Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-11-22
SENATOR BURTON ON TRIAL
For Alleged undergraduates in the
Famous RiaIto Deal.

st. Louis, Nov. 21-The Introduction
of letters and kilograms exchanged be-
tween Senator Burton and Thomas II.
Harlan, an attorney for the Rlalto
Grain and Securities Co., was. this az
ternoOn, the important feature OF the
second day of the trial of United states
Senator Jos. Ralph Burton of Kansas,
in the United States circuit court, on
an Indictment charging that he agreed
to accept and accepted compensation
from the R1alto Co. for using his IN
f1uene while member of the United
States Semitic for the benefit or the
Rialto Co. in matters pending before
the postoflice department, and in which
the government was interested. There
were frequent objections from counsel
for the defence, but in no case did the
defendant question the authenticity OF
the letters or kilograms. basing their
objections on grounds that the con-
tracts were not pertinent to the allega-
tons in the Indictment Mr.. Harlan,
who at Senator Burtons former trial
was called as witness by the defence,
was placed on the stand by the govern
ment, today. and called upon TO iden-
TRY letter-press copies of a letter sent
by MIN to Senator Burton and originals
of letters received by him from Senator
Burton.
The first letter submitted was dated
Nov. IL, 1902. addressed to Senator Bur-
ton and signed by Harlan. Following
is an excerpt from this:
81 hope you received my message to
the effect that this company 0he Rial
to Coz, accepts your terms to act as
counsel at salary of $500 a month,
said service to begin Immediately on
this date, Nov. IS, 1907
In reply, Senator Burton wrote Har
Ian in part as follows:
Il called at the department, this
morning, and find that there are two
complaints lodged against your COM
pany. One by Bella Evans and the 9TH
er by Mrs. X. G. Hont, both of Albany,
N. Y. Without knowing anything about
the merits OF the same l would advise
that all complaints receive special at
tention by your company. No action of
any kind will be taken against you
without my first being notified and ev-
cry opportunity for a full explanation
will be had.
an return, if agreeable, you may
make remittance for my first months
pay"
The following is taken from a letter
dated, Dec. 9, 1902, sent to Senator Bur-
ton by Harlan:
THE cases here, Indictments against
Dennis. president of the Rialto Coz.
are set for trial, Jan. 6, and Judge
Kram and I are preparing now for the
trial.
In replying to a letter from Harlan
stating that an alleged postoffice in
spector had tried to extract money
from the Rialto Co., by virtue of his
official position, Senator Burton wrote
the following:
There is no man by the name of j.
H. Bowman. who is 2 pOstoflice inspec-
tcr--the man operating in Colorado is
also n fraud. There has gone from this
Office no instructions whatever about
the Rialto Co. and there is nothing in
this office against, you at this time
The matter in st. Louis, as you know,
| is in the hands of Mr.. Dice there.
81 would suggest that you prepare
| carefully the case Of Dennis for early
| next month. ! will take charge of
| things at the end of the line"
Four checks for $500 each sent by the
Rialto Co. Of st. Louis, to Senator Bur
ton while he was in Washington, D. c..
| were submitted by the government and
while objected to by the defense on the
grounds of relevancy. Senator Burton
acknowledged the Endorsements on
| their backs.
st. Louis, Nov. 21.-United States
District Attorney Dyer continued read
ing to the jury printed matter issued
by the defunct Rialto & Grain Securi-
ties Co. when the United States cir
cult court opened, today for the sec
ond session of the trial of United
States Senator Joseph Ralph Burton
of Kansas. The pamphlets are en-
closures mentioned in letters offered
in evidence by the government to
show that there was an investigation
of the affairs of the RialtO Company
under way by post office inspectors at
the same time Senator Burton was
engaged by the Rialto Company to act
as it's general counsel at a salary of
$500 month. Col. Dyer Interrupted
his reading to introduce d. M. Rams
dell. sergeant alarms Of the United
States Senate, who produced certain
kilograms.
1t was admitted by the defense that
they had been sent by Senator Burton
t1.s Al hos