The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1882-01-26

to cast . slur upon the witness Moss. 81 have
seen the record this morning." said Scoville,
" and have learned the reason for the District
Attorneys anin1us against that witness. It
seems that Moss had to sue Corkhill in Magis-
trate's Court for 90 wash bill which the Dis
trict Attorney owed Moss wife and the record
says the District Attorney paid it and $1.25.
very much dislike to bring out such things in
the Courtroom but when the District Attorney
persists in his mean little personalities he COM
pels me to retaliate." Shortly afterward Cork
hill again interrupted, when Davidge, who had
come in, protested with much gravity: "Oh,
don't interrupt him; in heavens name don't in
terrupt him, he might stop altogether" GGen-
eTal laughter, in which scoville joined.]
When Guiteau was being removed from the
room at noon, he sto ped to talk to Scoville.
Bailin Tall urged him to move along, when he
was told by Guiteau to "mind his own busi-
ness" After few words Tail pushed Guiteau,
whereupon Guiteau struck him in the breast
with his manacled hands. He was then seized
and taken out of the room. After recess, 500
vile said: 81 might detain you. gentlemen,
for weeks longer with just such observations as
I have been making upon the evidence intro
duced by the prosecution, but shall not dwell
longer upon these facts. will close with .
few general observations" Scoyille then went
on to say that laws are framed for the punish
ment Of sane people, but not the insane.
When man has overstepped the
boundary line Of sanity and has committed
ished as should sane man. If you find .
reasonable doubt, as the law mercifully de-
clares, Of his sanity, you shall give him the
benefit of it. The object of human punish
ment is not for revenge" Scoville discussed
at some length the demoralizing influence
Of the scafold, and expressed the opinion that
crimes would be diminished BY the abolish
ment of capital punishment. He then pro-
ceeded to anticipate the argument Of Judge
Porter, and to point out to the jury the
fallacy of the arguments which he pre-
dicted Judge Porter would advance to
and to secure the hanging of Guiteau. In
conclusion he said "It has often been said
that our jury trials are farce, and have in
my practice frequently heard it said that the
Jury system ought to be aboiished because
jur1es make . mistake because they are In
auenced BY the eloquence Of the advocates. ;;
because they are Influenced, not by justice,
not by the evidence, but BY last address.
But, gentlemen, thank God that there was
a time when my English ancestors stood up
against wrong and injustice. and wrested
from q despot the right Of trial by jury,
and I have never yet seen the time when /
would wish to see that right abolished. feel
more secure and more safe in this mode of ad-
mlnistering justice than in any other. 30 long
as juries are honest it does not require that you
should have read Kent or Blackstone. It re-
quires that you should have honest hearts and
clear heads, and, above oil, that you should be
fearless to 6nd for the right, regardless of what
may come; regardless of whether your fellow
men may approve it or not. This is what L shall
expect of you, gentlemen, and believe you
will do it. I leave the case with you, gentle-
men, thanking you for your kind attention"
withdraw his objection to the prisoner address,
ing the jury, whereupon Judged Cox said he
had decided to letthe prisoner speak. Adjourned
for the day. Il