The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1904-04-14
BURTON SENTENCED
He Declines TO Say Anything in De-
fense of Himself
DEGRADED FROM HIGH POSITION
Judge Adams Says the Verdict OF the
Jury Demonstrates That Public VI.
flee Cannot Be Prostituted to Self
Serving Purposes.

st. Louis, Special.-United States
Senator ]. R. Burton, Of Kansas, was
sentenced to six months imprisonment
In Jail and a fine Of $500 for using
his influence before the Postoffice De-
partment in behalf of the Rialto Grain
and Securities Company, OF St. Louis,
and for having received payment from
the company for his services.
When Senator Burton, accompanies
by his attorney, came into the United
States District Court, Judge Adams
spoke of the motions that had been
filed for new trial and for arrest Of
judgment The court, after briefly re-
viewing the motions, overruled them
both. The court then said to the de-
fendant: ~
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 room was almost empty
with the exception Of few persons
who had remained out Of curiosity and
the silence was almost oppressive as
Judge Adams, in low tone, began de-
livering the sentence. The court said:
81 am satisfied that the jury reached
the Just and true result. The evidence
abundantly warranted their verdict
and l found no reason, either in the
law governing the case or in the pro-
ceedirgs attending the trial, for dis
turbing it.
Your exalted station in life, and the
character Of your offense, give unusual
significance to your conviction. 1t de-
monstrates that the law of the land ID
equal to any emergency and that 1t
can be administered regardless OF the
personality and station Of the accused.
It also demonstrates to all the people
tnat public office cannot be prostituted
to self-serving purposes, and that pub
Ec office is not a sure or safe passport
to private thrift.
"The humiliation attending your
conviction and the statutory disqualih-
cations resulting therefrom which for-
ever incapacitates you from holding
any office OF honor, trust or pront
under the government OF the United
States are in themselves heavy punish
ment for your offenses, and leave but
little in the way of severity which
could be added.
"It is neither my pleasure nor pur-7s
nose to impose any unnecessary pun
ishment.
81 think the majesty Of the law VIII
be sufficiently vindicated and the puD-
lie welfare sufficiently safeguraded Dy
imposing a single sentence, warranted
AZ il is on any one Of the six counts
of the indictments on which you were
convicted.
This sentence will be that you be
confined in the Iron county jail for a
period Of six months, and that you pay
a fine Of s2,5OO."
At the conclusion Of the sentence
Senator Burton, who had not taken his
ewes from the court and who had
scarcely moved, as he supported him
self by the chair back, turned ana sat
down, with his head bowed and MS
eyes on the floor. His attorney, Judge
Krum, Immediately filed a bill OF ex,
ceptions in the case and offered a Dono
for $4,000, which was accepted.
Senator Burton declined to discuss
tbh sentence. The case now VIII DS
appealed to the United States DISTRICT
Court of Appeals.