Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1907-05-15
Makes Statement in Court Saying
Trial Threatens Mental and
Bodily Health.
UNABLE TO BEAR THE STRAIN.
Promises to do All In His Power 10
Overthrow system OF Corruption
In san Francisco.

San Francisco, May 15.--Abraham
Ruef, nervous and pallid. today In
Judge DUNES court. pleaded guilty
to the crime OF extortion. the felony
for which he was TO have been tried
by the Jury already selected in
pleading guilty he made an impressive
address TO the judge, stating that he
had commenced his career in politics
with high ideals for himself and for
the city, but that conditions had brok-
en- him down, and he now desired
only an opportunity to make repara-
ton and restore his character before
the world.
AS he concluded his address he fell
back into his chair almost falnting,
ard the tears coursed down his
cheeks.
His health, he said. could not en-
dure the strain of the trial which he
was facing, and the torture was be-
ycad the endurance to those who
were nearest and dearest to him
| Before Ruef arose his attorneys,
| Henry Ach Samuel Shortridge and
Frank Murphy one by enc, arose and
stated that owing to grave differ
once of opinion with their client each
of them must withdraw from the
case.
Ruef in his address spoke with emo
ton of the fidelity of his counsel
Judge Dunno, at the termination Of
Ruef's address, made no comment eN-
Ccpt to continue the case two weeks
for sentence.
At 10 minutes to 10 o'clock Ruef
| and his attorneys, who had been I'm
consultation. returned to the court
A ~, I'D L.,
was followed by Ruef who looked
pale, weak and self-conscious as
though he was laboring under some
terrible mental burden
Abraham Ruef made the following
statement when court reconveued:
This trial has become a threaten
ing danger to my health, both mental
and physical l am unable to bear the
strain any longer The strain on
those nearest and dearest TO me is
undermining them. They are on the
verge OF collapse. Their lives hang in
the balance, ard l must take some ac-
ton"
Ruef. who was evidently laboring I'M
der great emotion, after pausing mo-
| ment. continued:
Il have occupied prominent posi-
ton in this city. l hope to remain
here, and this win be the place OF
my eternal sleep. Heretofore l have
sional life. There has been no stain
upon my honor and until the present
board OF supervisors was elected there
was no act of mine that could be
Justly cepsured. Nevertheless, owing
to the assaults of the press, l have
been placed in a wrong light and have
been burdened with a bad name.
1T is true that in order to hold to-
gether the political machine which
had built up with great difficulty, that
] did lower the high political ideals
that had hitherto upheld. Last night
l reached the conclusion that there
might still be an opportunity 10 make
some effort 10 restore myself in the
public favor and be a power for good
/ will do all that still lies in my power
to help overthrow the system which
has made possible the terrible corrup-
ton OF public officials. TO do this |
will work even as the humhest citizen
My future career viii be one of lntegri-
ty. | hope that | can still accomplish
something good
81 am making the greatest sacrifice
that could befall human being of my
spositlon--namely TO acknowledge my
faults and mistakes to restore myself I'm
public favor. Duty calls me wherever
the path may lead but / want the
whole world 10 know that / was not
guilty Of the charge made against mo
in this instance. Nevertheless on ac-
count of the reasons state. withdraw
my plea OF not guilty and enter plea
of guilty"
Ach was the first to speak. He said
there had been a disagreement between
himself and his client and that h
would be forced to withdraw from tn,
case, Ruef expressed himself as
agreeable TO this Ach thereupon left
the courtroom and Samuel Shortridg,
rose. He also said that he could II,
/ ln1ngr Tpnpf a e ar
and with Rucfs consent he would
withdraw. Ruef consented and Short
ridge left Frank Murphy rose anl
made a similar statement He de-
clared, however that while the cas'
had reached point where he could M
longer continue as an attorney for th'
defendant he would nevertheless re
main in the courtroom 10 give him thi
benefit OF what advice and counsel h,
could,
Ruef rose. trembling under grcal
emotional strain. Jse slinkr with gren'
difficulty. By this time the courtroom
was crowded and most Of the specta'
tors were standing
Ruef first ACKNOWLEDGED the WORT
done by his various attorneys, thank
ing Them for their friendship. counso
and guidance. Then he continued
As Ruer resumed mis- seat he was
trembling like n lcnf His face was tht
color Of parchment Tears .coursed down
his cheeks. a crowd gathered about
him. but The balif brushed them away
Ruef sat alone save for the protection
OF the bailiff and the elisor His attor.
neys were all Eone-forced away by his
decision to tell all and throw himself
upon tho courts mercy
Judge Dunno made an order setting
the case over two weeks for sentence
Then Ruef arose and. YEARLY. still pale
and trembling. went out of the court
room with Detective Burns The two
walked 10 the corner of Sacramento anc
Webster streets. where they entered
an automobile ANA drove 10 the house
ON Fillmore street which is Ruef's pri