Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-03-02
THE TRIAL OF SERGEANT MASON
Closing Scenes in the Court Martial.

1twas after II O'Clock when the Mason court
martial assembled to-day. Among the new faces
seen in the court was one of farrner-iookfnR
man, tall and vigorous OF frame, with an IRON
gray beard and moustache This was Major Israel
| c. Robinson, OF Charlottesville. Ohio. late In COM
! mand OF the 18th ONO volunteers. In which regi-
ment Mason served during the war. Major Robin
son stated that he had not received the tle erapbtc
summons OF the court, but had come upon a letter
from Mr. Bigelow.
THE TRIAL TO CLOSE TO-DAY
Before the record was read the president OF the
court stated that IL was intended to-day AZ pos
slbe, TO get through with the proceedings so far
allow the other officers 10 return 10 their STA
tons leaving the judge advocate and hims N here
TO arrange and sign the papers. IL was nearly
noon when the reading OF the record Vas tinished.
The presence or Major Robinson was then an
nounced,
NAsoSs GOOD RECORD As A SOLDIER, AND Hs
WOUND
After some discussion 1t was recorded that the
Major had heard the statement OF Mr. Bigelow,
as TO what he proposed 10 prove by Major Robin
son read and subscribed % it, This statement was
in effect as TO Mason's honorable service during
the war, and the severe wound Ina his shoulder h0
received at Raymond, Mississippi, I'm 1868, &c
MASON WANTS TO BE HEARD.
After some discussion as To the methods Of pro.
| cedure, the prisoner rising, said:
II would Just Ike TO say dozen words, Mr.
President, after Mr. Bigelow closes his address f
have that privilege a soldier"
You have Gen. Bigelow here,n said Col. Miner,
ITO represent you as your counsel, and you had
better leave everything 10 him."
81 don't wish what say" remarked Mason. ITO
go on the record at all"
'There can be nothing said by the prisoner thas
does res not 90 on The record. |" said Col. Miner;
The Judge advocate asked II the prisoner had no
writRn statetnent 10 submit
Il can deliver all my statements from my mouth
orally" said the prisoner, proudly.
WHAT MASON SAID A STAR REPORTER
The prisoner then sat down and the court was
cleared During the secret session Mason paced
UP and down the adjoining room uneasiIy. TO q
STAR reporter who asked him about his speech, he
said: II VIII tel you what IL Is want TO say
this desire 10 thank the court for fair hearing,
also Mt. Bigelow, my best friend, and II this court
wishes to send Inc out OF the army dishonorably
can only say that IL Was for striking terror and
fright TO the heart of that cowartfly. sneakfng,
castiron-jawed, projected eyebrowed assassin Gull
teau. Gentlemen, have 40 more 10 Say. am as
your mercy"
WHEN THE COURT REAsSENBLED
the judge advocate again formally asked the
prisoner II he desired TO make any statement to
60 On record, and Mason replied in the negative.
The judge advocate then Informed him that In
that case he could not be allowed 10 make any
statement
"very well. sir" said Mason, al will not make
The prisoner was then asked as to whether he
had any more witnesses, and replied: ''No, sir,
THE ARGUMENT FOR THE DEFENCE
The Judge advocate having waived his opening,
Mr.. Bigelow read his argument for the defence re-
ferring to the punishment already received by the
prisoner. He proceeded TO argue from the evi-
dence, laying stress upon the mpossibility OF the
bullet harming Guiteau, from the assumption that
he was lying on his bunk. He claimed that Gui-
teau's various statements 10 hts standing near
his cell window were made for the ulterior purpose
OF feeding his vain glory and supporting bis claim
to be directly under the protection OF Divinity 1t
clear he held that the bullet aimed at the
jail, and not at Guiteau When the person who
was the object OF assault was out OF any danger
was an intent to Kill The assault must be likely
to endanger life In case. therefore, Guiteau was
found to be beyond the reach OF a bullet from the
should acquit Mason's attempt whatever
the intent, was wild project, the IN
ieS ssns n By and prick eu.. .a
The specification In the charge alleging infrac-
ton Of military rules was subject 70 insLper.
not siiege that such firing was not done by
] contrary ' it was shown % Sy the evidence that he
had not yet gone on duty as guard He thought
sns wa Mas Win tSe cr,ne -
attempting to kill the assassin OF the Presi
dent and commander In chief OF the army OF the
II he was guilty OF any, was the outgrowth OF the
assassins own crime. He referred TO Masons ex,
the court for the fairness Il had shown.
,1 M ; Bigeiow % nad the moor about hall an hour.
who summed up the evidence.
THE JUDGE ADVOCATES SUMMING UP.
The Judge advocate quoted Waltermap's Digest
In opposition to the claim that inability TO perform
the act relieved the accused Of the charge OF At
tempt to kin.
CLOSED DOoRA
He finished his argument at 1855 and the court
was Immediately closed.
The prisoner, his counsel and the reporters
waited on the grass outside. The court WAS 80
particular about having Its room private that tho
Office OF the commissary sergeant adjoining WAS
closed and the orderly was instructed TO keep tho
space In front Of the court clear for some dis
tanCe.
4 DECISION REACHED.
The court was In secret session for half an hour
upon conclusion Of which Q recess OF one hour wao
taken In order TO have the record prepared Tho
officers announced that they had reached a dects.
ION. Most OF them win return TO their stations
this evening or tomorrow.
AFTER THE TRIAL.
When the papers are finally arranged they win
be sent to Breves Major Gen. Whipple, adJutane
general department OF the east, and by him %
Major Asa Bird Gardner, Judge advocate, by whom
they viii be submitted 70 Cen Hancock, depaxt-
ment commander. II may be several weeks hcforo
the findings Of the court, with the action upon
them by the department commander, VIII be 00b-
ctAlly promulgated The members Of the court
- uSual I'm such caeea, are sworn not 70 d1vulG4
- action upon the casa