Eureka daily sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1871-1887, 1882-01-22
Steps to Prevent the Introduction Of Small
pox at the Capital.
ESPECIAL TO THE SENTINEL.

WASHINGTON, JAM. 21.-Upon entering
the Courtroom this morning Guiteau took
his seat in the witness box, remarking, as
he laid out his papers; 81 sit down be-
cause / can speak better, not that l am
afraid Of being shot. This shooting bust
ness is getting played out"
At an intimation from Judge Cox, the
prisoner carefully arranged his glasses, and
with a flourish began to read from his
manuscript as follows: 1.-THE prosecution
pretend that l am a wicked man. Mr..
Scoville and the rest think l am a lunatic,
and l presume you think I am. ! was GER
tainly a lunatic on July 2, when / fred on
the President and the American people
generally, and l presume you think l was.
Can you imagine anything more insane
than my going to the depot and shooting
the President OF the United States? You
are here to say whether l was insane or
sane when / fired that shot. You have
nothing to do with my condition since
or before ! fired that shot. You must say
by your verdict whether l was SAINT or
l1odnO al lit INT la cAO NRo hhNAs
If you nave any doubt of my sanity at
that moment you must give me the bene-
fit of the doubt and acquit; that is, if you
have any doubt whether | fired that shot
as a sane man or as an agent of the Deity.
If I fired it on my own account | was
sane. II / fired it, supposing l was the
| agent of the Deity, l was insane, and you
must acquit. This is the record Of the
law given in a recent decision of the New
York Court OF Appeals. 1t revolutionizes
the old rules, and is a grand step forward
in the law of insanity. 1t is worthy of
this age of railroads, electricity and tele-
| phones, and it we'll comes from the progress
| sive State Of New York. I've no hesitation
in saying that it is a special providence in
my favor, and l ask this Court and jury so
to consider it. Some eminent people in
America think me the greatest man of this
age. and this feeling is growing. They be-
lieve in my inspiration, and that Provi-
dence and 1 have really saved the nation
from another war. My speech, setting
forth in detail my defense, was telegraphed
to all the leading papers, and published on
Monday, and now / am permitted by his
Honor to deliver it to you"
Guiteau then explained to the jury that
his speech opened with a quotation from
his Christmas greeting to the American
people, and in using it for the opening OF
his speech to the jury he had neglected to
cut out the date, Christmas, 1881. Thank
ing his counsel, and paying a very high
compliment to the zeal and ability which
Scoville had displayed, whom he proposed
o to reward with a very liberal fee, he
extended his acknowledgment to the
Court, jury, officers and bailiffs, and last,
but not least, the American press. The
latter generally criticized a man when
they get down on him. They had been
very heavy on him at first, but when they
knew his motives they changed their views,
and were now treating him very fairly.
With this introduction Guiteau took up a
newspaper and proceeded to read to the
jury his published speech. His manner,
to a casual observer, seemed as self-pos-
sessed as usual, but behind an ostentatious
affectation OF composure was an intense
feeling, which was only held in control
through undoubted strength Of will. His
excitement was displayed by a slight hec-
tic spot high up on each cheek OF his
usually colorless face, and by the
usual elaboration with which he began,
and for some time continued to speak.
Whether this excitement was from merely
superficial effect upon his emotions, nat
urally incident to the occasion, or whether
1t proceeded from q deeper or more over
| towering influence OF the true realization
Of his position, as an almost convicted
murderer, pleading for his life, 1t was
| difficult to decide. Whatever the character
of the feeling, it finally gained an ascend
ency over his powers of>control, and as he
reached that part Of the speech which be-
gins, II have always served the Lord, and
whether I live or die" he broke down
completely. He stopped and tried to
choke down the rising Jumps in his
throat, but found it impossible to keep
back the genuine sob. Taking out his
handkerchief, be buried his face in 1t for a
few seconds, wiped his eyes, and with a
determined effort started again. He seemed
to regain his composure so quickly that
some believed the whole effect was manu-
featured. Mrs. Scoville, however. thought
otherwise. She was deeply affected, and
wept and sobbed bitterly for some time.
After this incident Guiteau continued to
read, occasionally adding brief comments
upon the text as he proceeded. All ap-
pearance OF nervousness gradually wore
off, and with the utmost composure and
an JUNCTION that bordered upon the ludi-
crous, the prisoner read on with an at
tempt ut every conceivable form OF orator.
ical, rhetorical and dramatic effect. His
description OF the taking of OF the Presi-
dent was given with striking effect. At
times he closed his eyes or turned them
heavenward, and moved his body back
and forth. He sank his voice to
o whisper, or raised 1t to q
high treble. At times the intensity
Of his uttersnces seemed to react upon him.
self, but the effect was transitory, and with
the exception OF the instance already re-
fowua1 A. &ta~a ~ - sn1snaS&o. - Lunalx
ing down. At frequent intervals he paused
to emphasize some sentence or sentiment,
by repeating or commenting. AZ one
time. pausing, he leaned toward the Jury,
and emphasizing with his head and hands,
said, with an attempt at great solemnity
" tell you, gentlemen, just as sure as
there is a God in heaven, IL you harm a
hair Of my head this nation will go down
in blood. You can put my body In the
grave, but there will be q day OF reckon.
ing"
Guiteau concluded at II 25 o'clock. and
upon the announcement by Corkhill that
Porter would be unable to speak to-day,
the Court adjourned till Monday.
The Jurors fn the Gufteau Case.
New YORK, Jan. 2l.-The Tribune Wash
ington speciSf says OF the jury in the Gut
teau case: Foreman John p. Hamlin is
middle-aged, q restaurant keeper, and q
grave, intsllieent-looking man.
The second juryman. Frederick W.
Brandenbers, is a c~igar-maker, and q
wrinkled, mahogany-colored little man,
evidently Of nervous temperament, who
listens to all that is said.
Henry J. Bright, the third juryman,
has been mentioned as them man likely to
divide the jury. He has had insanity In