The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-01-27

engaged him in conversation in the
cIoalzrooms near the entrance TO the
chamber The employe suddenly turn
ed the senator so that he faced the
chamber. and the attention of officials
previously having been directed toward
/ the door, he was seen from the cham
Der. It was then certified that Senator
Burton was in attendance, and his mile
age was paid to him
some details need to be filled out to
grasp the full meaning Of this item.
so small as to its subject and 50 big
with significance. Senator Burton was
convicted of appearing before the post
Office department in consideration of
a retainer, to have Cancelled a fraud
order against a get-rich-quick concern.
When he did this Burton was guilty of
the treachery a lawyer would commit
if he took pay from both sides Of a
case at litigation. AS United states
senator he was the representative of
the people. As counsel to the get
rich-quick concern he was appearing
against the interest of the public
This is not only wrong in morals. but is
a misden eanor under the federal stat
utes So Burton was indicted and a
jury found him guilty.
THAT the crime was committed
there is no possible doubt. That Bur
ton was legally convicted the United
States supreme court did not believe.
Burton's sentence of six months in Jail
was set aside, pending a new trial
which should result in a technically
| legal conviction
1.-The guilt of Burton was so concur
sively shown that the United states
senate. although it had exonerated
Senator Dietrich because it was i'm
possible to convict him of selling his
postmasterships. on account of hair
splitting technicality, felt compelled to
deny Burton seat on the floor. NO
place on any committee was assigned
to him. 1t was intimated to him that
he must not try to take his place. In
fact, though not in theory the state Of
Kansas was deprived of half its repre-
sentation in the United States senate
Burton. still hoping to wear out the
prosecution and escape Jail by resort
to every device known to the pettifog-
ger. refused to resign. That he did
not perform a single act to earn the
pay of a senator was notorious.
1T must appear from these undis-
puted facts that Burton had no right
to draw a dollar from the treasury,
and that if he were honest he would
not accept a dollar. This is quite as
obvious as the fraud of which he was
convicted by the jury. So far as the
Kansas criminal himself is concerned
the circumstances are Insignificant.
The larger consideration suggested by
the performance of Monday is that the
United States senate became the &C
compIice in the larceny committed by
Burton.
"Only as an exhibition Of sympathy
for a fellow crook In distress is the
act of the senate in permitting this
barefaced steal to be praised. If the
! second-story worker who warns his
/ pal of the police at the risk of his
own liberty is entitled to admiration
for his loyalty. then the senators who
made no protest against the sneak
thievery of Burton are to be applauded
for standing by fellow who has been
caught with the goods on
This Burton incident also shows
that a senate that votes a vindieation
to a petty larceny piker like Dietrich
as quickly as it welcomes a high priced
CRATER like Depew and whitewashes d
/ high handed corruptionist such as
Clark. will not scorn to pick the treas
ury lock in order to let a Burton make
away with some swag."