The Coalville times. [volume] (Coalville, Utah) 1894-1923, 1904-04-08

Joseph Ralph Burton. senior Ualted
States Senator from Kansas and a
political leader OF wide influence
throughout the West. was convicted
by n Jury In the United States Dis.
triot Court at st. Louis March 80 of
accepting compensation to protect the
interests OF the Rialto Grain & sscur.
tiles Company. n so-callod ''get.rich.
quick concern" before the Postollce
Department at Washington.
The Senator was found guilty on
six Of the seven counts In the lndlct.
ment. on the other count, tho third
one. a verdict OF not guilty waa re-.
turned. This third count Is similar
In charge 20 that OF counts one and
two, and for this reason tho govern
ment announced at the beginning OF
the trial that II did not desire any con.
victlon.
The court ruled that the Senator'S
bond OF $4,000 be continued. and that
the defendant report from time TO
time pending arguments on tho motion
for arrest OF judgment and other 10.
gal steps taken prior 10 the appeal to
the United States Court Of Appeals
The case establishes the precedent
OF a prosecution under section 1852
OF tho revised statutes OF the United
States. which prohibits members OF
Congress from accepting compensa'
ton for their services In any case
which involves the Interest OF the fed.
eral government.
Senator Burton's recourse Is an APP
peal TO the United States Circuit Court
OF Appeals. which body is the fnal ar.
bitter OF his case. Pending the hnal
action OF that tribunal he may give
bond and obtain temporary freedom.
In the course OF the trial II develop
cd that during his term OF ONCE Sen.
ator Burton had a total income from
his law practice at Washington
amounting TO nearly $4,000 a year.
The evidence adduced against Sena
tor Burton may be summarized as
follows;
First-In November. 1909, he accept.
ed proposition TO become general
counsel OF the Ratio Grain q Securi'
ties Company. concern whose opera
lions nj the time were under the acrut.
my OF postoiIice officials.
Second-Burton demanded $4,000 for
his services. but he was satisfied to
be paid In monthly lnstallments OF
$500 each.
Thlrd-soon after his employment Il
developed that the federal grand jury
WAS investigating the Brooks Broker.
age Company, With which Major Hugh
G. Dennis, president OF the Rlalto
Company, has been associated.
Fourth.-In December, 1902, Dennis
WAS Indicted; appealed to Burton for
help.
Fifth-Numerous letters written by
burton showed that the Senator was
using his influence to prevent the In.
auance OF a fraud order against the
Rialto Grain a Securities Company.
slxth-Burton submitted regular re-
portB 10 the Rialto people telling them
how matters were progressing at
washington, advising them of reports
oIed nj the PostofIoe Department and
closing with the assurance that III
Won look after things at your end OF
Inc line win attend TO matters
here"
senator Burton was indicted in Jan.
nary last Although, as a member OF
Congress he could not be arrested UNI
M after that body adjourned. he vol
= .-o~~~~~~~--~s ->-~-~~-
Honored Name In Old Place.
within n few weeks u Won A4oltk0
vnl again figure as head OF the gen
eraI stan OF the Prusslan army. Won
Woltlte II. is the nephew OF the great
strateglst OF the later nineteenth cen
I 49, ..t..v., f,r long NnnF4 hO acted