Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-01-07
81 don't pretend to be insane now, said the pris-


STORY mania Is what clafm.n
81 venture to say" continued Mr. Davidge, "that
he knows as accurately as any lawyer here"
s'Mr scoville," observed rye Nj. Dasidge, 'sald he
was fool for three weeks"
nats sEn said the prsonsr whs perhaps
a fool Scoville is entirely wrong In his theory.
the prisoner interrupted him, saying: 81 have
said 1t was Gods act You men on the prosecu-
stick to you all your lives"
GUITEAU WANTS A TWO HOURS TALK TO THE JURY TO
SETTLE THE NATTER
The court having attempted TO silence the pris-
oner, he called out: 81 want to get chance at
that jury, and in two hours talk settle this whole
matter.D
Mr.. Davidge, when the prisoner was quieted,
said: 1--WE are trying man, who, however i'm
beetle, for three weeks was transfgured in the es-
tlmatlon OF the jury and the world by his own
testimony. i.e then proceeded with the reading
OF the decision in the Mc(;lue case.
Mr.. Davidge quoted also from the decision of
MIR. Justice Clifford in the case OF the United
states against Holmes, reported in 1St Clifford,
page 98.
GUITEAU SAYS THERE IS CLAW ON THE OTHER SIDE"
When Mr.. Davidge finished the reading, which
occupied twenty minutes, the prisoner remarked:
'There's plenty of law, Mr.. Davldge, on the other
side OF that issue. You are very One-sided this
morning."
Mr.. Davidge said he presented to the court an
unbroken current OF decisions In England from
1913 down to the present time, aud also the out
g1VlngS or the American courts. Insanity as q
defence was governed by rules OF law.
THE PRISONER RESPONSIBLE IF HE KNEW WHAT HE
WAS DOING.
II the accused party knew what he was doing
II he were eccentric, If he were queer even If he
were insane, and knew what he was doing-he
was responsible. If a man OF little intelligence
tn tho S,taJ
responsible. No matter what his belief was, II it
was not the result OF disease, If it came from
within, from the operations OF his faculties
perceptions. or from perverted or depraved moral
nature, the defence Of insanity could not be main
tanned. Until 1t was shown that the belief In in-
spiration was the result Of disease it constituted
no defence.
GUITEAU ON MoRNoNIsM.
Mr.. Davtdge having referred to a decision in a
Mormon bigamy case, the prisoner said: "That
reference to the MormOns is pertinent They are
breaking the law all the time, and yet the govern
ment doesn't do anything about it."
MIR. DAvIDGEs REToRT.
"They are breaking the law lust as the law was
broken here" said Mr.. Davidge, and he then
quoted the Mormon case to show that the United
States Supreme Court held that no belief, rellgi
GUS conviction, if it be not disease. could afford
a defence for crime. II a man knows what is the
municipal law, and he chooses TO violate the mu-
nlcipal law and obey what ne believes to be n-
spirad law, he t,hes the consequences. Otherwise
society could not exist. The municipal law recoe-
1t would, perhaps, be improper for him. he said
again, to discuss the different propositions pre-
pared by the defence. He thought the different
propositions ought to be read to gether to Show the
legal requirements of the case.
"MormOniSin.' said the prisoner when Mr.. Dlv-
idge sat down, sis an act or institution to crafty
lust My act WIS patriotic act, for the rood OF
the American people, and they are satisfied with
Judge Portar cited the court to decisions by
Ju1se McLe ~, Gth Mclean, page 123, and Judge
The court at 1890 took recess for half an hour
ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS BID FOR GUITEAU's CA
DATEg.
Mr. ScoviI1e has received an offer, which he con-
siders bona fide, OF one thousand dollars for
GuIteau's body, to be delivered when GGiteiu has
no further use 1or it. Mr. ScGviue declines to give
is, he says, physician OF this city. The prisoner
has consented to enter into the arrangement
though he thinks, the price to be IL is too low.
Mt Scoville who seems inclined to accept the 0Hrr
says the mOnay would be used in Equiilating the
prisoners debts. Mr.. John Guite9u says he could
not use any money obtained in that way, except
in paying his brothers debts. He thinks the fact,
that the body would probably be stolen from the
grave, II it were REGULARLY Inferred, iusslies the
acceptance OF the offer. The o.rer is not conai-
toned upon the execution OF the prisoner Accord
ing to its terms the body is to be delivered when
scientific purposes or fer speculation as eXhiDi-
ton Is not known.
AN UNNAMED ADVOCATE OF THE THEORY OF IN
SANITY.
Mr.. John W.Guiteau said to STAR reporter thu
he had letter, written by a prominent alenISt
and practitioner, and editor OF a medical monthly
who has not testified In the case, to a prominent
insane asylum superintendent which, he thought,
ought to be printed. He declined, however, to
disclose the name OF the writer, saying it would
be a breach of confidence for him TO do so. The
following portions OF the letter are given, as it
shows views OF the fOndly cherished by the
defence: "While admitting the weight OF Gray
and KempSter'S testimony / would say that the
balance OF probabilities was in favor OF the mans
He is either insane or feigning, and
ii the latter it cannot be determined without
afforded. After all the heinousness OF the crime,
It's inadequate motive, the absence OF all hope of
precludng all possibility OF reward,
the time and place and going Immediately
to jail, the absurd reasons for the act when the
country Is at peace, his prOclamations to the
American people, as though he Ryas benefactor
instead OF criminal maefactor :his mproprieties
in court, etc. etc, all point to Insanity; should
testify so as to secure time or acomnlss1on or a
new trial to study the case. We want psyche
logical dissection without prejudice, preconceived
people, may Want ay
as in the beginning, why did he kill Garfield? Can
il there were doubt Of his sanity why was his
case so hastily disposed OF? Gray, Kempster and
We We have all seen doubtful cases where
the sequel proves insanity after many months.
George Francis Train, for instance. 1
am sorry Ray has gone. He had a
level and logical head in discussing and weigh
Ing psychological problems. Unique cases are as
likely to arise in the present in the past Psy-
chOlOgy is not finished science, and the rules for
morbid mind not all frrevocably es-
tabl1Shed to which there no exception. Guiteau
is not the only psych;cal puzzle you know. Morbid
mind, according to Gray, Kempster and MacDOn-
aid, is as easily demonstrated as problem in Eu-
cid, notwithstanding some natural minds are as
as some parts OF the sea-"
TRIAL NOTES.
Guiteau is preparing an address to the jury
which will be very similar to his address to the
American people.
physician from Philadelphia went to Jail yes
terday with John Guiteau and took measurements
OF the prisoners head.
GOVERNMENT RECEIPTS Tc-DAY.-Internal rev.
enue, S456, ,9s5 "a; customs, &91S, ,S85.S7.
NATIONAL BANKs-The treasury now holds $s1 1,-
92 100 in U. s. bonds to secure National bank cir
U. s. bonds deposited on this account
week ending to-day, $1,6s3, ESQ, and withdrawn.
81 ,429,050 During the week enied to-day there
were received at the Treasury for redemption
81 ,227 eco in National bank notes, as against
sSe9 COO for the corresponding week OF last year.