The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-01-10
The Gujteau Trial.


else dawn"
The Guiteau Trial.
WASHINGTON. January 9.-When the
court opened the ninth week OF the Gui-
teau trial this morning the crowd filled
every nook and Granny Of the chilly room,
and the ladies were decidedly in the ma
jority. The prisoner arrived ut the court
house about half-past 3, and was taken to
his waiting-room. He appeared rather
nervous, and his countenance indicated
anxiety. When he had taken his seat in
the dock he glanced around stealthily at
the audience and Immediately began n
harangue evidently intended for the jury.
81 have received" he said, "some eight
hundred letters. A great majority Of them,
when / get time, shall attend to. l want
TO send my greetings to the ladies OF
America and thank them for their sympa-
thy. They don't want me to be hanged.
Public opinion is fast changing. | re-
ceived Saturday check for 81, 900 from
the Stalwarts Of Brooklyn and another for
$500 from the Stalwarts OF New York. j
want the jury to understand how public
opinion is on the case"
4 balIff here tried TO silence him, when
he turned upon him in the most vicious
manner, and snarled out: "You keep
quiet and mind your business. Don't in
teriere with me when I'm talking. II you
had any sense you would understand your
place." With this opening breeze pro-
ceedings in due time were begun, and Mr..
Scoville resumed his argument.
Mr.. Scoville proceeded without Interrupt
ton for an hour, and his remarks were lis
tened to with marked attention. He laid
stress upon the proposition that insane
men often know the difference between
right and wrong, and for that reason con-
ceal their plans and that the benefit OF the
doubt should attach TO the plea OF insanity
when raised with the same force as when
urged in connection with the commission
of crime.
Mr.. Scovile concluded his argument Mt
| ~ O'Clock, and in conclusion desired to
make few remarks OF apersonal character.
Abiding to his controversies with Judge
Porter, he disclaimed any intention OF
transgressng the bounds OF propriety or
rules of practice, but he should critcise the
conduct Of counsel when it merited criti-
cism, and the threats OF the prosecution
would not intimidate him. Citing the GUS
| tom of counsel upon the other side OF bow
| ing to the Jury upon entering, Mr.. ScOyile
said: Sometimes it is three bows all
around; sometimes more; never less than
three. 1t has never been done by counsel
upon this side. and l do not hesitate to
CRITICS the propriety OF it,"
Judge Porter "The gentleman is SIM
ply instancing his lack OF politeness. II he
has no apology to offer | shall certainly not
apologize for him."
4 recess was then taken.
After recess Colonel Corkhill stated that
he had not expected to speak upon lega
points, relying upon the assurance OF the
defence that the question OF jurisdiction
would not be raised but as the last two
PRAYERS Of the defence distinctly made hi
issue he felt it his duty as prosecutor fol
the Government to address the court upon
a question to which he had devoted mucl
careful consideration. He then proceeded tC
read from from printed slip an exhaust
i've argument.
The argument of the District-Attorney
occupied the attention OF the Court for one
hour.
Mr.. Davidge then addressed the Court
upon the general proposition contained II
the prayers. ~ do not deem 1t necessary
he began, "to advert to the question OF
jurisdiction at this time"
GA very wise decision," piped in the
prisoner.
Mr.. Davidge then discussed the
question Of "malice," which he said in il
legal sense meant intentional doing Of q
wrongful act, and not as the defence
seemed to claim. In this respect he though
they had fallen into grave error.
Mr.. Davidge discussed Seridtim thu
prayers OF the defence, and pointed out
their sophistries and inconsistencies. "Tht
object OF the prosecution" he said, sis t
obtain from your Honor plain, clear, anC
direct ruling upon four distinct PROPOSE
tons. The apparent object OF the defenc,
has been to befog all that may be cleal
i'm this case in the vain hope that they
may get TO the jury with uncertainty
attached in some way upon which e
build up plea for acquittal. Why
your Honor, in the course of thirty
years practice | have never seen such ;
PRAYER as this one offered by the defence
Ii has no justification; it has no excuse
We don't want obscrrity in this matter
we want light. We don't mean to let thi
prisoner escape in q cloud; but we wan
from your Honor clear and perspicuOui
ruling, so that the twelve average men sit
ting upon the jury cannot possibly g
astray."
Mr.. Davidge severely handled the eley
enth and twelfth prayers Of the defence
and characterized them as mean attempts
TO cast aspersions upon the experts whc
had testified for the prosecution, and upor
the counsel for the prosecution them
selves.
The prisoner followed theargument will
the closest attention, and INDUCED In fire.
quent and noisy comments.
Mr.. Davidge concluded his argument a
five minutes TO O'Clock.
The court then adjourned until to-mor
row morning.
Judge Porter will make the concluding
argument Immediately upon the opening Of
the court, after which Judge Cox will rem
der his decision.
New YORK, January l0.-Rev. DIR. Johr
Gotten Smith, rector OF the Church OF As
cension In Fifth avenue, died this morning
af tho an ma ~ Gffv.2tv vpara