The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-07-09
A HUMAN DERELICT.

L
Sent to the supreme court of the
United States on the grounds of being
| accused of an infamous offense over
which, in the opinion of federal dis
trict judge, the court of appeals has
no jurisdiction.
In such, ]. Ralph Burton may find
a few drops of the balm, consolation.
BY this course the fallen senator is
enabled to continue, temporarily in
that exalted office he has blackened
with disgrace. Through the leniency
of a court of justice, a new hope has
been inspired in Mr.. Burton's secret
conference friends, that the sena-
| torial toga may again honor this err
ing citizen, or another of their willing
confederates.
But what of Mr.. Burton and his pit
/ liable condition, that man who has been
reviled and abused by his erstwhile
overt friends until he is approaching
the stage of martyrdom? Could the
brain of man conjure anything more
contemplate, more objectionable, than
the action of those arch betrayers, who
kiss the sandals of the senior Kansas
senator's feet While the dead walls of a
hotel shut out the sound of plotting
voices, and then repudiate him before
the eyes of the world? Sucn treatment,
Burton endures with passiveness that
produces compound of admiration and
contempt.
The question arises, what might be
the result should Burton retaliate?
Suppose he should emerge from the
depths of his infamy and proclaim
what he knows of those fair weather
friends? This, however. will not oc-
cur and it is better that the name of
Kansas is not subjected to the shame
that would follow the exposure.
In the dispatches sent out from Chi
cago during the Republican conven-
ton, appeared the following:
In the corner of the Auditorium no.
tel there stood this afternoon a man
of rather distinguished appearance who
looked at the throng about him much
like small boy, while in disgrace,
looks at the children who refuse to per-
NIT him to join in their play. Occa-
sionaIly a glance would be thrown in
his direction by some western delegate,
who would Immediately hasten by, ap-
pearing to fear that he might be recog-
nized and spoken to. Four years ago
the man who thus stood alone and
friendless led the Kansas delegation to
the Republican national convention
which met in Philadelphia.
1T was he who made a speech to
Theodore Roosevelt serving notice
upon him that he would not be per-
mitted to decline the nomination for
vice president, and that his name
would be presented to the convention
by Kansas regardless of the attitude
of other states 1t was ]. Ralph Bur-
ton, then regarded as a rising man in
politics. and by many thought to step
into the shoes of the late Senator
John ]. Ingalls,
'Since 1900 Burton has been ecelt-
ed to the United States senate, ne has
been brought to disgrace by his action
in accepting what amounts to a bride;
he now stands convicted of a crime,
and with a Jail sentence hanging over
his head he awaits the action of higher
courts to which he has appealed. After
looking at the convention crowd for a
few hours this afternoon Senator Bur
ton took a train for the east, knowing
he might have no part in the proceed
ings that interest his party
Imagine the feeling that surged in
the breast of that forsaken man as he
stood in abject abandonment watching
the detour of Tom Kelly, Dave Null
vane, ]. r. Burrow, Col NJ. A Low and
George w. Finley. Meeting them as