Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1905-11-25
SENATOR BURTON
PLACED ON STAND
Tells of His Connection With
the Rialto Company.
TESTIMONY CLEAR AND FULL

He Answered A.. Questions Put to
Him by Attorneys Without Hesita-
tion or Forethought-He was AS
sured that Company Was All Right
st. Louis, Nov. 24.-Senator Burton
took the stand in his own behalf to
day. Before any testimony was intro
duced Judge Vandeventer delivered an
opinion in which he held that the ae-
tense would be permitted to introduce
evidence to which an objection was
sustained yesterday for the purpose OF
showing tlat tAe postoffice inspectors
had communicated to tne Rialto Grain
and Securities company, at time pre-
vious to dLe employment of Senator
Burton by the RiaDto company that the
investigation had shown the necessity
for the issuance of fraud order.
Under this ruling, Postmaster M. G.
Price was recalled by the defense.
MIR. Price testified that ne lad made
report to his superior, Inspector
Dice, That the condition of the RiaIto
company was not such that fraud or
der was necessary but said ne did not
remember telling any one connected
with the Rialto company anything to
mat effect.
Senator Burton was then called to
J.
tions in clear, distinct voice, and
apparently without hesitation or fore
thought He frequently anticipated
his counsels question beginning his re-
plies before the completion of the ia
terrogation.
The senator's testimony in the be-
ginning, followed closely that given in
the former trial, with the exception
that in describing his conversation
with Thomas B. Harlan, Senator Bur
ton laid special stress upon the fact
that before the conversation relating
to his employment by the Rialto com
pany was started the train in which
they were enroute from st. Louis to
Chicago, had crossed the Mississippi
and was in Illinois outside the juris-
diction of the court between which the
case is to be tried.
Senator Burton testified tha during
his conversation with Harlan VINO was
the representative OF the Rialto cOmpa-
ny he (Burton) used the following
words in connection with his proposed
employment:
Now Mr.. Harlan let me understand
you am a senator. This company is
using the mails extensively. Is it con
temp ated in any way that l am eX-
pected to use my influence in the de-
partment directly or indirectly?"
HIS answer was very emphatic. lie
said:
Now, senator, we do not want any
influence in the department"
Referring to the compensation offer
ed by the Rialto company in connec
tion with his employment as counsel
to appear in the defense of its presi
dent Major Dennis, Senator Burton
said:
Il told him I did not want to enter
a case of that kind as counsel for a
rich man for nominal fee of $40C
or $500, and suggested a contract OF
| $500 month for seven months. When
| I received the letter notifying me OF
my appointment by the Rialto compa
ny, went down to see Chief Postofice
Inspector Christian and inquired re
garding complaints because was nat
urally anxious to learn the standing Of
the concern with which I was to be
identified"
Senator Burton testified that Coca
ran replied that there were two com
| plants.
81 then told Christian that I nat
| been led to believe that the complaint
| grew out of the operations of a former
concern, and that l had been assured
that the Rialto company was all right
l tnen inquired casually about the pro
ceedure in cases of investigation, tell
ing Cochran that had an intention OF
appearing as the company's attorney
and that the questions were promptet
| by a desire to ascertain what to avoit
| in my dealings with the department"