New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-24
INDICT SENATOR BURTON.
HE DENIES CHARGES.
Accused of accepting Money for
Interceding zcith Postal Officials.

st. Louis, Jan 23.-The Federal Grand Jury
to-day returned an indictment against Joseph
Ralph Burton, United States Senator from
Kansas, charging him. nine counts. with ac-
cepting five checks of 5000 each from the Rialto
Grain and Securities Company between Novem-
Der % 1902 and March %. 1903, while a United
States Senator for his alleged services in inter
ceding with the Postmaster General chief in
spector and other high postofice officials to in
duce them to render a favorable decision in mat
ters affecting the permission of the Rialto COM
pany to use the mails Major Hugh c. Dennis
president OF the company. and ". b. Mehaney
associated with him. are named In the indict-
ment as the men who made the checks payable
to Mr.. Burton.
For several days past william f. Cochran,
chief postoffice inspector from Washington,
Major Dennis and Mehaney have been before
the grand jury, and il is believed that the in
dictment found their testimony. The
purpose Of Senator Burton's alleged intercession
was, It is stated to prevent the issuance Of
fraud order against the Rialto Grain and secur-
ities Company. AS a result OF his connection
with the company Dennis indicted In both
the federal and State courts, but the United
States court acquitted him. Four indictments
found in State courts against him still pend
ing. The Rialto Grain and Securities Company
has been under investigation ny the State courts
for several months on account Of internal
troubles and the complaints OF investors. At
time the companys offices were closed by
court officials on attachments secured by alleged
creditors, but were reopened after arrangements
to satisfy the claims had been made.
The penalty provided conviction for the
offence with which Senator Burton is charged is
q penitentiary sentence Of not more than two
years and a fine OF not more than $1,000 and
so convicted shall be rendered incapable OF
holding Office Of trust honor or emOlument un-
der the government United States Senators are
frtar,a lsv,a nI
crimes while the Senate is in session United
States District Attorney Dyer expects that Sena-
tor Burton will at once make arrangements for
a speedy trial
pressed great surprise this afternoon when he
learned that he had been indicted IN St Louis,
and said he could not imagine why the indict-
ment had been found. He was employed as at
torney for Dennis to defend him against in
dictment- The only connection with the Post
office Department Mr. Burton further said was
when Dennis came here to consult him as TO the
proceedings. and he accompanied Dennis 10 the
Postofiice Department and asked any charges
had been filed. He also asked Inspector Coch-
ran, Senator Burton added. TO inform him if
charges were filed against Dennis in future
Senator Burton said he specifically declared
that he did not appear against the government
in any manner. He says he will 60 at once 10
st. Louis and defend the case, and has no doubt
he will be able TO make it perfectly clear that
there was no reason for bringing the indict-
ment
My connection with Dennis was simply that
Of a lawyer professionally employed TO defend
suit or prosecution continued Senator Burton.
Dennis was having some trouble with his COM
pany besides the indictment which was brought
against him, and he came here to consult me re-
garding the case. II was while he was here that
we visited the POstoffiCe Department and made
the inquiries regarding charges against Dennis -
Senator Burton says that Is the only connec-
tion he has had with the Postof1ce Department
relating to this