The Savannah morning news., 1901-09-22
A SHORT TRIAL FOR ozOLGosz.


There is no reason why the trial Of
Czolgosz, the assassin of Mckinley.
should be long one. While 1t is de-
sired that he shall have all his rights
protected there would be a very gen
eral protest if indications of a trial
similar to that Of Guiteau, the assassin
of Garfield, should crop out.
The Guiteau trial was lacking in dig
nifty and impressiveness. Indeed it be-
came almost comical before 1t was
concluded. 1t lasted for months, and
was attended by all sorts of people.
many of whom were in search of
amusement, but the majority being
drawn to the court room by a maudlin
sentiment that increased as the trial
proceeded. The assassin was permitted
to talk as much as he wanted to, and
he did a great deal of talking. Almost
every morning, when first brought into
the court room, he made a speech
which had little or no bearing upon the
case. 1t was thought, however. that
there would be protests If every chance
We're not given him and his attorneys
to make out a defense. and they took
advantage of the opportunity thus Of
fered to get all the notoriety they
could.
The prospect is that Czolgosz will not
be granted privileges such as Guiteau
had The trial judge will confine the
case to the plain facts. In that event
the trial should not occupy more than
two days, unless the plea of insanity
is set up. 1t ought not to take long TO
dispose of that plea Czolgosz has
been examined by insanity experts and
pronounced responsible for his acts.
Other experts might of course reach a
different conclusion, but as far as the
public is now informed, there is no
probability that they would.
1t ought not to take the prosecuting
attorney long to present the states
case. One witness is sufficient to prove
the shooting. and the assassin has con-
fessed. His confession was made under
circumstances which permit it to be
used against him.
The testimony of one doctor is all
that is needed to show that Mr.. Nc
Kinley died from the effects of the
wound inflicted upon him by Czolgosz
There are half dozen who would give
such testimony If it should be needed.
The assassin may try to show that
death was caused by the doctors, but
If he should he would fail. All of the
doctors who attended the distinguished
patient agree that death resulted from
the pistol shot.
1t is in the power of the attorneys
for the assassin to keep the case in
court several days. They could do this
by an insanity plea or by an attempt
to show that the bullet wound was not
of itself fatal, but it is not probable
that they will desire the kind of neto-
riety that comes from defending an
assassin who has admitted his guilt.
1t was supposed, up to Friday, that
the two distinguished Buffalo lawyers
appointed by the court to conduct the
assassin's defense would be his counsel,
but it seems that one of them says it
is doubtful if he will be able to accept
the appointment, If the other one con-
sents to act the assassin will have all
the legal assistance he needs.
The trial should be a short one, and
execution should follow the sentence
quickly. The quicker the perpetrator
of the most dastardly crime committed
in a century is executed the better the
public will be satisfied.