The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-03-24
"Greates of All Crimes Against People is Where Execl-
tives Ravish the Law in the Temple of JUS
tice, As in My Case"

Abline, Kan, March 23.-Joseph II.
Burton. former United States senator
from Kansas. received reception more
enthusiastic than that given him when
he first returned as a senator when to-
night he returned to his home city after
five months Imprisonment at Ironton, Mo.
A crowd of several hundred people, with
the town band, met him at The station at
o'clock, and many persons were wearing
badges on which was inscribed, "Wel-
come, Burton.'
The ex-senator rode from the station
to his home in an open carriage and his
progress through the streets was In the
nature OF a lriumphal proc -ssoh.
Mr. and Mrs. Burton were entertained
at dinner by County Treasurer schirder,
after which they went to the theatre
where the ex-senator delil cred his speech
on "Why Was l Prosecuted"
Ex-senator Burton began his speech by
referring to the three indictments found
against him, and the two convictions
under them, saying that, while the case
was pending he tried to get the Senate
to investigate the charges against him,
but it steadily refused to do so, and it
was about to eXpel him without an in
vestigation. when he resigned to avoid
expulsion.
A great wrong he said, had been done
not only to him. but to the people of
Kansas as well, and to the people of the
entire country.
For the greatest of all crimes against
a people," he said, lis where executives
ravish the law in the temple of Justice, as
they did in my case"
THAT / was employed for a short time
as the attorney of the Rialto company
was never conceded or denied by me.
Payments on my contract We're made in
five instalments of $500 each. The first
four payments were each made by check,
which / deposited with the bank where |
kept an account in Washington. The last
payment was in cash There was nothing
concealed or unusual. in the payments,
as there was nothing to conceal in the
contract of employment.
1T was an unjust accusation against
me that | had been employed as an at
torney by disreputable corporation, anG
that | knew it to be Of such character
at the time OF my employment. The Rial
to company bore no resemblance what
ever TO a get-rich-quick concern. During
the time | was one of its attorneys and
during all the time that 1t was managed
by its owner, Major Dennis, the Rialto
company never swindled any person I'm
the world out of a dollar. I offered t.
show this in the trial of my case but
the court refused TO allow the testimony.
Fraud order.
Il did nothing TO prevent a fraud ordcr
from issuing against the Rialto company.
Months after my connection with the
company ceased, and when conditions
changed for the worst by reason of the
oil a a <
owner and when there was an investigG
tion by the postoffce department. Is was
not L. but the two men who prosecuted
me who prevented fraud order from
issuing against the company.
"It was untrue that / was indicted for
bribery, though 1t WAS so given out IN
the narng headlines of newspapers. Tie
charge against me, thro wing aside legal
verbiage was that | had been hired in Il
law suit. prohibited by the statute, be-
cause I was a senator. 1t was not pre-
tended In the Indictment that the govern
ment has one cent of property interest
in the case. where 1 was accused Of act.
ing as an attorney. There was no charge
against me like that made against the
late Senator Mitchell and other defend
ants in the land fraud cases, no charge
that | had defrauded the government out
Of anything.
The government had no monetary in
terest Whatever IN the case. whether
fraud order should on should not issue
against my client made not one dollar
Of difference to the government. Tho
government would not make or lose
anything whichever way the case should
be decided by the postmaster general.
The statute had been passed in 1864. near
the close of the war. to prevent con-
gressmen from taking claims against the
government for collection. Claims against
the government had piled mountain high
at that time. as a result of the war,
and senator's and congressman made Il
speciality Of seeking these claims for col,
lection The very best men in congress
advertised in tho Washington papers t.
collect .hcsc claims on contingent fees.
As it required appropria tions to pay the
claims. when allowed, it was thought that
such action should be denounced as wrong
and in conflict with the official duties of
congressman. This was tho insnirauan