Morgan County democrat. (Versailles, Mo.) 1900-1906, 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, ~ Sustained, Will I'Or-
ever Bar Him From Holding
Public Ofacc In the Init
cd states.

st. Louis, March 29.-Joseph Ralph
Burton, senior United States senator
from Kansas, m a political leader OF
wide influence throughout the west,
was convicted by a jury in the United
States district court, Monday, on the
charge Of accepting compensation to
protect the interests Of the RialtC
Grain Il Securities CO., a so-Callcd yet
rich-1uick' concern, before the post Of.
flee department.
Apart from the maximum penalty OF
a 10000 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 a o%ne-day's jail sentence
and a 81 fine.
The conclusion Of the case, which has
been in progress before Judge Elmer
Is. Adams since last Monday. marks
The first conviction in the history of
the nation of a member Of the United
States senate.
Further the case establishes a prcce-
d"nt Of a prosecution under section
1882 of the Revised Statutes of the
United States. which prohibits mem
berS Of congress for accepting com
pcnsa'ion for their services in any ease
which involves the interest Of the fed
cral government.
Senator Burton's recourse is an ap-
peal TO the United States circuit court
OF appeals. which body Is the final
arbiter of his ease. Pending the final
action Of that tribunal he may give
bond and secure temporary freedom.
The evidence adducod against Senator
Burton may be summarized as follows.
]. In November, 1902, he accepted a
proportion to become general counsel
of the IialO Grain q Securities Co,
a concern whose operations at the time
were under the scrutiny. of .post office
officials.
z. Burton demanded $500 for his
services, but he was satisfied TO be paid
in monthly installmcn,s Of $500 each.
3 SoOn after his employment it de
''I'l''' 'hd' IHc l'd'Idl eIahn jury
was investigating the Brooks Broker
age Co, with which Maj Hugh c. Dem
mis-, president of the IialtU
had ben associated.
l. In December, 1902, Dennis was
indicted, and appealed to Burton for
help.
}. Numerous letters written by Bur
Ton rhnNUGl that tho Ennatnr urp i,gfnr
his influence to prevent the issuance of
a fraud order against the Rialto Grain
d Securities Co.
&. Burton submitted regular reports
TO the Riallo people, telling them how
matters were progressing al Washing
ton, advising them of complaints flied
At IN" post office department, and clos
ing with the assurance that "if you
look after things at your end Of the
line, | 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 $40, 900 in the
panic, and desired to make some
money as a practicing lawyer"
Senator Burton was indicted In Jan
uary last. Although as n member of
congress he could not be arrested until
after that body adjourned, he yolun-
thrily surrendered himself to the pros
"tulinE authorities.
lie was elected to the senate .Janu-
airy 4, 1901. 50 that he still has two
years to serve.
Hnrton's counsel Immediately filed n
motion for a new trial.