Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 38, Number 26, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 December 1905 — BURTON AGAIN CONVICTED. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

BURTON AGAIN CONVICTED.

Kansas Senator for tbe Second Time Has Been Found Guilty. For the second time in two years trial proceedings in the case of Senator J. Ralph Burton of Kansas have result-

ed in a signal vindication of the power of the law to deal effectively with influential offenders. In April, 1904, Burton was convicted of having violated the federal statutes by using his official influence with the Postoffice Department to protect a

St. Louis “get rich quick” company against which a fraud order had been issued. The court at that time commended the jury for returning a “just and true” verdict. On a technical question of jurisdiction the Supreme Court ordered a retrial. But the second jury merely repeats the verdict of the first. The effect of the decision, if sustained, will be to disqualify Burton from holding any federal ofHce, no matter what other punishment may be imposed. Burton’s lawyers announce that they will apply at once for a new trial, and, failing to get it, will appeal to the Supreme Court. United States Senator Joseph Ralph Burton has been the senior Senator from Kansas for the last four years, and since the campaign of 1876 had been one of the orators of the Republican party. He is an ludianian by birth, 54 years of age, and for three terms was a member of the Kansas Legislature. He has made a most aggressive fight against conviction on the present case, the indictments having been found faulty twice, on technicalities, and a new trial granted by the Appellate Court when he was first convicted a year ago. At that time he was sentenced to six months in jnil and to pay $2,500 fine, precisely the amount he is said to hare received in the transaction., The Society of Navnl Architects and Marine Engineers in convention in New York was nddressed by W. R. Babcock, a ship builder of Chicago, on “The longitudinal Bending Movement of Certain Lake Steamers.” Charges of robbing house® and sharing in the profits of burglars hove been made against several San Francisco policemen. Three hnve been dismissed and others may be sent to prison. It has been discovered that the Kansas Legislatures for several years have failed to comply with the State constitution in enacting banking laws, and this may result in disorganizing the entire financial system of the State unless Gov. Hoeh calls a special session of the Legislature to remedy the evil.

J. R. BURTON.