BURGLAR BECOMES ALDERMAN.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLVI, Issue 263, 6 November 1912, Page 2

BURGLAR BECOMES ALDERMAN.

A PHILADELPHIA SENSATION

From burglar to merchant prince and on© of the most respected citizens and leading politicians of Philadelphia, the story of the career of Alderman "William Burke has become the sole topic of discussion in the Quaker oity, consequent upon his withdrawal from public life, owing to his having been pestered by a blackmailer. The story comes from the man himself, and he tells it in order to explain his resignation of the office of alderman, which he, has held with honor for several years. The alderman, who has been known under the name of William Burke, has informed the world that his real name is Benjamin Tripp, and that he is an ex-convict. Many years ago he was sentenced to a term of imprisonment for burglary, but on the expiry of his sentence he , reformed, and determined to. lead an honest life. I He came to Philadelphia, and, assumI ing the name of Burke, he married and started in business as a merchant. "I found that honesty was the best policy," he declares, and he prosperied exceedingly. - He began to take an active interest in politics, and took a prominent part in the exposure of the recent graft scandals, being the most trusted lieutenant of Mr Blankenburg, the Mayor of Philadelphia. A few years ago, however, Nebesis, in the shape of an ex-convict, who had known him in the Boston penitentiary, overtook him, and Mr Burke— 'or, rather Tripp—was subjected to the most cruel persecution. His former prison acquaintance blackmailed him persistently, and the alderman declares he can no longer stand the strain. He has accordingly resigned his office, and declaring that there is nothing of which/ he has any reason to be ashamed in his life since he officially expiated his first crime, he prefers to tell the whole story to the public, and end once and for all ,the persecution to which he has been subjected. This frank confession caused a tremendous sensation, and a number- of prominent citizens, including several of his colleagues on the Council, urged him to reconsider his decision. He declared, however, he could1 not hold up his head again in a political office and that he had quite mad© up his mind to retire from public life