Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-10-18
Fifty Years Ago
In The Star

Charles J. Guiteau, the assassin of
President Garfield, was arraigned Oc-
Arrangement Juege Walter S. Cox
of Guiteau. p p court. The
Stars report of that day says:
'At 11:l5 o'clock, preceded by Marshal
Henry and Deputy Williams. and
f1anked by Bailiff Tall and detective.
the prisoner came into court and was
shown to seat in front of the clerk S
desk. He walked with nervous step
and his restless eyes seemed to indi-
cate that he was somewhat frightened.
He was attired in a black suit and
striped calico shirt. He was hand
cuffed when brought in. Guiteau
looked broken in health and uncared
for in person. His hair is closely CROP
ped, but his cheek and chin whiskers
are worn thick but not long. His dark
clothes were rusty and shabby and his
whole person presented a remarkably
neglected appearance. He stood nerv-
ously before the bar, with his left
wrist tightly clasped by his right hand,
and with eyes nearly closed, the lids
trembling constantly.
Col. Corkhill remarked: May 1t
please the court, the grand jury have
indicted Charles J. Guiteau for the
murder of James A. Garfield. and the
prisoner being in court l ask his ar
raignment' The court acquiesced and
the prisoner was directed to stand His
handouts had in the meantime been
removed Mr.. Frank Williams, the
clerk. rising. said: Is your name
Charles j. Guiteau?' The prisoner:
1T is
"Mr. williams proceeded to read the
indictment, the prisoner standing up,
with his head most of the time inclined
to the right shoulder. his eyes half
closed or wholly so. his hands crossed
as if they still wore the handouts. and
his general air that of sickly indiffer-
ence. The reading occupied nearly half
an hour, and during all that time Gull
teau hardly once changed his bearing
and rarely opened his eyes He did not
manifest the slightest degree OF interest
in the scene in which he was the CHIEF
actor, and but for an occasional slight
movement might be supposed TO De
asleep in a standing attitude.
Mr.. Williams concluded reading the
indictment and asked: What say you
to this indictment? Are you guilty OF
not guilty?' The prisoner took from
his pocket a paper. Col. Corkhlll: En-
ter your plea Of guilty or not guilty.
The prisoner: Well, your honor, en-
ter plea of guilty and desire to make
a statement Judge Cox: You car
make it some other time The prisoner
took his seat.
"Col. Corkhill: 7 now desire this
case to be set for trial Monday morn
ing next, peremptorily'
A brief discussion ensued between
Mr.. Scoville, counsel for Guiteau. who
pleaded for a longer period Of prepare
ton. and Col. Corkhill, and Judge Coy
finally ruled as follows:
ut is important to the interests o
public justice that all cases of thu
gravity of this should be tried as speed
lily as is consistent, with fair oppor'
tunity to defendant to prepare for trial
appreciate the necessity for tim'
when evidence is to be brought from 6
distance, and the diligence already en-
ployed by counsel is an evidence to mt
that there are witnesses at distance
that are necessary to be summoned
and whose testimony will be important
must consult somewhat, however, thu
other engagements of this court in fix
ing date for the trial of this case
and think the most convenient time
for the court and the time which viii
sufficiently accommodate the prisoner
will be the 7th of November, which j:
Mcnday-three weeks from next Mon
day.
II cannot ignore the additional fac
that there is a preliminary question
that will be raised-the question of thu
jurisdiction of this court over the cast
and which rises on the face of the rec
ord. Until that question is decided
there will be no trial, nor could there
be trial. If this question must be dis
cussed I want it discussed at once
or anyhow by the 30th Of the pres
ent month, in order that 1t may
be out of the way. In regard tt
the application to allow the costs Of
witnesses, their attendance fees anc
mileage, I will examine the statute:
and make such an order as I may bs
authorized to make. have no dispo.
sition not to exercise the full power
with which may be clothed to secure
the. attendance of all witnesses whose
evidence may be material, and there.
fore whatever. the laws allow me to do
will do In thai regard. At present
will FIX the dsg for the trial the It'll
day Of next month";"