The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-04-12
Some Queer Condolences in SEN
atOr BurtOn's Case.
Important Events Connected
With His Trials.
HONOR FOR INGALLS,.
Statue Being Unveiled During
First Hearing.
Senator Long Made His Rate
Speech During Second.

Washington. April lat has not
escaped the observing ones that
there have been a number Of
coincidents in Washington in connec-
ton with the troubles of J. r. Burton;
and that they furnish food for rehec-
ton.
Attention was called in these col
umns in December, 1904, to the fact
that, while Senator Burton was on trial
for his liberty and his high position at
that time, there was occurring at the
very moment an event in the nature Of
a tribute to one of his great predeces-
sors, John J. ingalls,.
In this last trial, of week ago.
there was also an event which was al
most Identical in its coincidence and
peculiar application-in the speech of
Senator Long, who was making the
effort of his life on the floor of the
senate on the subject of railroad rates,
when r. Burton's s trial was going on
near s in the supreme court
In the early December days of 1904,
Mr.. Burton's case was up before the
supreme court on the senator's motion
for the court to take Jurisdiction and
hear the case. Arguments for and
against him were being made. His
future was at stake. 1t was a trying
moment for Burton. He appreciated
the situation fully.
Al the very 4OuE lltiS was BOlMS Olis
and the same moment, the employees
of the superintendent of the capitol
building and grounds were rolling into
Statuary hall the marble likeness of
the great Ingalls,.
Here was a subject for thought. One
Kansas senator. who had been in Office
less than four years, and who had
scarcely reached the age when men
reach the pinnacle of success and
achievement, and who had entered the
to.
his attainments and promise was be-
ing tried almost for his life. He was
then making every effort to preserve
his name and reputation and save
himself and his seat in the great body
of which he was a mem Der.
Yonder was the likeness of a great
Kansas senator. who had entered the
body young, ambitious, with the same
desire that Burton had had in 1901 He
had made a name for himself and his
state. He had served three terms. 1S
years, and has been retired only because
of a wave of political excitement con-
trary to his belief and practice.
The coincidence was all the greater
because. as a young man, and flushed
with his first successes In the Kansas
legislature, Burton had himself been
ambitious for the ingalls, seat, and had,
indeed, contested. in the campaign of
1896. with ingalls,, in the effort to OBJ
tain the seat then held by PETER, who
had succeeded ingalls, in 1891.
ingalls, had retired. In his retire
ment he was not iudicious. He made
intemperate remarks and delivered
himself of some unkind utterances in
respect Of his political party. But he
ended his days honored by his people
and state, and with no unclean act or
charge to mar his memory.
So In this latest trial of Mr.. Burton,
as he again sat. but week since, in
the supreme court room, with his coun-
sci and a few faithful friends about
him. another coincidence was being en-
acted.
only few feet away, so near that
one could almost hear his voice, Bur
tons colleague. Long, was making a
great speech on a great issue-regula-
ton of railroad rates. Senator Long
had previously made great speeches.
He had made them in the house OF
representatives, and on the stump in
Kansas, and in the senate on other
subjects; but this was his master effort.
He was speaking in q great cause. and
h g speech was most carefully prepared.
So able was it that it received much
favorable commentator in Washing
ton. on the floor of the senate, in the
newspa pers, and in Kansas
But it was only one of the several
condolences in connection with the sad
history of J. r. Burton that he should
be at the bar of the greatest court in
the country, on trial for his liberty and
his future status while his colleague
was addressing the body of which he
(Burton) was so recently a proud and
active member and participant.