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Show Following is a telegraphic account of the opening of Guiteau's trial. It is to be hoped that it will proceed to a formal conclusion, and that the penalty of the law may be duly inflicted. The prisoner is very apprehensive that its evil will be repeated on himself, but if this trial shall reach a legal termination, it will be a great credit to American law, order and institutions. Washington, Nov. (November) 14. - At 10 o'clock precisely, Judge Cox his Criminal Courtroom and the Court was declared formerly opened by the crier. Immediately thereafter, Guiteau was brought into the courtroom by the Marshall and his deputies. He looked much better, physically and otherwise, than when he first appeared to the plea in the indictment. Still he had the same restless ???? expression which characterized him before. He was at once relieved of his handcuffs and took his seat beside his sister, Mrs. Scoville. The courtroom was crowded. District Attorney Corkhill, Porter of New York and Davidge of Washington , appeared for the prosecution, and Scoville and Leight Robinson for the defense. Smith was present to represent the Attorney General. One of Guiteau's first moves was to thrust his hand in one of the pockets and half take out a roll of paper. Scoville, however, in dumb play, ordered him to put it back and he did so. Then the District Attorney declared the readiness on the part of the prosecution to proceed with the case. Robinson then arose to make a plea for still more time to prepare defense, which it appeared not to meet the approval of Guiteau. All the time that Robinson was speaking Guiteau was carrying on what appeared to be great excitement and nervousness. He remonstrated with Scoville, who was apparently trying to quiet and suppress him. At the close of Robinson's speech Guiteau insisted on being heard. He said that he was not aware that a postponement was to be requested. He desired to be heard in his own behalf at the threshold of the case. So far as he was concerned he did not want further time. He was ready to try the case now. Owing to the opposition of Scoville and the prisoner to the application of Robinson for extension of time, the Court stated that, for the present, the case should as far, at least, as the swearing in of the jury was completed, and then he would consider the question of an extension. About 11 o'clock the work of obtaining a jury was begun. Here three presented were disqualified; two on the ground that they had formed fixed opinions on the case and the other on the ground that he had conscientious scruples on the subject of capital punishment. In examining the jurors Scoville went over a large range of questions as to the religious and political beliefs. The panel was exhausted after five jurors had been obtained and at the suggestion of the District Attorney an order was issued for drawing seventy-five additional names from a box. The prisoner at this point slowly rose and informed the Court he would like to make a speech tomorrow morning, but he was ordered by the Court to take his seat. He then passed his manuscript to a newspaper man, but before the latter could leave the court room, Scoville called him back and compelled him to return it. This raised the anger of the prisoner, who excitedly declared he was not under the control of his counsel, that he was a lawyer and knew law himself, that when he wanted help he would ask for it and desired that his speech be published for the purpose of influencing public opinion. He was again silenced by the clerk and it having been agreed the sitting of the Court should be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m daily, allowing half an hour for recess, the court adjourned. |