New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-01-19
THE POLITICAL SIDE OF GUITEAU'S CRIME.
LEY rELEGRApN TO LIE rRLnLNE.l

ing Diane upon ILlS Insane Lldu.
The language attracted the attention Of
everyone in the courtroom Many had
up to that time been listening indihereuty
OF altogether disregarding Mr.. sccville's
prosing Raising lis voice still higher md showing
increased excitement, Mr.. Scovile went on: II say
that such men az Conking and Grant and Arthur
those who made war on the dead President, who
fomcnted the strife and instigatcd that state Of
things and manufactured such public feeling that
it preyed upon this mans weak mind until reason
left its throne-are behind this prosecution"
He declared that he had not intended TO say this
till he found that Guiteau was not to have a
fair trial. Then lie determined that he would not
permit them 80 make scapegoat of this insane man,
50 that they may still be reyeTcd and honored
in public estiration' He took mp Mr. Conkling,
General Grant ard General Arthur in turn, saying
that mono of them should escape the censure
of the people for his conduct at the time of the coE
troversy with General Garfield if ha could fasten 1t
upon them. He charged that it was not for
the purpose Of vindicating General Garfield or Of
doing justice that the prisoner was prosecuted but
because, If he could be convicted n sane man,
these men cOdld say: I'VE are not responsible for
what sane man has done" But, if the jury should
find the man insane, it would be asked what
induced this poor lunatic To do this
act. He said these men would go TO
their graves with the contempt aud approbriuE
of all citizens unless they followed the example of
General Grant in the Ftz John Porter case, and
acknowledge that they had done wrong-unless
they should write a letter 10 that desoFate widow
at Mentor AID ask ber to forgive hm.'
This extraordinary speech was heard with general
SURPRISE and Mr.. Reed and d.. Mcfarland. the
Illinois expert, who still remains here as a friend of
the defence, plainly showed their dissatisfaction
with IT, Mr Reed, when questioned afterward
said he did not agree with il. and would
like to have that understood. As Cal
teau passed out for the noon recess no
stopped AZ the counsel table and sad with laugh
to Nh Reed I'm glad he gave those fellows a rap.
Perhaps it will make them show where they stand"
It was the general feeling in the courtroom that
Mr. Scoylc had put powerful weapon in tho
hands of Judge Porter which he viii nOt fail 10 Use
when he closes the case.
There were few other new features IN the argI-
ment. Guitcau was quieter than usual bat made
some interruptions. lie pronounced IHE NEw-
ciHadd Commercial and George William Curtis to TO
" cranks,' and called on their editors by name " 10
Join the Gmut-(iuteau-Ar,hWC Combination and
become good Republicans He learned no donbt
from his counsel that the New-lork Court or
AppealS had rendered q decision upou the ques-
ton of a reasonable doubt Of insanity,
which, rs the defence claim, sustdns their position
that the burden of proof is upon the prosecution.
GuItcau referred to this discision three times in tho
course of the afternoon.
Contrary to his implied promise Ct yesterday, Mr..
Scovillc did not finish even with The afternoon of
to-day. and Will continue tomorrow. Judge
Porter will speak Friday and perhaps part Of Sat-
urday, sending the case 10 the jury Oh that day.