The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-03-26
SENATOR J. R. BURTON
EXPLAINS CONNECTION
WITH R|A[TO COMPANY
Testihes in His Own Behalf In
the Federal Court at
St. Louis.
SAYS HE NEEDED MONEY
And Accepted $500 a Month for
Acting as General Counsel OF
the Concern.
SAYS HE, NEEDED MONEY

ST. LOUIS, March 25.-Previous to the de-
Tense resting its case, late to-day. United
States Senator Joseph Ralph Burton. OF
Kansas, took the stand in his own behalf
in connection with the charge of having il
legally accepted fees from the Rialto Grain
and Securities Company of ST. Louis. When
he had concluded he was excused from
the stand without cross-examnation by
the government.
Senator Burton testified that he had &C
cepted the offer of the Rialto Company TO
act as its general counsel because he had
lost heavily in a financial panic and needed
the $500 a month for which his contract
called. II was assured by the company"
he said. that my services would not be
needed in Washington in any capacity. 1t
was explained that Major Dennis, president
of the Rialto Company had become in
VOWED in trouble growing out of the OPP
crations of the Brooks Brokerage Company
ana that part of my duties would be to de-
IenQ MIN In any criminal action that would
be brought against him. The Rialto Com
pany was also to have the use of my name
ana my services were to have been used in
connection with securities department of
the Rialto Company which at that time was
projected. L expected to familiarize myself
with the condition of the corporations Of
quainted with the officers of the trust COM
panies which make a speciality of handling
securities of that character"
SAW INSPECTOR COCHRAN.
Senator Burton testified that he had
ceived a letter from Thomas Harlan, local
attorney for the Rialto Company, notifying
him of his appointment as general counsel
on Nov, 20, 1902 Reference was made in
that letter to the indictment of Major Den
MIS- continued Senator Burton, land 1
called upon Chief Postoffice Inspector Coch-
ran at Washington and he told me that he
did not know anything about the indict-
ment. l then asked him if there were any
complaints against the concern.
Judge Chester II. Krum, who was con-
Quoting the examination, asked Senator
Burton why he inquired about the COM
plants.
Il had just been employed by the COM
ator Burton, land wished to satisfy myself
regarding its standing in the department
| had been assured that it was all right,
but / wanted to satisfy myself.
Il told Inspector Cochran" continued the
senator, that should anything come to his
notice in the nature of the complaint
he would call my attention 10 ii, as l could
not afford to be connected with a company
that did not obey the laws
Senator Burton explained his visit to the
postoffice with Major Dennis as follows:
Major Dennis came to Washington to con-
suit me in regard to the indictment that
had been returned against him by the fed
eral grand jury. We were driving past the
Postoffice Department and l suggested that
we go in and l would introduce him to the
fourth assistant postmaster general, Mr..
Bristow. Mr.. Brfstow was out, however,
and as we were leaving the building we
passed the room of the chief postoffice in
spector, Cochran. | suggested that We
call | introduced Major Dennis and he
and Mr.. Cochran talked on several matters.
The events that transpired were substan-
TALLY the same as were mentioned by Mr..
4 III @fy,a<.v
Judge Krum asked: Inspector Cochran
stated in his testimony that you had ex-
pressed desire TO him to form practice
before the departments in Washington. Did
you do SOP?
II told Mr.. Cochran" replied Senator
Burton, that other senators and repre-
sentatives had built up large private prac-
tees during their terms of office, and that
/. in a small way, desired TO emulate them.
Mr. Cochran and L from the same
State.
Judge Krum then asked Mr.. Burton to
tell the jury whether at any time he had
ever said anything which could be con-
strued into meaning that his purpose was
to influence them in the performance OF
| their official duties to either Mr.. Cochran
| the postmaster general the fourth assist
| ant postmaster general or the assistant at
torney general in charge of postoffice af-
| fairs.
Senator Burton replied: Absolutely none
whatever"
| Colonel W. w. Smith, of Topeka, Kan.
Senator Burton's private secretary, testi-
| fed that he frequently dictated and signed
letters for Senator Burton, and picked out
/ one of the letters introduced by the govern
| ment as one which he had probably die
| tated. He testified that he had signed three
| of them.
Judge Krum then took the stand in be.
half of his client and the defense Their
| closed its case.
| The government placed a witness on the
| stand to deduce testimony in rebuttal wher
court adjourned until tomorrow morning al
! 10 o'clock.