The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1904-04-01
SENATOR FROM KANSAS
CONVICTED OF BRIBERY
T. r. BURTON, SENIOR U. S. SEN.
ATOR FROM KANSAS.
Charge is Accepting Money for Re
presenting Glen: Bcsore P.
o. Department.

Joseph RalpR Burton. senior Cnlteo
States senator from Kansas. was con-
victed by a jury in the United States
district court at ST. Louis of having
accepted compensation to protect the
interests of the Rialto Grain and Sc
curities company OF St. Louis before
the postoffice department. The jury
deliberated Al hours. A motion for a
new trial was Immediately filed by
the counsel for the senator. Judge
Adams thereupon ordered that Sena-
tor Burton appear in court either in
person or by proxy from day to day
until the court has heard the argu-
ments for new trial.
For a time there threatened to be
disagreement in the jury The jury
was brought before Judge Adams
who asked the cause for the long de-
lay. He was told that eleven jurors
had agreed but the twelfth stood
alone.
The court admonished the lone
juror that the expense of new trial
should not be incurred because of
failing to agree with the majority OF
the jurors. 4 precedent was quoted
showing that the majority OF the
jurors should decide the case before
them and a verdict be rendered ac-
cordingly. The jury was then told to
go back and poll its vote once more.
Soon afterwards the jury reported,
bringing in a averdict, but Judge
Adams found that the third count in
the Indictment had not been consider
ed. and again he sent the jury back to
consider the case, without having an
nounced the verdict returned.
The third time the jury entered the
court room the result OF its delibera-
tions was announced, and United
States Senator Burton stood convict
ed on the charge brought against
him in the indictment.
Senator Burton looked the jurors
in the face as they entered. When
Judge Adams found that the jury had
made no disposition OF count three,
the foreman said the jury had agreed
as to that and the judge instructed
the jurors to retire and include their
findings as to count three in the writ
ten verdict.
During the IS minutes the jury was
out not a word was spoken in the
court room. Senator Burton sat i'm
movable looking neither to the right
nor to the left When the jury re-
turned again to the court room
their verdict was: I'VE, the jury, find
the defendant guilty on counts, one,
two, six. eight and nine in the indict-
mert and not guilty on count three.
There was no preceptible change
in Senator Burton's countenance
when the verdict was read. Judge
Krum asked to have the jury polled.
Each answered that the verdict was
his own. Judge Krum forthwith pre-
sented motion for a new trial. The
court replied that the bond OF $1,000
was entirely sufficient. The court did
not pass sentence.
If the verdict is sustained SEN
ator Burton will lose his seat in the
senate and forever be prohibited from
holding any Office OF public trust.
Each count constitutes seperate Of
Tense and Senator Burton could re-
ceive a penitentiary sentence OF two
wears or a fine of $4,000 on each
count. Senator Burton's resources
is all appeal to the United States cir
cuit court OF appeals which body is
the final arbiter in his case