FIFTY YEARS AGO.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21086, 21 January 1932, Page 6

FIFTY YEARS AGO.

EXTRACTS FROM THE HERALD. SHOOTING OF A PRESIDENT. The following are extracts from the New Zealand Herald of January 21, 1882: The trial of Guiteau, who shot Presi dent Garfield, is proceeding. Mr. Sco ville, counsel for the defence, ascribes Guiteau's crime to the outcome of political rancour and asserts that General Grant, Mr. Conkling and President Arthur are morally responsible, for the deed. The trial has been conducted in a most remarkable mariner. The Americans like to make a theatrical exhibition of everything, and the wretched man Guiteau has fallen into the humour in the most convenient fashion. The manner in which Guiteau is allowed to abuse and scold the witnesses, the questions he is permitted to ask. the style in which he is allowed to pose as a patriot, make of his trial something of which every honest American must feel sick and ashamed. Our Helensville correspondent writes:— "As King Tawhiao will be at Rewhiti next week, and as Rewhiti is only a short distance away, I suppose our most re spected citizens will have to go down and pay court to him. Pity we haven't a Mayor, or we might have paraded him for the edification of his sable majesty." A member of the Waikouaiti Rifles did some extraordinary shooting while firing for the district prizes. He failed to hit the target in 21 shots.