The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1882-01-13

Ia the Great Triat-A Masterl! Effort on geha
. Of the Prosecution -Gultsau Does Net
Relish the COuussFS PletarS Of his
CrlRs-A Thrsatsasd InHIstIOn.
). WASHINGTON, January 19.-As soon q
Court was called to order Davidge took
position in front Of the Jury, and opene'
the argument by disclaiming any intention
TO make set speech, but expressed
simple desire to rendertbe jury what ali
he could in their present solemn duty
The time had now come in this trial wheI
tho jury were TO become factors. Whatever
disorder or leyity might have characterized
the trial there was but one sentiment Il
respect to the conduct Of the jury. AL
commended their dignifed department
and close and patient attention to the evi
dence, and he had no donbt that, rs theS
had received the commendation Of all in
the past, they would continue to deserve Il
in the future by their decision OF The ease
before them.
AS Mr.. Davidge traced the process Of
reasoning by which the prisoner gradually
reached the conviction that but one life in.
terposed between himself and possibly
great benefits, Gniteau became restless, and
for the first time since the opening OF the
Court indicated by his nervous twisting
about the usual preiiminnries to series oi
Interruptions which in this instance quickly
followed.
"Not often" said Mr.. Davidge, in the
record OF heiRous crimes, do we have such
plain and pointed evidence as to the first
conception OF crime. In this case the sug.
gestion came to the wretch in the night, a
he was lying in his bed"
It came 10 me when the Lord God was
ready to have it" snarled the prisoner.
Mr.. Davidge continued: "This thought
or suggestion came to him on the 18th Of
May. Still thinking that he might obtain
the office he sought, he kept his hands
clean. He made another effort on the 2Sth
Of May TO induce the President"
Guiteau called out from the dock: az
would not have taken foreign mission
after the LIST OF June il it had been offered
me-"
Mr.. Davidgo apparently not needing
him)-" On the 2Sth OF May"
Gniiean-"1 am talking about the 1st o.
June"
listen to him
Guiteou (sneeringty)-"They would lis,
ten to you, but your talk is so weak it's
hardly worth listening to-"
For several moments Guiteau continued
to interject his comments with the evident
intention OF annoying Bfr. Davidgc, but
finding he could not effect this he gradually
subsidized into complete silence.
In the beginning, said Dayidge, it was
sought to show that the prisoner was of
his balance. Now, the court tells you 10
look for that degree Of insanity that disables
man from knowing that what he was do
ing was wrong. This is the test you are to
apply. Upon the question Of inspiration
think l will be able to show to your satis-
faction how little there is in this claim.
The emily question, he said, was that oi
insanity. Hethen argued that the prisoner
had that degree OF intelligence, legal knowl.
edge and moral sense which rendered him
responsible for his acts. In a telling pas.
sage he showed that the prisoner himself
had the wit to see the fatal weakness Of
Seoville's line OF defense, and repadiated
it, arguing in his own behalf that he WIS
no imbecite, but u sane man, whose intel.
!ect and will had been dominated during
specified periods OF time, rendering him
irresponsible for this particular crime. Hi
| hn f,tH Nlkn sNf
crime and the victim and the criminal.
graphic aud effective. "If, he exclaimed,
II were TO sum up the moral and intellec.
tual qualities of this man, should say that
he had the during OF vulture combined
with the heart Of wolf" In speaking oI
Gniteau $ plan, he remarked upon his
greater fear OF mob than the law, and ex.
claimed: 1--WE must say to our shame that
this estimate has foundation" 1t rested
he added, with the Jury to show whether
Guiteau's opinion was well founded.
II he had fears ot the law rs he feared
the mob our martred head and chief would
be alive to-day. AT this point recess was
taken.
When the court reassembled Dayidpe
took up in order the case OF each member
ot the GuiteGu iaAlily, upon whose mental
condition evidence has been offered
and recited in connection with the counte,
evidence OF the prosecution, summing ur
the force Of this evidence with remarkable
but unanswerable testimony OF experts
settles the question us to how much eiEecI
this collateral insanity could have upon tht
mental condition Of the prisoner. It is but
the Herest m0GkeFy to discuss this question
in view Of the undoubted ability Of this
man to distinguish between right anG
wrong. Guiteau interrupted once anC
shouted: II have always been christian
man. and for six years have been strictl,
yirtuous, Don't you forget that, either.
DaVidge continued: There is not siHglt
fact or single iot or title to show that thil
prisoner was not perfectly responsible fo
his act on the I'd Of July.
The Jury will find that the defense llav,
carefully picked out and held up to view
everything in the entire career ofthis man
which may be considered peculiar; and !
Is for you to consider how much value cal
be attached TO this evidence when yor
come to consider whether this man did no
know on the second Of July that it wa
wrong for him to kill the Chief AIagistrat,
Of the Nation. Mr.. DAvidge then took III
the Oneida community and spoke o
Guiteau's wallowing there for six wears
Guiteau shouted: "And l say it is false.
didn't wallow. I'm Just as pure us you are
Davidge, and good deal purer. l wen
there to save my soul; not from lust. Pu
that down, Davidge, and don't you for
get It."
MIR. Davidge discussed the evidence o
Charles Reed, who conversed with thu
prisoner on the Tuesday before the shoot
tmg, and who thought he appeared a "ittlt
of his base." "And this marx yon, +" salt
. Davidge, "is the extent OF his evidence q
to that day. He was never asked II h
; thought he was unable to distinguish be
tween right and wrong. Is 1t SO verS
strange, gentlemen, that this prisone
should have appeared queer when he wa
carrying in his breast this monstrous crime
"This witness Reed"
GuiteaH HntRrrnptin1l-I Ynud haI,a