Evening star., 1931-11-29
Fifty Years Ago
In The Star

Guiteau's erratic conduct during his
trial for the murder of President Gar
Tpduloonoae field aroused country
wide comment and
to Guiteau caused much fndig-
nation at the toler-
ance shown him in the court room.
The Star of November 81. 1881, says:
MANY are aninadverting upon the
great indulgences shown Guiteau, who
appears to issue his commands for what
he wants, whether 1t be a new pair OF
handouts or better breakfast than
that brought him, with positive. Ger
tainty that they will be obeyed. It Is
asked with reason, why a criminal, who
has caused whole nation to mourn,
should have his caprices gratifled more
than the poor wretch whose necessities
have driven him to commit petty
theft. Guiteau appears now to be
thoroughly enjoying the situation. He
has the noteriety, the love Of which
was doubtless as all his talks has
tended to prove, one potent cause Of
the man who burned the Temple Of
Diana at Ephesus, merely that his
name might be handed down to poster
ity, sGuiteau thought to immortalize
himself by his deed, and now, when he
can prate about his 'bodyguard,' be the
cyncSure Of all eyes in crowded court
room and defy judge, lawyers and wit
nesses when he chooses to take the
floor and address the crowd in terms
of liberalization, he has to his hearts
content the conspicuous position he has
always craved. 1t has been questioned
whether the same rules applying to
those accused, but not proved guilty Of
murder while on trial for their lives,
have been observed in regard to this
oC0iV1 yx1kH( y G,,rI -
OF his foul crime. If he could be made
to feel himself in any sense diSgraced
by his crime, his intense egotism would
receive a shock which should surely be
part of his punishment. Instead Of
this, he says with JUNCTION that his first
week in court was very good one and
that no. one said anything very hard
against him."
~
As an example of Guiteau's behavior
the following is quoted from The Stars
Quarrels With account of the trial
His Counsel. tbe a5' ddS1ss, 1891: cSSer51s of %s
Scoville, counsel for the defense:
"Mr. Scoville said that whenever
Guiteau Gin his law practice) was op-
posed by other lawyers he failed. Here
Guiteau interrupted Mr.. Scoville, his
vanity having been touched, and said:
i brought good many suits. I may
nave had the reputation of being a
fool when I was a lawyer, but gave
the other side all they wanted Mr.. ,
said that Mr.. Reed had moved Gui-
teau's admittance to the bar. Mr.. Sco-
vile proceeded to explain and Guiteau
interrupted him, saying: No sir; Gen.
Reynolds did that Mr.. Scoville pro-
ceeded to talk again, when Guiteau
spoke up to Mr.. Davidge: Gen. Rey-
nolds made the motion. There he Is
sitting behind you.
''Mr. Scoville hesitated upon going on,
when the prisoner spoke up again: No.
no, Mr.. Scoville, that is an interesting
story and it is correct in detail Mr..
Scov1ne continued with his narrative
OF Guiteau's life, speaking of his de-
parture from Chicago for New York.
His address and gentlemanly deport-
ment was such that he had no diff
Guilty In getting collection business TO
do. I had first-class references, too.'
interrupted the prisoner, so got the
business At that time, said Mr.. Sco-
vile, the prisoner was in every sense a =
gentleman. I had no bad habits OF any
kind broke in the prisoner"
At the next days session, as reported
in The Star of November %, 1881, Gui-
teau became particularly violent Mr..
Scoville was analyZing a speech made
by Guiteau at a political meeting as
evidence of the prisoners lack OF men =
tai balance:
"Mr. Scoville went on criticizing the
speech and showing that it was poor
effort. The prisoners face famed with
rage. Striking the table sharply with
his fist he screamed: 7 protest now
Solemnly against your trying to max
ing me out fool. If you want to rest
your case rest it on the doctrine that
the Deity inspired the act and am
with you; rest it on my being fool
and am down on you The prisoner
stopped a moment and then broke out
again: I say the Deity inspired this
act and He will take care of me- The
prisoner then sank back, muttertng in
his rage against Mr.. Scoville. He pro-
tested against Mr.. Scoville saying hs
f0ol