The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-01-25
SEN. BUTTONS STATEMENT.
Took the Money but as Fees Con
tends he Was Acting as Attorney.

washington, Jan. Z0.-SeudLOr BUT tOA
said here Saturday night concerning his
Indictment that he took the fee and
performed the services indicated in the
Geographic information, but he says
the services were privileged, and were
not of a kind prohibited by the stat
utes. The information which has been
secured for the consideration of the
grand jury by the inspectors of the
postoff1ce department and the investi-
gators for the department of justice
is that J. r. Burton, while serving in
the United States congress as senator
from Kansas, accepted money from
Major Hugh c. Dennis. of St. Louis, to
pay him for services rendered in one
of the federal departments in WASH
ington.
The information given to the grand
jury was to the effect that the services
rendered for the money paid were per-
formed by going to w. E. Cochrane,
chief of postoff1ce inspectors in Wash
ington. It was not represented to the
United States grand jury that Burton
succeeded in performing any services,
or that he paid any bribes to any gov
eminent employees, but that as con-
gresham he had received money in
case in which the government was in
terested.
AN INFAMOUS CASE.
Senator Burton's name became prom
inent in connection with the famous
Ria1to case, when the ineorporatOrS of
this fraudulent grain commission con-
Germ were being tried by Judge Adams
in St Louis. This resulted in a fraud
order being issued against the concern.
The Judge at that time said it was one
of the most infamous cases that had
ever been brought to his attention and
he was sorry that his court could go no
further. He recommended other action.
Prosecuting Attorney Folk at this
time took an interest in the case and
had all the facts looked up. These he
brought to Washington and brought to
,ff oF pToG
with the information that a prosecution
would involve United States Senator
Burton. The president said that the
prosecution should be made no matter
whom it involved. He sent him to At
torney General Knox with the direction
that the department of Justice be used
in securing the necessary evidence and
getting a federal Indictment if one was
warranted.
The department of justice sent the
papers to the district attorney, Mr..
Dwyer, at ST. Louis, with instructions
that he cooperate with Mr.. Folk in Sc
curing the testimony and an indictment
if necessary.
In securing this testimony the in
spectors for the postoffice department
and the Investigators for the department
of justice were used in getting the in
formation for the grand jury The re-
suit is the Indictment, as photographed
BURTON'S STATEMENT.
Senator Burton said for publication:
Il deny in the most emphatic terms
that I ever attempted to prevent an is
sue of a granted order or represented
my client in any case pending before
the department. Major Dennis had
been indicted by the federal grand jury
in st. Louis, and I was one of the law
yerS who had been employed to defend
him. I had gone on one occasion to st.
Louis to consult with him and he had
come on to Washington to talk to me-
When he came to Washington he
brought COPIES of the indictments AS
his attorney [ went to the postoffice de-
partment and inquired of Mr.. Cochrane,
chief postoffiee inspector, whether there
was any fraud order cases pending be-
| fore the department in which Dennis
was concerned.
'I stated in as direct language as I
could in my conversation with Mr..
Cochrane that I could not be employed
to represent a client in any case where
I would have to oppose the government
in any shape, manner or form. But if
there were any charges against my
client I asked to be informed and re-
| quested him to let me know if any
charges were subsequently brought. /
am going direct to St Louis and am
ready for trial right at this time. shall
insist upon an immediate trial in full
knowledge that 1 am not guilty of any
wrong
The RiaIto Grain and Securities COM
pany of st. Louis was the successor of
Brooks Brokerage and Commission COM
pany: In the old concern Charles. H.
Brook was the principal stockholder, hav-
ing all but two shares OF the $150,000 of
stock In May 1902, the transfer of stock
forming the Rialto company took place.
In this new company Hugh C. Dennis was
the principal stockholder, also secretary
and treasurer. Another member of the
firm was Thomas II. Garland.
It was in the prosecuting of this COM
mission firm for swindling its victims that
Judge Adams said the managers should
receive severer punishment than being de-
priyed of the use of the mails. This re-
suited in action against one or more of
the incorporatorS-
While this criminal action was pending
Senator Burton came to Washington as
the attorney 9or Hugh c. Dennis He
office department and demanded the pa
pers in the fraud order cases. He con-
tended that inasmuch as fraud order