The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1904-04-09
BURTON SENTENCED
Convicted u. S. Senator Given Six
Months and Fine of $4,000.
CASE WILL NOW BE APPEALED

The Court Severely Scored the Ae'
eused, Saying Public Office Cannot
Be Prostituted For Private Gain, and
Then Passed Sentence.
st. Louis, April 7.-Senator j. X.
Burton, OF Kansas. was sentenced TO
six months imprisonment In jail and
to pay a fine of $4,000 for using his in
huence before the postoiIlce department
in behalf OF the Rialto Grain and Sc
curities company, Of St Louis, and for
having received payment from the COM
pany for his services.
When Senator Burton. accompanied
by his attorney, came into the United
States district court. Judge Adams
spoke of the motion that had been
filed for n new trial and for arrest OF
judgment The court. after briefly re-
viewing the motions. oyerruled them
both. The court then said to the de-
PENDANT:
Have you anything to say as to why
sentence should not be passed upon
you?"
Evidently suppressing his emotions
with a strong effort. Senator Burton
stood leaning with both hands on a
chair back, as he said: Your honor
will please allow me to respectfully
decline to say anything"
The court said. After fair and i'm
partial trial by a jury OF exceptional
intelligence you have been found guilty
of the offenses charged In the indict-
ment against you.
"A motion for n new trial In your
behalf has afforded me an opportunity
carefully 10 review and consider the
evidence. As a result Of this | am sat
isfed that the jury reported the just
and true verdict. The evidence album
dainty warranted their verdict. and
find no reason. either in the law gov
erning the case or In the proceedings
attending the trial for disturbing H.
"Your conviction necessarily results
In your punishment It's importance,
in my opinion. is not confined to It's
effect upon yOu.
Your exalted station in life. and the
character OF your Offense. give unusual
significance to your conviction. II
demonstrates that the law OF the land
Is equal 10 any emergency and that it
can be administered regardless Of the
personality and station Of the accused.
II also demonstrates to all the people
that public Office cannot be prostituted
to self-serving purposes. and that pub
lie office is not sure or a safe pass
port TO private thrift
1T is neither my pleasure nor pur-
pose 10 impose any unnecessary pun
ishment.
81 think the majesty Of the law will
be sufficiently INDICATED and the pub
In welfare sufficiently safeguarded by
imposing a single sentence. warranted
as it is on any one OF the six counts,
indictments which you were convicted.
This sentence will be that you be
confined in the Iron county jail for
period Of six months. and that you pay
q fine OF $500
At the conclusion Of the sentence,
Senator Burton. who had not taken
his eyes from the court. and who had
scarcely moved as he supported him
self by the chair back turned around.
sat down with his head bowed and his
eyes on the floor His attorney. Judge
Krum. Immediately filed a bill OF ex-
ceptions in the case and offered bond
for SO. 900. which was accepted.
The case will now be appealed 10
the United States district cOuTt OF APP
peals. the highest tribunal in the mat
ter
Senator Burton, who is a senior SEN
ator from Kansas. was convicted after
an exhaustive trial. In which various
letters from him to the Rialto Grain
and Securities company. the checks
which he received in payment for his
services in behalf Of the concern before
the pOstofice department, and the tes-
timony of numerous agents of the gov
eminent were introduced.