The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1904-03-25
GOVERNMENT RESTS
IN BURTON TRIAL

the objection of the defense was sustained
| by the court.
Chief Post-Ofice Inspector Cochran was
then put on the stand to tell of Senator
Burton's endeavors before his department
| on behalf of the Rialto Grain and Securi-
| ties COMPANY He said that the first in
| quiry was made before the Indictment OF
| Major Dennis. and at that time Senator
| Burtor assured the Inspector that all
| trouble was caused by old business of the
Brooks Company. He also said that
! Major Dennis was trying to conduct
perfectly straight and honest business.
After the indictment Of Dennis, Sen
ator Burton and Dennis called on Inspec-
| or Cochran and the Senator said that he
| had brought Dennis around that Cochran
| might see for himself what kind of a look
| ing man he was. At this time he again
sured Cochran that Dennis's business was
perfectly straight.
Inspector Cochran then told of the visit
of Senator Burton on February 3. 1902, in
which he told of certain books of the
Brooks Company which were in the Gus
tudy of the District Attorney at st. Louis.
where they had been used In the trial of
Dennis.
This case was then closed and Attorney
Dyer had no further use for the books, but
1t was understood that Post-Offlce inspect
or Dice intended to turn the books over
to the State authorities. Senator Burton
explained that Dennis wanted to get hold
of the books. and Chief Inspector Cochran
was requested to instruct Inspector Dice to
give them to Dennis. He told the Senator
| that the books were at the disposal of the
District Attorney and that Inspector Dice
would be governed by him.
Senator Burton insisted and the Inspect
or suggested that the question be left to
the Fourth Assistant Postmaster General
This was agreed TO and the matter was
laid before him. His decision was the
same as Inspector Cochran's, but as the
Senator was still insisting that his client
be allowed to have the books Senator
Burton and Inspector Cochran went TO the
Postmaster General
Here a full explanation of the matter
was made. according to the witness, and
telegram. dictated by the Postmaster Cen
eral and signed by Inspector Cochran, was
sent to Inspector Dice. Judge Adams
would not allow this te' gram to be intro
duced as evidence
Inspector Cochran told of another in
terview he had with Senator Burton, in
which the Senator said that he desired TO
act as attorney for the Rialto Grain and
Securities Company. He said that he had
made arrangements with them whereby he
was to receive very handsome salary.
He asked the Inspector to warn him if
he Burton) should overstep the bounds.
The Senator explained that he desired
to recoup some of the losses he sustained
during the panic, when, he said. he had
been forced to pay more than $4,000 which
he did not rightfully owe. According to
the witness. the Senator said that he had
seen Senator Platt. and had been assured
that there was no improperly in his acting
as attorney for the company.
The next witness. Edward w. Chapman,
private secretary to the Chief Post Office
inspector. created considerable amusement
by telling in the most serious manner
that when Senator Burton brought Major
Dennis into the office Of the Chief Post
Ohice Inspector he said that he had done
so that Mr.. Cochran might look Major
Dennis over and see what kind of a man |
he was. He called attention to Major
Dennis's personal appearance, the witness |
said. and asked that Mr.. Cochran observe |
him closely.
Senator Burton smiled broadly at this, |
as did the attorneys. Major Dennis. who |
was seated with the spectators, as immac-
ulately garbed as ever. laughed heartily
After Mr.. Chapman, William ]. Vick-
cry, Post-office Inspector at Cincinnati,
corroborated the evidence of Mr.. Cochran
concerning interviews with Senator Bur-
ton.
Richard II. Lindsay and Jewell H, |
Aubere, newspaper correspondents sta
toned at Washington, told of interviews
they had had with Senator Burton after |
his indictment. The substance of their
testimony was to the effect that he ac-
the Rialto Grain and Securities Company,
put denied any wrongdoing or that he
had violated any statute.
Inspector Cochran, when recalled. told |
of seeing Senator Burton after his indict-
ment. in which the Senator declared that |
he had not practiced before the depart
ment.
Hector McRhea. formerly comptroller
for the Rialto Grain and Securities Com
pany, was the last witness. He told of
the visit of Senator Burton when he re-
ceived the $500 in bills. He said the Sena
tor said that all complaints in Washington
had been cleaned up, and that as he was
leaving Washington he had seryered his
connection with the company.
After Mr.. McRhea, the Government in
troduced two minor letters and rested its
case.
The defense asked the remainder of the
afternoon and evening to prepare its case.
This was granted and the court adjourned.
REPORTS CAPTURE OF SANTANA