St. Louis Post-Dispatch
March 17, 1907

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AF Rags — F WABI ey w en ey pene. deorey yO MaRS By nin chy . antes mie 3 UALITIES THAT MAKE A GOOD SALESMAN > Are born in a man, but it fs possible for him to learn a few things, nevertheless. in the matter of finding the best wise ones are taught by Post- Have you read today’s offers? For instance. gpesings the ispatch wants.

ST.LOUIS POST-DISPATCH

| WOULD ‘YOu RECOGN IZE A REAL Lifetime Chance If You Met One TODAY se If so you are in the proper wer frame of mind to read today's 3 “Business Chances” profitably.

VOL 49. NO. 208 ST. LOUIS, SUNDAY MORNING, MA G, MARCH 17, 1907.

SSS SS PRICE FIVE CENTS, —

FORMER SENATOR BURTON, TO BE FREED FROM JAIL NEXT FRIDAY, WILL START A PAPER TO GET REVENGE ON PRESIDENT ROOSEVEL

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to serve a six- at used interceding for my “T Am Going to Show the Country That I Am Not a Dead One,’’ Says the Fallen Statesman, Who Will Call His Weekly Publication ‘‘The Home Rule’’ ~~and- Will Urge the Election of All Federal Judges and District Attorneys By Popular Vote and For Short Terms Only. CCORDING to statements made to a Post-Dispatch reporter at the St. A Louls Federal Building there appears to be no longer any doubt that! former United States Senator Joseph Ralph Burton of Kansas, who was | taken to the Iron County (Mo.) Jail at Ironton, Oct. 22, 1906, -months’ sentence will be released next Friday, March 22. Burton was twice convicted in tne United States District Court St. Louis, on the charge of having Wrong fully his office in appearing before Government departments at Washington and the Rialto Grain and Securities Company, an alleged get-rich-quick concern, now defunct. In addition to being given a sentence of six months imprisonment. Burton was ordered to pay a fine of $2500. He will not be held in prison for this fine, Government officials declare, but, as has been the custom with other Federal prisoners who have been fined, the penalty will be held against him as a civil judgment. | If the full six months of Burton’s term should be served he would not be released until April 22. Col. David P. Dyer, United States Attorney for the St. Louis district, says that, by a Federal provision, Government prisoners are allowed respites for five days for each month served, during which their be- havior is above reproach. Burton will be allowed a total respite of 30 days as a result of this provision. Hour Left to His Jatler’s Discretion. When thé Post-Dispatch’s Washington correspondent asked the Depart-| ment of Justice at the capital for a definite statement concerning Burton’s release, he was told that the matter was wholly in the hands of the Federal Officials at St. Louis anq that any statement they might make would be au- thentative. “Former Senator Burton will be: released on Friday, March 22," said Wal- ter W. Nall, chief clerk in the office of United States Marshal, at the United «States Federal Building, when questioned for the Post-Dispatch. “It is possible that he will be released early in the morning of that day. Or it may be about noon. Of course, this will be left to the discretion of John I. Marshall, Sheriff of Iron County." . Clerk Nall is the official who escorted Burton to Jail last October. When informed of the Government's decision as to the ending of his sentence, Bur- ton told a Post-Dispatch reporter at Ironton that he had expected he would be released on that date. “T wrote to friends at my home at Abilene, Kan.,” said Burton, “that I expected to be released next Friday. Well, I'm glad, of course. that term is about finished. Quite naturally my wife, myself and our two nieces will almost count the minutes until next Friday comes. I did not know be- : fore what provision would be made about the $2500 fine. I knew, as a result of my long familiarity with law, that it has been the custom to discharge prisoners with the fine hanging over them as a civil judgment. “Bat if it had been necessary to stay in prison longer or pay the fine, 1 would have had to choose the extended term.” The elder of Burton's nieces has been acting as his secretary. With Mrs. Burton, the nieces have been living at an Ironton hotel, a short distance south of the half-century-old Jail. They are now busy pre- paring to start back to the Kansas home. He Plans to Publis, a Newspaper. _ Close friends of Burton say the former Senator will begin the publica- tion of a weekly paper at Abilene. Kan., just as soon as he is released from the Ironton Jail. It will be called “The Home Rule.” and in general ap- pearance will resemble “The Commoner,” published at Lincotmn, Neb., by Wil- ;Yam J. Bryan. * _ One of the inducements, it is said, to gain a subscription list, will be the t{ that a history of Burton's case, written by himself in the Iron- ton Jail, will appear tn serial form in the paper. 4 me Although Burton has always been a steadfast Reptiblican and made adasohes in favor of high tariff for 20 years, it is not promised that the new publication will declare for the principles of that party. On the other hand. Ris friends say. he will always carry 4n editorial axe for Roosevelt, whom he ames and Cally cenounces for his fall The election of many Federal officers, now appointed, will be advocated in Sweeping home rule declarations of the rew journal. Where United States judges are at A aore appointed for life, their election al be urged. and for short terms only. Attorney has always been Jes Placing of this office in the hands of

> Cell Musings by Ex-Senator Burton WANT to show the people of Kansas and of the United States that Joe Burton is not a ‘dead one.’” “J have received lots of letters from friends. They have been genuine beacons of hope as I lay in my cell.” . t “Pm gotng to tell the people of Abilene all sbout my case when I I will make some amazing statements, too.” aet back home. “¥ attend church when I am at home, yet not for formality alone, though § am not a churchman.” “T have read the New Testament through to a fellow prisoner, since I have been tn Jalf!. I found much to interest me, although I have been a close student of the Bible for years.” “J made a fortune of $150,000 tn Kansas before I was 40. I lost it when there came a financial depression. But I paid every dollar I owed to creditors.” _— “A man’s lot is just what he makes it.” “The hardest ficht I have had in here has been to keep from becom- ing “‘peevish, but I’ve won it.” “When I was acting in public life, I alwnys rend the newspapers with interest. Now I have learned to read between the lines, so care- fully have 1 studied them since I have been here.” ee ee ee “I've had good ‘pealth during my prison term. That's a comforting refiection for which I am deeply thankful.”’ ,° Hopes to Show People He fs Not “Dead One.” Thuse conversant with the plans for the new journal say that a building has been rented at Abilene, and the formation of a stock company is un- der way. Some of those behind the enterprise are said to be among the most wealthy residents of the flourishing Kansas town, which, to a man almost. has been loyal to Burton. When asked what he expects to do when he gets back home. Burton said, “Well, I feel that I owe it to myself, to my wife and to my friends, to show to the people of Kansas and of the United States, that Joe Burton ts not n ‘dead one.’ If my plans matertalize.t believe that a lot of the fellows who have fought me will find that [I'm pretty much of a ‘live one.” Burton then admitted that he would make a long statement as soon as he reaches Abilene, having hired a place for the purpose. “Ill any whatever I've got to say in a large hall,” he declared, “where just as many people as can crowd tn, can hear me. And in that Httle city where I have lived for 28 years, where I mede a fortune of $150,000 and lost it when hard times came—Iin that Httle city—where, if there ls a Pince on thix earth that people know and understand me, it is there—I shall talk to the people from my heart itself and tell them just how I have suf- fered. And it ig true that I expect to make some amazing statements. “I have lots of friends in Abilene and all over Kansas. When I lost my fortune, through a depression of the general business affairs of the country, I paid up every dollar that I owed. > . Says He Has Never Whimpered to Anyone. “And it is those creditors, to whom I paid all of my obligations that are now standing by me in many instances. I haven't whimpered to them or to any man because I was put into the Ironton Jail. Just why I was put there shall be known after I get home. But there have come letters to me from all over the country since I have been here in this Jail. “And the most of them, If they didn’t contain any other kind word, have been offers to do anything in @ personal way for me, that could be done.” "They have been beacons of hope to me, as I lay down at night in my narrow little prison cell and listened to the howl of the winds outside, or es 51 the, oe of rein or sleet seus the windows in the corridor. for, since that might last October when there me ae ee rem bese Be have | © 4 in St. ee NN NN, Nay J Se

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SPADING THE GARDEN WHILE FARMERS LOOK ON.

»J PH BURTON. It is expected that Burton, | mentary things about President Roosevelt. bear’ on this topic. With the exception of just one her husband from a hotel near the Louis shopping. Wife Carefully Prepares Alt His Meals. Nothing has been sent to him with- cooked and seasoneg to a nicety

in his Abilene speech, will say many uncompli- His friends say he is ‘loaded for Mrs. On day, Jail. Burton has carried meals to the day mentioned she was The prisoner has fared unusually well. out first being tastefully prepared, carefully by Mrs. Burton. Burton now and then has remembered his fellow lceacy. Now it was a banana, again an apple, very fond of muffins and waffles. Mrs. Burton prisoners with a del- maybe an orange. He is Claims distinction at muffin and these delicacies are or forgets those who are confined with him when set before him. According to the Iron County authorities, he has never been away from the Jail premises but once. That was the day after he was taken to Iron- ton by Deputy United States Marshal Nall, when, in company with an offi- cer, he was allowed to walk « block away. to the hotel where his wife has been staying, and get a few clothes. This aroused so much criticiem that he was kept more closely confived thereafter. But he has helped to cerry In the wood for the little heating siove opposite his cell door, and, although it is not yet spring, has been spading in the garden back of’ th: queer little old brick and rock Jail. He works apparently with a relig#h and does sot seem to tire from the unusual cxertion. He handles the spade so well Hat the Tron County farmers, who look en over the fence, praise his dex- serity. Farmers Approve His Work in Garden. “Gosh, that there Senator feller must a-really worked sometime,” said one grizzled old man, “for, if he hadn't, he never would know how to push a spade Inter the ground.”’ In addition to getting sorhe exercise in this way, Burton has walked many miles daily, ab he paced the narrow little corridor of the Jail. This has been a favorite diversion after reading for an hour or two dur- tng the day. He hes taken pride in keeping the interior of the north side of the Jail in good condition. There is a strip of old carpet on the hard rock floor. This ie always clean. Burton has taken care to see that none of the sticks of wood for the steve are ever allowed to fall and litter up the floor. He piles all of it neatly in a box at the side of the stove. He had an oll lamp installed on the side of the corridor the night he went oe ine S08 oe Cea Tile hae: een kept burning table that there was a book, tn defecsea table things taught in Christian Science. Scientist. things of great int M B

fae Largest Hall in Abilené, "His Home Town, — : He Is Not Able To Pay It. = How Burton Has Spent His Jail Term PADED in the garden in the jatlyara for exercise, S Taken pride in keeping his cell and the Jalil corridor clean. Carried in the wood for the Jall stove, { Kept on excellent terms with the other prisoners and helped enter~ a, fe tain them in any way he could, Read and answered many sympathetic letters every day. Fimiliarised himself with new rulings of the courts, Federal ang State, Rend the newspapers and dammninn assiduously. Kept himself dressed immaculately. Walking many miles a day, pacing the narrow little ecorrider of the Jalil, ‘ee Received visits from his wife and nieces daily and entertaines ofhen q visitors. plain crockery have been allowed to stand on ft, The prisoner has hung up a few lithographed calenders here and picture or two of some very commonplace thing—only a few wreaths of ers on a red background, for instance—but they help to relieve the awful, monotony of those whitewashed walls. Maintains His Well-Groomed Appearance. In one of the windows there is a plant or two. One can get just a peep of the interior of the bedroom cell as the prisoner opens the door to it. There is a nice clean blanket spread over the foot of the bed, covered in white. e Burton has always maintained a well-groomed appearance, even the deputies say. When he was first taken to Ironton he made that his enforced confinement would present a good opportunity his old clothes. But his clothing has never become slovenly. The and modish four-in-hand tle which he has always affected have been worn in and day out. Bete A frock coat and trousers to match have almost invariably been ineluded = in his costume. Instead of presenting himeelf as a worn, Gejected man, : has that crushed-down, don't-care-what-happens appearance, Burton meets caller with a hearty handclasp and a jovial greeting. He reads many books of law, philosophy, history and fiction, and absorbs . everything In them that is worth while. He studies while he reads. A Student Throughout His Confinement. When he strikes an impressive idea, Burton will lay the book down begin to walk back and forth, turning the thought repeatedly before mind's eye for inepection, now and then clasping hig chin with his hand or stroking his once Intensely black mustache or hair. which ts tinged with gray. Finally, satisfied with his musing, he site down and sumes his book. ““"The worst battle that I have bad since § have been F im the Jalil,” said Burton, “has been to keep from becoming peeviah, I have allowed my thoughts te rum away with me te suck an extent that I even been thelined to a peastmistic trend, and I've got lots for the future. Lets of them! “Why, simply because a lock te turned on «2 man and he is kept |up when innocent in no indication that he shall think that he ig out | | trom his own thoughts, bis owe reasoning.” Burton's philosophy seemed doubly men igrant % to oe “Are you a Christian Sctenti Mr. Burton,” the tn “No, I am not.” was the mre sy MR. t I am doagecipagin.S. ! ure Bu tie a “Il am not a member of any church a But I'm De or te ame a “We studied the Testament as ee went along, too. Bi tage little wotman, whose rter, I conviction, not formality. N rough ERO LAL ENP OLLIE OE AR BME A awe

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