The Washington herald., 1907-03-24
RANTS AT ROOSEVELT
Ex-senator Burton Accuses
Him of Persecution.
HE AssAILs SUPREME COURT
Speaker Fresh from Missouri Jail
Says He Offended Sugar Trust in
His Speech on Cuban Reciprocity.
Infimates His Conviction Was Pur-
chased with Money and Favors.


Ralph Burton. ex-United States Senator.
who vas released from the penltentiary
at Ironton. Mo, Friday, tonight deliv-
cred an address TO the friends Of his home
town He hired the opera house for the
purpose. The speech was bitter attack
on President Roosevelt, whom be blamed
for what he terms his persecution.
Burton reviewed the case, in which he
was charged with praeticing before the
P0st-office Department while a United
States Senator. and admitted he accepted
the money. but said the government was
nos defrauded: that he was not connected
with his client when the fraud order was
issued.
Burton cited instances where Senators
and Congressmen practiced before the
Federal departments. He said he did not
ineend to violate the statute. and that al
the tine OF his indictment not single
Senator or Representative knew OF its
existence. Continuing. ne said
Pears His Conviction Was Bought.
Il was convicted by the press Of brib-
cry and fraud I was convicted by the
courts with nisconstTuing a statute. /
was guilty Of nothing. Ny only offense
was that I had offended the head Of a
political community of interests the
presidents and the most powerful member
of the commercial community of inter
ests' the sugar trust. I violated no law.
Shortly after / had been indicted, before
my trial 1 asked President Roosevelt
why he proceeded against me in St. Louis,
and he evaded the question with false
hood that he did not know.
MY conviction had TO be secured at
some place where suspicion would serve
the place Of law and evidence; where the
power Of the President could be made ef-
lfective; where witnesses, prosecuting OH
GERS, and judges would be specially respon-
siVe to prospective rewards and punish
ments, and, ] very much fear, some place
where my conviction could be bought by a
man who had the price TO. pay. Every
witness who testified to anything ma
terialr against me either has been pro-
NOTED in office or received immunity from
punishment by the President. Every ON
/ cial who had anything 10 do with my
case, with one exception, has been pro-
NOTED by the President
when my ease was before the Supreme
Court, the last time. Justice Harlan
/ handed down an opinion of a majority of
Z
after his son James was appointed on
1.-THE Interstate Commerce Commission.
Alleges influence of sugar Trust.
Il have frequently asked who 1t was
that inspired this unjust and cruel per
/ seeution against me. / have not made
any public answer TO this question. dc
/ il now. II was President Roosevelt
/ Burton then detailed the alleged infu-
enee the sugar Trust" exerted on the
/ President, EIihu Root, and Attorney Gen
/ eral Knox, for the revision of the sched-
ule in the Dingley bill and securing
/ Cuban reciprocity" He accused Root
of using money from the War Department
Ito exploit Cuba's alleged suffering, be-
cause there was no reciprocity during
/ 1901
Burton said:
Roosevelt in the meantime had be
come President At all times master
full politician and looking ahead. he knew
the great value Of attaching TO him suei
a power as the Sugar Trust Being a
consummate hypocrite. he knew just how
to appeal TO the sympathies of the Amer
lean people in the name OF God and hu-
manity for Poor, suffering Cuba.
No man or method is too bad to be put
! ESlGG NN ENtOSthttl 81 II HOufu AS4R AlAl
to continue as President No crime IS
too black to deter Roosevelt If its CON-
mission would minister 20 his ambition.
Conceived in falsehood and hypocrisy
vi0lative of the cardinal principles of the
Republican party. supported by fraud ano
corruption of the basest character, Cuban
reciprocity found in Theodore Roosevelt
its natural champion.
/ Says HIS speech Offended President
Burton declared he mortally offended
Roosevelt by a speech charging that the
sugar trust was behind the reciprocity
movement Roosevelt. he said, never
] forgave him, refused once to shake hand.
with him. and held up his patronage Hc
referred TO the criticism Of him by Sena.
tors Bailey. Foraker, Spooner, and Carter
and said:
Il had the stenleFity to voice my con-
/ yictions. It is an objectionable crime
/ with Roosevelt 20 speak unless what you
say reflects his wishes. No man can be
close to him and be free man. The
price you pay for his smile is slavery
He lives on adulation. He is cross be
/ tween turkey gobbler and a bulldog.
"He could find nothing tangible against
me until Knox pointed out how tbs
statute under which was prosecuted
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