Omaha daily bee., 1906-11-03
HEARING ON IN SAN FRANCISCO
Ruef and Board of Supervisors Deny
Allegations in Complaint by
Heneys

SAN FRANCISCO. Nov. 2.-The argumse,
on the restraining order brought by =.
trict Attorney Langdon to prevent =.
ham Ruef from taking possession
ONCE Of the district attorney ans q
the action Of the Board Of ST. in
ousting Langdon and appoiysS u to
that Office. was begun befor' ~ Judge
Seawell today.
Two separate answers complaint
were presented. one on behaa OF Ruef and
the other on behalf Of the Board Of Super
visors. Each answer was accompanied by
afidavits denying the allegations in Heneys
original complaint. which charged felonies
to Ruef and the seventeen supervisors.
The court room was crowded. District
Attorney Langdou was present and with
him were his assistants, Francis J. Heney,
Charles W. Cobb and Hiram johnson, who
conducted the examination for Langdon.
Ruef was represented by Samuel short
ridge and Henry Ach, and the members OF
the Board OF Supervisors were represented
by William 4. Baggett and Jack Williams
OF the city attorneys office. Rucf arrived
after the proceedings had begun. He was
accompanied by his bodyguard.
Attorney johnson, addressing Judge Sea-
we'll said
"One reason that Ruef and the sr1er-
visors were restrained il because they were
engaged in a conspiracy TO obstruct the
administration OF Justice The district at
toruey was engaged in an investigation Of
certain crimes Of Abraham Ruef, who was
the party seeking to inject himself into
the district attorneys Office. II LangdOn
were put on the stand he would consent
to answer only as to that matter-not as
TO evidence he had in his possession"
This was agreed to, and Ach stated that
he would make the issue on two points:
Whether the Board OF Supervisors had the
right to remove Langdon and whether
Langdon had the right TO enjoin the new
appointee from taking Office.
District Attorney I.angdon was then
placed on the stand and stated that he had
been in charge of the office since January
s. that he had issued orders TO all his
deputies and knew that these orders we're
carried out. He had performed the duties
of district attorney In Judge Dunn's court
room and before Judge Graham I'm the em-
panelling Of the grand jury. Ach asked
him to name his deputies. He did so,
among them Fraucis ]. Heney. Ach asked
what instructions he had given to Honey
after Heney's appointment. To this ques-
tion johnson entered vigorous objections,
declaring that such questions had caused
Langdon to ignore the proceedings before
Notary Pul1nox. Judge Seawell suggested
to johnson that the proper procedure was
TO move that the discussion be struck out
Attorney Baggett at this point announced
that as official city attorney he represented
the Board of Supervisors as a whole. lie
had no objection TO the other attorneys
representing them as individuals. He filed
an answer to Iangdons complaint. As
sistant District Attorney Robert Harrison
was placed on the stand He stated that
tile deputies feared Ruef would use force
( in his effort 10 take possession OF the dis
trict attorneys once. In reply to Aeh's
questions. Harrison stated that many per.
sons had told him on thf evening of oc-
tober g5 that Rucf intendng using force ic
secure possession of the office lie said
that such possibility was discussed at q
/ gathering at the independence league head
quarters.
/ Was Heney present." asked Ach.
! This question furnished a dramatic cpl
sode. Heney, face red with anger. jumped
to his feet and declared that he had never
been in the Independence league head
quarters in his life and was taking abso,
lutely no part IN politics. He declared h'
had no intention OF running for ohice
either now or in the future
Arguments by the opposing counsel ot
/ legal points involved in the controversy oe
cupied the greater part of the Afternoon
session.
4 Judge seawell adjourned court until Mon
day.