Daily Kennebec journal., 1882-01-14
The Defence Torn Into Shreds
and the Insanity Theory
Demolished.
0uitesu Constantly Interrupts the
the Argument.
WAsBIyGToy, Jan. /.

we're patientIv waiting outsioe- JUST oefoIt
the opening Of the court, Deputy Marshal
Williams announced that by order of the
court any denomination Of applause on the
part of the audience today would be followed
by arrest and perhaps imprisonment Of the
offendsr. This was accompanied with the
request that no one would attempt TO leave
the court room before recess.
Davidge was early in his seat, and in re-
ply TO the inquiry, stated he would speak to-
day two hours and probably more.
That meaus all day, Was suggested, and at
this Davidge smiled, leaving the inference,
If any, that ouch may be the case.
Upon the opening Of the court Guiteau
said In justice to myself and Davidge.
desire TO say that received letter yester-
day. severely denouncing Davidge and my
remarks against him were based upon shat.
! have found out, however, that l was mis-
taken and that Da' idge is high-toned Chris
tian gentlenan and sound lawyer, l desire,
therefore, 10 withdraw anything have SAID
against him. l still entertain the same
opinion of Corkhill, however. I'm satisfied
I was wrong about Davidge, but right about
Corkhiil.
Mr.. Davidge resumed his argument and
review of evidence. He showed up the evil
dence of J. w. Guiteau and other witnesses
for the defence. the fallacy and absurdity Of
Scovilles pet theory that the prisoner was an
iinbecile.
Soon after the opening of the court Speaker
keifer and Attorney General Taft entered
and took seats upon the bench. After his
opening speech Guiteau remained quiet and
listened tor an hour.
Davidge having used some pretty strong
language in alluding to Guiteau, such rs the
unspeakable liar" the prisoaer retorted
Oh, you are making all that fine talk for
money; following it up with frequent CON-
ments That happens to be false; that isn't
true; and similar expressions.
Davidge passed to the examination Of the
prisoner himself. his appearance upon the
stand, what he had said and what capacity Of
intellect he had shown, proving conclusively
that what had done before that all had been q
| sham, and 4 hollow fraud. Scoville had
dilated upon his morality, and had averred
that the lack of intellect was his failing. On
the contrary he had shown upon the stand
| wonderful memory, logic, reason intellectual
ability. Likewise, as the defence had
claimed for him virtue and morality, the
prosecution had availed themselves OF their
right to show the contrary and what had been
the result. He had been shown to be such q
monster of corruption, deceit, depravity and
| weakness that the country look upon him
with a shudder.
That might have been the case in July,
| shouted Guteau, but it isn't the case n Ow. II
you could see some of the letters l have
been receiving, you would see that a good
many people think I am one of the best and
greatest men in the country.
Continuing, Davidge skillfully and with
wonderful effect reviewed that portion of the
testimony bearing upon the prisoners moral
| character as evidenced in his past life. All
this time, said the counsel, no one accused
him of insanity. In the estimation Of his
friends and family he was sane enough for
all transactions of life, but when his hands
are red with blood and an outraged law claims
him as a sacrifice on the altar of justice, we
first hear of insanity.
Abiding to Guiteau's schemes in relation
| to the Inter Ocean, Davidge said. We have
| to deal here simply with the plans of an au.
dscious mind, but there is nothing in such a
| scheme to Indicate insanity. 1t is q fact,
| understand. that the stock of that paper once
worth $4,000, is now worth . million dol.
lars; and 1t was by putting into successful
operation, plans first suggested by the pris-
oner. Yes, shouted Guiteau, the paper never
Was anything until put some brains into it.
They have been running ever since on my
brains.
Summing up this incident Davidge said it
was no indication of insanity. 1t was simply
in keeping with his idea that the great NOV.
ing brain, the one central figure Of the day,
was that of Charles J. Guiteau. Thank you
Davidge. called out the prisoner. I'm glad
you are beginning to think so. A great many
other people think I'm the great man Of the
day, but don't care q snap what they think.
I haven't got bit Of egotism.
Mr.. Da, idge alluded briefly to the testi.
mony of Mrs. Dunmire, the divorced wife OF
the prisoner. The prosecution were debarred
from entering upon those condolences which
exist between husband and wife. The defence
could have done go, but they did not Mrs
Dunmire, said Davidge. did not hesitate to
testify emphatically that he was sane.
She don't know anything about me, called
out Guiteau. l haven't seen her for over
eight years.
Mrs. Scoville, who had been busily writing
all the morning, shook her head angrily and
calculated. she's a liar anyway.
Her brother whispered . warning, but she
repeated the comment still more emphat
| ically.
Commenting upon the testimony of Dr.
Spitzka. Davidge said that notw outstanding
some Of his remarkable statements, Spitxks
never denied the prisoners legal responsible.
ity. Accepting all his evidence even Spitzks
brought the prisoner within the reach of Law
| and punishment
Referring to DR.. Spitxxa's testimony ~ to
| the prisoner having . lop-sided smile, Dav.
idge said. the one-sidedness il in the prison.
ers soul. the asymmetry is in his soul, and
heart and moral nature, in fact, the devil has
taken possession Of his soul
The prisoner-Tf you had a. good one
you would be all right.
In alluding to DIR. Spitzka's statement tha,
the prisoners tongue deviated to one side,
| Davidge related the fact that the medical ex.
perts At q meeting at willard's hotel, exam
ined each others tongues, and it vas found
| that Of the half dozen present, only two
could put their tongues out straight.
The prisoner-And they we're all rather
tonguey.
Davidge continuing,-And we NAV say thai
these experts were sane men.
Hardly, was the prisoners comment.
What monstrous, miserable testimony.
continued Davidge, was necessary to bolster
up this rotten, vretchedly rotten case.
The prisoner-The rotten business i, a
good comment on your side Of il.
Recess.
Amer recess Davidge resumed, with n re-
view and discussion Of the expert testimony.
Never before had 90 many men of eminence
appeared upon trial Of this character. The
treasury had been opened to secure the A.
tendance Of witnesses. Over 800 Witnesses