The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-03-25
TESTIMONY IN DETAIL.
The Examination of Postofice In
spector Cochran.

me examination OF Hostomce IN
spector Cochran.
ST. Louis, March 25.-According to a
statement made by Senator Burton to
William E. Cochran, chief postoffice in
spector, and by him told on the wit
ness stand Thursday afternoon, Senator
Burton has paid $4,000 of debts
Mr.. Cochran believes the senator said
he had done this since his election to
the senate, but the chief inspector is
not absolutely certain as to the time in
which Burton said he had accomplished
this
AS Senator Burton is not known to
have had any source of income during
recent years other than his salary as
senator, unless he derived it from the
interest on the funds of the Kansas
state treasury deposited in the banks
prior to 1903, which has been suspected,
this is looked upon as a remarkable ac-
complishment. That is, he was not
income than that mentioned until his
connection with the ''get-rich-quick
companies was unearthed.
Chief Inspector Cochran states that
Senator Burton further told him that he
wished to practice before the depart
in that manner, but that he did not
propose to act in opposition to the gov
eminent, and he requested Mr.. Cochran,
If the latter discovered him going too
d
other senators had made a great deal
of money in that way and he saw no
reason why he should not do SO also.
Chief Inspector Cochran was placed
on the witness stand to give this testi-
mony for the government Thursday
afternoon. District Attorney Dyer on
direct examination asked:
Did you, between December 1 and
March rs, see Senator Burton at the
postoffice department in Washington? ''
Al did
Q.-What and when was the first time
you saw him when any allusion was
made to you with reference to the
Rialto company?
Al cannot fix the date definitely. 1t
IS my recollection that the first visit
was before the investigation of the COM
pany was ordered, and that I gave him
the information that there was nothing
against the company.
Q--Did he see you again after the
Hout and Evans complaints had come
in?
Ayes, after the case was made up
for investigation.
Q.-What transpired when he was
told of the complaints.
Ale said all the difficulty arose
from Major Dennis connection with the
Brooks Brokerage company, which had
got into trouble, but that Dennis had
formed a new company.
Q.-What did Senator Burton say
about the Rialto company?
Ale said it was doing a straight
business.
Q.-When and where did you next see
Senator Burton?
Al cannot fix the exact date bll.
it was at the department
Q.-What transpired al that time?
A.-The senator asked if certain per-
sons, who, he said, claimed to be post
office inspectors were such. / gave hin
the information that the persons nam
ed were not inspectors.
Odd he ask anything else?
Ale said he merely wanted tc
know if these persons were inspectors
and if so, if they were investigating
the Rialto company.
Q.-When did you next see Senator
Burton when the Rialto matter was
referred to?
Al believe it was on the 24th OF
January, 1903.
Q.-Let me refresh your memory
company with Major Dennis in De
cember?
Ayes, did.
Q.-What did he want then?
Ale said he wanted me to meet
Major Dennis and see what sort of n
man he was, and he again assured me
that the troubles of the Rialto COM
pany grew out of Major Dennis con
nection with the Brooks company.
Q.-Was that the first time you had
seen DenIlSs
Alt was. He was introduced to
me by the senator.
Odd Senator Burton say anything
further?
Ale said he did not wish to an
tagonize the department.
Q.-When was the next time you
saw Senator Burton?
A.-On January "a, 1903, at my Of
flee.
Q.-What was the occasion of his
visit then?
Ale stated that Inspector Dies
here at st. Louis had taken some
books or records of the RiaIto company
States district court, and had turned
Burton asked that Mr.. Dice be ordered
to return the books.
Q.-What further was done?
Al told him the persons who want
ed the books should see the United
States district attorney here and that
Mr.. Dice would be governed by what
he said. I would not make such an
order, and we went to see the fourth
assistant postmaster general.
Q.-What was done there?
A.-Practically the same request was
made, with the same response.
Q.-What was that?
A.-The fourth assistant postmaster
general also declined to give the order
| Senator Burton wanted.
Q.-Then what followed?
| Ave went to the postmaster gen,
eral. all three of US I believe. and after
considering the matter for some time