Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-04-24
THE GUITEAU CASE.

|
The Appeal Set for a Hearing Tive
| Weeks from TO-day-Pr0ceeStngs in
the Court I'm General Term To-day
Mr.. ScSviiie's Formal Retircmcms
from the Case.
| When the April term OF the Court I'm General
| Term was convened this morning, Chief Justice
Cartier and Judges Cox and James on the bench,
among the lawyers assembled In the bar were Dis.
| trfct Attorney Corkhll and Mr.. Davidge. counsel
| for the government, and Mr. Charles H. Reed.
| counsel for the accused I'm the Guteau case.
| Mr. Corkhill, as soon as the court was assembled
arose and said that In the tie United States
| against Gufteau the bin OF exceptions had been
signed and filed In court, and he desired the court
TO designate as early day as possible for the hear
| ing.
MR. REEp ASKS FOR THREE WEEKS.
| Mr. Reed said he was placed I'm an embarrassed
position; that he had been notified by Mr. S1oviue
that he had withdrawn from the and had so In
| formed the court The accused was substantially
penntless and unable TO employ counsel. lie Cdr
Reed) would not appear I'm the case to-day but for
the fact that the accused was penniless- lie had
no doubt the court would give him reasonable time
TO prepare his argument Because this man was
penniess he certainly should not he left defence
| less The case, moreover, was one OF the most
| celebrated and extraordinary criminal causes on
| record and deserved careful consideration. When
| the case came TO be argued he (Mr. Reed would
not occupy the time OF the court very long with an
| oral argument-not more than two or three hours
but would submit what he LETT unsSid IN brief.
| He asked the court TO set the hearing for three
Judge Cartier asked If the prosecution had any,
| thing to say on the subject
MI CorShll said IL was matter so largely in
| the discretion OF the court that the government
had Nttle TO say They were very anxious that
the hearing should be set at as early day pos
| Sible. Mr.. Reed, he intimated, had certainly
| known three weeks ago that he was 20 be alone In
the case. He thought two weeks was ample
| time.
Mr.. Reed said the district attorney was I'm error
| In saying he had known for three weeks that Mr..
Scovlle vas To Withdraw. IL was not more than
| week since he had known that Mr.. Scoyille
| would retire permanently from the cause. This
| case was very different from one Of an accused
VINO had means TO employ counsel
THE COURT THINKS TWO WEEKS ENOUGH
Judge Cartier said the court wanted TO give this
| case deliberate consideration 1t was true that
the case was an extraordinary one, though the
principles OF law involved I'm it were not very
| novel, He thought the counsel should be able TO
a responsibility in the matter. The case had been
protracted before the public. and ought TO be dis.
posed OF as early compatible with justice. The
| from to-day should be set for the hearing
Wednesday," asked Mr.. Reed.
"No,we will begin the week with II, said Judge
Cartier The court Is in receipt OF the communica-
tion you allude TO, setting forth Mr.. Scovilles
| reasons for retiring from the case.n
MT. Dayldge suggested that the case be peremp-
ant, and he thought that il any case was on hear.
| Ing that day, IT ought to give way TO this
"1he court VIII be ready TO hear tins two
weeks from to-day, said Judge Cartier, firmly.
WHY MR. soovnLEs LETTER WAS NOT READ.
Mr. Reed said that inasmuch as the case was i'm
portant that the five judges OF the court excepting
his honor, Judge Cox,D should sit and hear it.
Judge Cartier said the court would prefer that,
ana II it Is practcable would SO order: He re-
marked that the crowded condition or the courts
might render such action undesirable.
Mr.: Reed said again that he would assure the
court that his oral remarks would be very brief
1 not over two or three hours
The court then proceeded TO other business; but
Mr.. Reed, arising again, remarked that he had re-
ceived note from Mr. Scoville asking him TO read
his letter TO the court In justification or himself
he wanted TO say that he had not seen the letter.
Judge Cartier said that the reason that the court
does not think proper TO read the letter is that
| portion OF the communication is addressed 20 an
argument OF the case. Ii would be unjust TO hear
the argument or make a newspaper parade OF it
before the case is heard. I'VE WON'T publish it."
| furnishes very good reasons why he considers it
his duty TO retire from the case"
| Mr.ScOvfBle's Letter Of Withdrawal from
| the Case.
The letter from Mr. Scoyllle referred to in the
proceedings OF the Court in General Term is
| document covering about twelve pages OF legal
| cap. II was received by Judge Cartier this MORN
ing, and he and his associates considered il before
they made their appearance In the court room.
Mr.. Reed yesterday received a letter from Mr..
| Scoville, who is I'm Chicago, stating that he had
/ withdrawn from the case. He received a supple
|
the long letter from Judge Cartier and read it TO
| the court Mr. Reed saw Judge Cartier but tie
| judge declined to have such disposition made OF
| the letter. subsequently Judge Cartier consented
TO let the reporters have 50 much or the letter
| referred merely to Mr.. 6coville's reasons for
| Withdrawing from the case.
The letter says: ~ desire, IL your honor please,
| ant in case OF the United States agt Charles j.
| Guiteau. In so doing upon the eve OF the argu-
ment OF the appeal, II Is proper that show 10 The
court the grounds OF such action with my con-
vtcton as to the mental inirmities OF the pris-
endured and would suffer Vet longer his ingrsta.
| tude and abuse were able 70 give further time
and service to hts defence. The imperative cause
ruin to my family and myself 20 give further time
to this cause away from home. 1t is a source OF
this stage TO know that the record is complete and
the appellate court can review the proceedings
| and rulings OF the court below with absolute Ger
tainty as to what transpired."
[Here follows the argumentative portion OF the
| letter. which the court deems unwise 70 make
He closes: 81 do not wish TO obtrude my per-
sonai affairs upon the court, but cannot refrain
connection with this case has been the source OF
| untold trouble to me- Guiteau says that he re-
grets that his relatives had not ali died twenty
i've years ago. 1t certainly would have been better
for himself and for the world at least for the late
Garfield and Scovflle portion OF mankind II he
ssThapkfng the court, and especially his honor
Judge Cox for the uniform Kindness and courtesy
| shown me, the foregoing Is respectfully submit
ted, and ask your honor to accept my withdrawal
"GE0. SCovIIIk
"Dated Chicago, April 2sd, 1882"
Mr. REED THINKS HE Is "CRowpED."
Ar. Reed, after the proceeding In the court this
morning. said to STAR reporter: "This looks like
crowdng me. think the action OF the court In
declining to grant my reasonable request for time
win not be approved by the bar OF the country"
The reporter asked why ft was Guiteau seemed
| to have confidence in him? "why, 0uiteau says"
replied Mr.. Reed. "that have never lied TO him,
b i'm. When was In New York recently, lawyers
there advised me TO stick to the case until II was
over and would get commendat1on for ft, what
ever the result so intend TO stick by the casa
"Wfn Guiteau appear In court when the argu-
meuts are hoard3"
sNo: me Iaw does not require 4 lfhe makes
the claim that he Is his own counsel, don't know
what w1n happen. That WIN have % Be decided
hereafter"