTON. Jan. 25.-Judge
Porter resumed his argument and
reviewed the testimony of john w.
Guiteau. The prisoner interrupted
him continually with exclamations,
"that's lie," "you are blood man."
etc. He became so violent and
noisy that twas with the greatest
difficulty that the bailiffs could quiet
him. The Interruptions of the pri-
soner increased in violence and fire.
quency until reinforced by objection
from the counsel. The clamor and
din for moment resembled a small
Babel.
Judge Porter continued his argu-
ment amid continued struggle to
make his voice heard amidst the
clamor and vile abuse of the prison.
er. lie closed at three O'Clock, and
in conclusion said: "He who has
ordained that human life should be
shielded by human law, from human
crime, presides over your delibera-
tions, and the verdict which you
will give to-day will he recorded
where we are to come at the great
day. trust your verdict
will be prompt and will
uphold the majesty of the law,
and reflect credit upon your integ-
rity, and that warning shall reach
all lands that political murder shall
not be permitted 10 avcnge political
wrongs, or settle political disputes.
1 trust that you will so discharge
your duty that by your action, at
least, political assassination shall
not find any sanction to make pre-
cedent hereafter, and [ hope the
time will come when, by interna-
tional agreements, laws shall be so
strengthened that political assas-
sin shall find no refuge OH the face of
the earth. The assassin of Garfield
knew that against the law of God
he was breaking with bloody hands
into the house of life, but he did
not know that over his grave, if the
grave he is to have, would be writ
ten this inscription: "The grave of
the cowardly assassin, the swindler
and the murderer" lie did not
know when Garfield yielded up his
life that the hand that aimed that
pistol against that life wrote the
characters of living light upon
the firmanent as radiant as if every
letter was traced in living stars.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 25.-Judge
Porter concluded his speech late
this afternoon. when it was sug-
gested that court adjourn until to-
morrow. Judge Cox submitted 10
the jury the question rs to whether
they would prefer TO remain and
hear his charge to-day, or wait until
tomorrow. They chose to hear the
charge at once. Judge Cox accord
ingly delivered his charge, and at
4:4O p. IN. the jury retired and came
into court again at $3.50 and ren-
dcred Il verdict of "Guilty, rs i'll
dicted."
The Charge.
Judge Cox then read his charge
to the jury. lie commenced by say
ing that "the constitution provides
that in all criminal prosecutions that
the accused shall enjoy the right OF
a speedy and public trial by an i'm.
partial jury, i'll the state or district
where the crime shall have been
committed; that he shall be i'll
formed of the cause and nature OF
the accusation against him; that he
shall be confronted with witnesses
against him; that he shal
have compulsory process IL
obtain witnesses III his favor, and
that he shall have the assistance Of
counsel in his defense. Those pro-
visions were intended for the pro
lection of innocent persons from i'll
Justice and oppression, and it wai
only by their faithful observancC
that guilt or innocence could bC
fairly ascertained. Every accused
person was presumed to be innOcen
until the accusation was proved
With what difficulty and trouble
the law had been admins
tered in the present case
jurors have been daily
witnesses. 1t was, however
consolation to think tina
not one of those sacred guarantee
of the constitution had been violated
in the person of the accused. A
last the long chapter of proof wa
ended. The task of the advocat
was done, and it now rested with tn
jury to determine the issue betweel
public justice and the prisoner a
the bar. No one could feel NOR
keenly than himself the great re
] sponsibility of his duties
and he felt that b
could only discharge then
by a close adherence to the law a
laid down by its highest authorities
Before proceeding further he wishes
to notice an incident which ha'
J taken place pending the recen
: argument. The prisoner had fire
! quently taken occasion to proclaim
that public opinion was evidence,
by the press and that correspond
ence was in his favor. These dec
larations could not have been pre-
; vented, except by Il pro
cess of gagging the prisoner
! and the suggestion that the jur
/ could be influenced by such lawles
chattering of the prisoner, it woHl
t have seemed to him absurd, and h
| should have felt that he was insult
, ing the intelligence of the jury if h
{ had warned them not to regard tn
: counsel for the prosecution. If h
} had felt 1t necessary, however, i
final argument to interpose contra
diction to such statements, and n
exception had been taken on til
, part of the accused to the form i
which that effort was made, for tn
sole purpose of pnrging the recor
7 of any Objectionable matter, b
7 should simply say that anythin
which had been said on either sid
: in reference to public excitement @
1 to newspaper opinions was not t
4 be regarded by the jury. The il
dictment charged the defendan
with having murdered James A
= Garfield, and il was the duty of th
/. court to explain the nature of tn
crime charged. Murder wss con
mitted where a person {
!. sound memory and discretion III
lawfully killed q reasonable beins
4 with malice afOrethou0ht: il had /