Palestine daily herald. [volume] (Palestine, Tex.) 1902-1949, 1904-04-09

Joseph Ralph Burton. senior United
States Senator from Kansas and a
political leader of wide influence
throughout the West. was convicted
by a jury in the United States Dis
trict Court at St. Louis March 90 of
accepting compensation to protect the
interests of the Rialto Grain & Secur-
tiles Company. n so-called ''get-rich-
quick concern" before the Postoffice
Department at Washington.
The Senator was found guilty on
six of the seven counts in the indict-
ment. On the other count. the third
one. verdict OF not guilty was re-
turned. This third count is similar
in charge to that of counts one and
two. and for this reason the govern
ment announced at the beginning OF
the trial that ii did not desire any con-
viction.
The court ruled that the Senator's
Sc<d1ef s5.8oD be continued, and that
the defendant report from time to
time pending arguments on the motion
for arrest OF judgment and other le-
gal steps taken prior TO the appeal to
the United States Court OF Appeals.
The case establishes the precedent
of a prosecution under section 1882
of the revised statutes of the United
States. which prohibits members of
Congress from accepting compensa-
ton for their services in any case
which involves the interest of the fed
eral government.
Senator Burton's recourse is an APP
peal to the United States Circuit Court
of Appeals. which body is the final ar
bitter of his case. Pending the final
action of that tribunal he may give
bond and obtain temporary freedom.
In the course of the trial it develop
ed that during his term Of Office Sen
ator Burton had a total income from
his law practice at Washington
to nearly $4,000 a year.
The evidence adduced against Sena-
tor Burton may be summarized as
F'irst-In November. 1902. he accept
ed a proposition to become general
counsel of the Rialto Grain & Sccuri-
ties Company. concern whose opera
tons at the time were under the scrut-
my OF postoffice officials.
Second-Burton demanded $4,000 for |
his services. but he was satisfied TO !
be paid in monthly installments of |
$500 each.
Third-Soon after his employment it |
developed that the federal grand jury |
was investigating the Brooks Broker
age Company. with which Major Hugh |
G. Dennis. president of the Rialto |
has been associated.
Fourth-In December 1902. Dennis |
vas indicted: appealed to Burton for (
help.
Fifth-Numerous letters written by I
Burton showed that the Senator was
ising his influence to prevent the in
,uance of a fraud order against the
2ialto Grain & Securities Company.
Sixth-Burton submitted regular re-
,orts to the Rialto people telling them
low matters were progressing at
advising them OF reports
He'd at the Postoffice Department and
closing with the assurance that If
'ou look after things at your end Of
he line will attend to matters
lere."
Senator Burton was indicted in jan
lary last. Although. as member Of
congress he could not be arrested ul-
IL after that body adjourned. he vol !
Honored Name in Old Place.
Within a few weeks a Won Molthe
will again figure as head Of the gen
raj staff of the Prussian army. Won
ioltke II. is the nephew OF the great
trategist of the later nineteenth cen
ury. TO whom for long years he acted
S aid-de-camp and will consequently
e no stranger to the palatial quar-
srs OF the Konigsplatz when he enters
hem as chief Count Helmuth never
a brigade or a division.
luch less a corps. On the day OF