The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-11-30
AN onTsIDR 49,.

It is always interesting 10 secure an
estimate of an important event from
an absolutely disinterested standpoint.
Such an opinion is entitled to careful
consideration, especially when it comes
from a recognized authority. There
fore it is of interest to note the COM
ments Of the larger newspapers outside
Of Kansas with reference to the Bur
ton case.
In such cases the personality Of the
accused does not weigh either for or
against him, for it is practically an I'M
known quantity. The things that gov
ern are the evidence brought out in
the trial ard the position of the ac-
cused. 1t is generally recognized that
there is corruption in the United States
senate, and the popular belief is that
the proper way to stop it Is to punish
the Offenders when their guilt is estab-
hshed.
Probably one Of the fairest and
sanest newspapers in the country is
the Chicago News. and in commenting
on the Burton trial, before the sen
tence was passed, it said:
For the second time in two years
trial proceedings in the case Of Senator
j. Ralph Burton of Kansas have re-
suited in signal vindication of the
power Of the law to deal effectively
with influential offenders. In April.
15U4s Burton was convicted of having
violated the federal statutes by using
his official influence with the Dostoff7ce
department to protect a St Louis get
Llch quick company against which
fraud order had been issued The
court stl tnat time commended the jury
Tor returning a just ana true verdict.
On a technical question of i1risdfctfon
/ me supreme court ordered q retrfal
2ul lne second jury merely repeats the
Eerqlct OF the first. The effect Of the
Jason, II sustained, viii be to dis
quarry burton from holding anv fed
e[ai once, no matter what other MN
lsnment may be imposed.
- burton's lawyers announce that
luey VIII apply at once for a new
tLIdl, ana, failing to get if will aDresI
to the Supreme court. IN 1-ia1, ~ 81 81
/ me circumstances of the case IT,
american public is not inclined ~ 80,
- me deIay which this implies r.
meantime Burton proposes 70 =
tain his seat in the senate ~
( 9een convicted twice on questions ~
tact: IL has been shown to the satfe-
! Idcuon OF two juries that he had cIose
dH!lla tlons With the st. Louis seet-rie7
I4lGk company and that he used his
nlgn position to protect that oonoa--y.
against the penal and exemplarv 7,7ao
/ sures which the postoffice deDartYoeS,+
was bound to take in defense of The
' ven tHe majority of the ST.
pfeme court justices, while settinr
aside the verdict on technical grounds
| expressed the belief that BurtoT's cr113
V1cton was justified
1t is encouraging to know that the
agencies of justice have the power to
| reach and punish influential la4sl,,.a.,l-0
ers The Burton case. like Thar Of
senator Mitchell of Oregon. is bound
20 nave a wholesome effect in estab-
/ llshlng better standard of conduct in
/ nigh places. At the same time the
American nation ought not to he
oobhged to rest under the stigma Of
/ ate. He should resign at ones v-bat
ever the prospects of escaping further
punishment on technical grounds MAJ,
pc. If he refuses to resign. the sen
! ale, Whlch IS always the judge of its
OF his seat without further ceremo17v-