The Globe-republican., 1904-04-07
BURTON IS
SENTENCED.
Six Months in Jail and Fine Of
s2,5oo.
ETY. 7HIRTyTWo COUNTIES IN CASE TO Be APPEALED
Judge Adams Says jury's Yer.
. dict Was AbundantIy
Warranted.

St. Louis, Mo-, April 6.-United States
Senator Burton of Kansas was today SEN
fenced to six months imprisonment in
the Iron county jail aud fined 81. 800 for
having been guilty of selling his influence
before the postofiice department in the
case of the Riato Grain Il Securities
Company, the St. Louis get-rlch'quick
concern
Senator Burton. accompanied by his
leading attorney, Judge Chester H. klnm,
came into the United States district court
at L 80 p. m. "A case was being tried
and judge Adams granted recess and
took up the Burton case. The judge
summoned Burton to stand up and then
spoke of the motions that had been filed
| for a new trial and for an arrest of
Judgment. The court. after briefly re-
viewing the motions, overruled them
both. Then the court said to the de.
fendant:
"Have you anything to say as to why
sentence should not be passed upon you?"
Trembling and evidently suppressing
bis emotion with strong effort, Burton,
standing with both hands on chair back
said:
"Your honor will please allow me to
respectfully decline to say anything"
The court room was almost empty,
with The exception of the few persons
interested in the previous case, and who
bad remained out of curiosity, and the
silence was almost oppressive as Judge
Adams, in low, modulated tone, began
the sentence to be passed. lie said:
"After u fair and impartial trialaby an
exceptionally Intelligent jury, you have
been found guilty of the oftenscs charged
ia the Indictment against You, The mo-
ton for new trial In your behalf has af-
forled me opportunity to carefully review
and consider the evidence, As a result
Of this, am satisfied that the jury
reached a Just and true result. The cyl
dence abundantly warranted their ver-
dict and find no reason either in the law
governing the case or in the proceedings
attending the trial for disturbing 1t.
"four conviction necessarily results in
your punishment. Its Importance, in my
opinion, is not confined to Its effect upon
you. Your exalted station In life, and
character of your offending give unusual
significance to your conviction. 1t
demonstrates that tile law of the land is
equal TO eny emergency and that it can
be administered regardless Of the person.
ality or the station of the accused. 1t al
so demonstrates to all people that public
office can not be prostituted to self serv-
iug purposes, and that public office Is
not sure and safe passport to private
theft.
"The humiliation attending yOnr CON-
victiOn and the statutory disuualficatons
resulting tlerefrom. which forever in
capacitates you from holding any office Of
honor, trust or profit, under the govern.
ment Of the United States are in them
selves heavy puuishments iol yonr offenses
and leave but little in the way Of severity
which could be added.
ut Is neither my pleasure nor purpose
TO Impose any unnecessary punishment.
II think the demands of the law will
be sufficiently indicated and the public
welfare sufficiently safeguarded by I'M
posing single sentence warranted as tits
on any one Of The six counts Of the In.
dictment OH which you were convicted.
"This sentence will be that you be con.
fined in the Iron county Jail for q period
Of six months and that you pay fine of
$2,5OO"
AT the conclusion Of the sentence, Sen
ator Burton, who had not taken bis eyes
from the court and who had scarcely
moved as he supported himself by the
chairback, turned and sat down, with bis
head bowed and his eyes on the floor
Attorney Kruln Immediately filed the
bill Of exceptions In the case and offered
$40 900, which was accepted as bond.
| Senator Burton and Mr.. Krum then hur-
riedly departed from the courtroom. In
tile corridor Senator Burton stopped long
enough to light cigar and then walked
to hotel. declined to discuss the sem
tence, but said he would depart tonight
for bis home in Kansas.
The case will be appealed to the
United States district court Of appeals.
| At the hotel, Senator Burton said 10