The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1904-04-01
BURTON OF KANSAS
IS FOUND GUILTY
The Jury Says He Used His Official
Influence for Money.
WORKED FOR RlALIO GRAIN CO.
The Verdict. 90 Sustained. VIII Tor
ever har Him Prom Holding
rahIie oface ia the init
ed states.

81 Louis. March % 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 district court. Monday. on the
charge Of accepting compensation 10
protect the interests OF The Rialto
Grain a Securities Co. so-called get
rich-qDick' concern. before the post Of
hcc department
Apart from the maximum penalty of
a $4,000 fine and two years imprlson-
ment which the court may impose SEN
ator Burton Is forever barred from
holding any public Office in the United
States.
The minimum penalty prescribed by
the statute is a one-day's Jail sentence
and a 81 fine
the conclusion Of the ease. which has
been IN progress before Judge Elmer
IS Adams since last Monday. marks
me nrsf conviction in the history OF
the nation of a member OF the United
States senate
Further the case establishes a preoe-
dent of a prosecution under section
ils- q The Revised Statutes Of rbe
United States. which prohibits mem
uers ~ conEress Tor accepting c9.n-
pensa'ion FOR their services in any case
which involves the interest OF NE fsi-
eral government.
Senator Burron's recourse is an an
peal TO The United States circuir cour-
OF appeals. which body Is the final
ai0i'tT ~ his case. Pending the final /
action oi thar tribunal he NAV give !
uo-d a-d secure temporary freedom. 4
Me- evidence adduced against Senator I
Burton may be- Summarized as follows.
ia November. 1902. he accented a
UT fon 10 become general counsel
az tne hialo Grain a Securities Co
a concern whose operations AZ the time
were under The scrutiny Of post oHcs
officials
? Barton demanded g zoo for his
services. nut he was satisfied 70 be paid
IN monthly installments Of $500 each.
- soon after Ais employment il de-
'eloped that the federal grand Jury
a. investigating tie Brooks Broker
ige Co with which Maj Hugh c. Den
MS. president OF the Rialto conp,rv
lad been associated
in December. 1912. Dennis ues
Aeleiei and appealed 20 Burton or
eip
. Numerous letters written ~ Brr- !
on showed that the senator was usin-
rs Influence 20 prevent the Issuance Of
fraud order against the Rialto Grain
Securities Co
O. Burton submitted regular reno-,s
the Rialto people. telling them how
iatters were progressing az Washing
IN advising them OF complaints filed
The post Office department. and clos
X with the assurance that IL Won
OK afier things az your end OF the
re- VIII attend 10 matters here" \
Testimony q post Office officials r
az Senator Burton had told them he q
tended 20 practice before the deparf- II
emf that he had lost $1,000 In the =
INC ana desired 70 make some q
oney as practicing LAWYER n
senator Burton was indicted in Ian N
~ iasr Although p a member Of n
A-ress Re could not be arrested until u.
- that body adjourned. he volun- W
'liF surrendered himself 10 the prog-
ltlnr authorities
TIE vas elected 20 the senate Iarr-
+ lri 50 that he s,il has two s.
--s 20 serve :.
iHrion : counsel Immediately hlcd a m
'icc ior new trial ~