The Evening critic., 1882-04-24
GUITEAU,S CASE.
The Court in Banc 90 Hear the Case
Two Weeks Hcnce-ScoviIic's With
drawnl-Mr. Reed TO Represent the
prisonar


Two Weeks Hcnce-ScoviIic's With
drewnl-Mr. Reed TO Represent the
Prisoner.
When the Court In Banc convened this
morning, Chief Justice Cartier and Justices
Cox and James occupied the bench and there
was q good attendance Of lawyers in the
chamber. 1t was understood that the case OF
Guitcau would be brought to the attention OF
the court, and there was present Of tho at
torneys in the case District Attorney Oorkhill
and Walter d. Davidge, esq.,, representing tho
Governfnent, and Mr.. Charles Reed, the de-
fendant.
District Attorney Corkhill called the atten-
tention Of the Court to the case of Charles ].
Guiteau. He said that the bill OF exceptions
had been signed and completed, and II was de-
sired that an early day as practicable be as
signed to hear the case.
Mr.. Reed said that he occupied a somewhat
embarrassing position. He had received n
letter from Mr. Scoville this morning, an
nouncing his withdrawal from the case. He
made him conversant with the fact.
The Accused was PenniIess.
unable to pay counsel. and he appeared for
him because he was ponniless. He hoped that
the Court would give him reasonable time TO
prepare. The Court well knew that a. is was
the most celebrated case in criminal jurlspru-
dence and required considerable attention.
When he came to argue It he should not take
over three hours, but he needed time to pre-.
pare his brief He did not think 1t well TO sot
the case down for hearing less than three
weeks from to-day, and the time asked for
was only reasonable, he considered, under the
circumstances.
Colonel Corkhill did not deem 1t practicable
TO say much, as IL was matter more in tho
discretion Of the Court than any one else. The
prisoner was entitled to an early hearing, and
they wished to give It,
Mr.. Reed said that while he had heard some
three weeks ago that Mr.. Scoville contem-
plated Withdrawing from the cause, still It had
not been more than week since he knew that
hn IIA Il t..r
too much time to ask for. The counsel did
not get such pay us to remunerate him for re-
nounctng all other business. He did not get
fee or reward or promise of reward, and It did
seem to him that three weeks was not too long
time TO ask.
Chief Justice Cartier said that the Court
wished TO give tho case deliberate hearing,
and did not think that over two weeks were
necessary In which to prepare.
The Court Had Its Responsibility
well as the counsel. The case had been
before the public sometime, caused much ex-
citement and agitation and ought to be dis
"I admit that" said Mr.. Reed.
The Chief Justice, continuing, said that two
weeks ought to be ample time. The Court was
in receipt of tho communication referred
to by Mr.. Reed, in which Mr.. scovllle declines
TO further participate in the case.
Mr.. Davidge wanted the hearing peremp-
torily fixed for the day set, and If any other
cause should be in the progress of hearing at
that time II ought to temporarily give way.
Chief Justice Cartier answered that the
Court would be ready to hear the case two
weeks from to-day.
Mr.. Reed said that inasmuch as the case was
SO important. he desired, IL proper, that the
five other judges should Sit to hear the
cause and made that request.
Chief Justice Cartier said that tho Court
would prefer 1t, and If practicable 1t would be
done, although the courts below were very
much pressed with business.
Mr.. Reed said in order that he might not
appear derelict he would inquire what action
would be taken in regard to the letter OF Mr..
Scoville. He asked because Mr.. Scoville had
asked him to read his letter OF withdrawal to
the Court.
Chief Justice Cartier replied that the Court
for good reasons did not consider Il proper
for the letter to be read, because it contained
arguments addressed to the case which should
properly come out in the hearing. That was
the reason it was not given to the public or
paraded in the newspapers. The Court
did not
DO Business in That Way.
He furnishes very good reasons for withdraw
ing from the case.
This closed the proceedings, and after the
court adjourned, the Chief Justice, upon con
sultation with his associates, decided to give
out those portions of the letter relating only
to Mr.. scovilles withdrawal from the case.
The document was twelve pages of legal cap,
ten OF them being styled by the Judge as
argument In the cause.
The following was permitted to be pub.
lished:
why Scoyille Withdrew.
"To the Honorable the justices OF the Su
preme Court of the District of Columbia, sit
1850.
81 desire, If Your Honors please, to withdraw
my appearance as counsel for defendant In
the case of the United States VS.. Charles ]
Guiteau In SO doing, upon tho eve OF the ar
| gument OF the appeal, 1t is proper that show
10 the court the grounds Of such action. With
my conviction as to the mental inflrmities OF
the prisoner and his consequent irresponsi
| bility, have endured and would suffer ye-
| longer his ingratitude and abuse were L able
| 10 give further time and services to his de
Tense. The imperative cause of withdrawal Il
| my inability, without
Absolute Ruin TO MY Family and
| Myself,
TO give further time to this cause away from
| home. 1t is some satisfaction, however, In
leaving the case at this stage, to know that tht
| record is complete, nd the Appellate Cour
| can review the proceedings and rulings of tn,
court below with absolute certainty as to wha
| transpired."
| Here follows n lengthy statement augmenta
| tive OF the case, which the Chief Justice de
| clines 10 permit 10 be made public at this time
| In conclusion Mr.. Scoyille says:
| al do not wish TO obtrude my persona
| affairs upon the court, but cannot refrain
| from saying that my unfortunate and reluctan
| connection with the case has been the source
| of untold trouble TO me. Guiteau says he re
| grets that his relatives had not all died twenty
Ave years ago. II certainly would have beer
| better for himself and the world-at least TO
the Garfield and Scoville portion Of mankind
II He Had Never Been Born.
| "Thanking the Court, and especially hi
| Honor Judge Cox, for the uniform kindness
| and courtesy shown me, the foregoing is re
| spectfully submitted, and ask Your Honor
10 accept my withdrawal.
- GEORGE soovILLE."
Dated Chicago, April % 1882.
Mrs. ScOviiIe's Movements.
| Mrs. Scoville, who has been here for fey
days, left yesterday afternoon for New Yorl
| city, whore she expects TO meet her brother
i Mr.. John Guiteau, and consult with him as d
the best course TO pursue In relation 10 tn
| estate of their brother, Charles j. Guiteau
She had an interview last Saturday, Will,
here, With her brother, and tried to 1nduc
him 10 give her power of attorney to file II
the court AT Chicago, in order TO give the Cour
jurisdiction, which he persistently and posi-
| lively refused to do. She left home i,efor
Mr. scoville arrived, and he did not know o
| her intention to come, and would have dis
suaded her from so doing, II he could. Up &
the present time Guiteau has given Mr.. SEQ
VILE $780, TO be used in conducting his de
fense; which does not begin to cover the OK
lensc incurred.
Thistle Social Club.
The Thistle Social Climb gave a banquet Fri
day evening, April 81, at the residence of Rev
wilford Downs III Third street northeast, Il