The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-03-25
BUTTONS SPEECH.

/ d.
pose as a martyr to the ambition and
hatred of Theodore Roosevelt would
be more successful If Mr.. Burton had
the right kind of a reputation to back
it up. The martyrs crown does not
go well, however, with the sort of life
that Mr.. Burton used to lead. A good
name would now be of inestima BILE
value to Mr.. Burton, but his career in
the Kansas legislature years ago was
not such as to afford a firm founda-
ton on which to base his present
claims of uprightness and honor in
connection with his employment by
the Rialto Grain and Securities COM
pany.
Mr.. Burton contends that the
Rialto company was perfectly 1egi-
innate concern and that his employ
ment by it was honorable and not for
any wrong purpose whatever; that
the Rialto company was not under
investigation by the postoffice depart
ment. Yet Mr.. Burton knows that
one reason why he was employed by
the Rialto company was because of
his experience with postoffice fraud
orders.
Burton owes his connection with
the Rialto company to an advertising
agent named Kastor, who handled the
advertising for. and otherwise aided,
the Rialto company. Kastor suggest
ed the employment of Burton as at
torney for the Rialto company, and he
brought Burton and the manager of
the company together. On the wit
ness stand Kastor admitted, when cor
nered, that the reason he recommend
ed Burton's employment was because
he knew of the services Burton had
rendered Professor" Weltmer of Ne
vada, Mo, when the latter had trou-
bic with the postoffice department
and he thought Burton would be a
valuable man to have as attorney for
the Rialto company.
If Mr.. Burton is sincere in his at
tack he is evidently suffering from a
delusion. There is no doubt that he
has brooded over his troubles and ex-
aggerated the position of Roosevelt
toward him. If all Burton says were
true it would appear that the presi-
dents great object in life was to re-
venge himself upon Burton.
The idea that President Roosevelt
was afraid of his influence is, of
course, ridiculous. Yet it is not at all
after" Burton after he became ac-
quainted with the facts in the Rialto
case. 1t is we'll known that Roose-
welt hates graft in any form.
Mr.. Burton goes back to the Cuban
reciprocity fight in the congress of
1923. 1t was the policy of President
Roosevelt to perform our duty to
Cuba and make a reciprocal arrange
ment whereby Cuban sugar would be
admitted to the United States on a
basis that would bring prosperity to the
stricken island. The arrangement was
doubtless favored by the Havemyer
cane sugar trust, but it was opposed by
the Oxnard beet sugar trust Burton
took the Oxnard end OF the fight. 1t
is unnecessary to point out that the
interests of the beet growers themselves
were not involved, for they have not
suffered in the least because of Cuban
reciprocity. 1t was a case of our duty
to Cuba opposed to the Oxnard beet
sugar trust, and Burton took the wrong
end of it,
So Mr.. Burton's effort to pose as a
martyr, ground down by the tyranny
and ambition of Theodore Roosevelt,
Will not get very far. The public will
simply compare Burton with Roose-
velt-and the result is obvious.
Mr.. Burton says he is starting out
anew, to make his life over again. but
he does not start right when he makes
so savage an attack and such vicious
charges against a man held in such
wide esteem and almost universal con-
hdence as Theodore Roosevelt
Burton is brilliant, smart and indus
trious and by creditable conduct his |
talents will establish him as a man Of
worth, but he cannot rebuild upon vitu- |
and martyrdom, particularly
when many of the wrongs alleged are |
fancies rather than facts.
IN WICHITA