The Forrest City times., 1904-04-01
BURTON OF KANSAS
 IS FOUND GUILTY
The Jury Says He Used His Official
 Influence for Money.
WORKED FOR RIAlTO GRAIN co.
The Verdict, If Sustained, Will Tor ever Bar Him From Holding Public Office in the Unit
 ed states.

St Louis, March 29.-Joseph Ralph Burton, senior United States senator from Kansas, and a political leader of wide influence throughout the west, was convicted by jury in the United States district court, Monday, on the charge of accepting compensation to protect the interests of the Rialto Grain & Securities Co.,, a so-called "set- rieh-quick" concern, before the post of flee department.
 Apart from the maximum penalty of a $l0000 fine and two years imprison- ment which the court may impose, Sem ator Burton is forever barred from holding any public office in the United States.
 The minimum penalty prescribed by the statute is one-day's jail sentence and $1 fine.
 The conclusion of the case, which has been in progress before Judge Elmer $. Adams since last Monday, marks the hrst conviction in the history of the nation of member of the United States senate.
 Further the case establishes a prece- dent of a prosecution under section ltS2 of the Revised Statutes of the United States, which prohibits mem bers of congress for accepting com pensation for their services in any case which involves the interest of the fed eral government.
 Senator Burton's recourse is an ap- peal to the United States circuit court Of appeals, which body is the final arblter Of his case. Pending the final action of that tribunal he may give bond aud secure temporary freedom. The evidence adduced against Senator Burton may be summarized as follows:
 l. In November 1902, he accepted a proposition to become general counsel or the Rialo Grain & Securities G.. a concern whose operations at the time were under the scrutiny of post office officials
 7. Burton demanded S2,500 for his services, but he was satisfied to be paid in monthly installments of $500 each.
 $. Soon after his employment 1t de- veloped that thes federal grand jury was Investigating the Brooks Broker age Co.,. with which Maj Hugh c. Den his, president of the Rialto company, had bean associated.
 4. In December 1902, Dennis was indicted, and appealed to Burton for help
 3. Numerous letters written by Bur ton showed that the senator was using his influence to prevent the issuance of fraud order against tEe Rialte Grain X Securities Co.
 6. Burton submitted regular reports 10 the Rialto people, telling them how matters were progressing at Washing ton, advising them of complaints filed at the post office department, and clos ing with the assurance that If you look after things at your end of the line, l will attend to matters here"
 Testimony of post office officials that Senator Burton had told them he intended to practice before the depart ment; that he had lost $70,000 in the panic, and desired to make some money as a practicing lawyer"
 Senator Burton was indicted in Jan- uary last. Although as a member of congress he could not be arrested until after that body adjourned, he volun- tarily surrendered himself to the pros- ecuting authorities
 He was elected to the senate Janu- ary 1, 1901, so that he still has two years to serve
 Burton's counsel immediately filed motion for a new trial.
 THEY WENT TnGETHEQ