The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1907-05-16

8 crook; that the whole city govern
ment was rotten from skin TO core
that no privilege could be obtained I'M
less it were paid Tor. Is IL strange that
those systematic attacks, though fre
quently grounded on nothing moro
truthful than personal suspicion IN
private quarters, should have led the
corporations aStray as to the real situa-
tion' The officers Of corporations are
not bad men. They do not belong 10
the criminal class. They no more de
sire TO commit the crime of bribery
than the newspapers or public desire
that il should be permitted. But fran
chlses are necessary to the conduct of
their business, and when they are
taught TO believe that such privileges
cannot be obtained without the eXer-
else Of dishonest influences, they fire.
quentlv do commit the crime of bribery
rather than forego the thing they de
sire.
Explains the Bribery,
"And so it goes Suppose that the
United railways sent word that there
was $1,000 OF $4,000 apiece for the sup
ervisors if the supervisors would call at
the United railways office. And sup
pose that those supervisors trooped up
there, one by one, and took the dirty
money. Such an arrangement would
seem almost instant exposure, and scan
dial and absolute defeat of the end
sought. But suppose that the United rail
roads came TO me, lawyer and a poht-
cal leader and asked me TO accept a fee
To manage the matter for them. Sup
pose ] refused Suppose then, these
supervisors got wind that there was
money TO be had and | found out that
they meant TO get it, Would | still
refuse to handle the matter for them
and see my machine smashed. or would
/ accept the fee and connive at the
corruption?
81 have not said TO YOU that Patrick
Calhoun, or Thornwall Mutually, or the
officials Of the two telephone companies,
or anybody has committed the crime
charged against them. | have not made
any confession. But | repeat: Some
OF the many upon whom has fallen the
SCOT of TINS newspaper castigatiop were
innocent Of evil intent, but became in
voved by compulsion; and these men
shall not be made to suffer further
shame and disgrace by any confession
of mine. Others there are who went |
into the smoke with their eyes open. |
knowing full well what they were |
about and as TO these ] shall speak 7
freely and fully when the time comes. |
Cares Nothing for Grand Jury.
"Mr. Burns, Of the prosecution, -
who interrupted Ruef for few minutes
while be was making the statement,
has just now asked me If | were will
ing to go before the grand Jury this
afternoon and tell all [ told him l
certainly was not. l don't give damn
But there is this about it: When [ have
shaped my course and made mp my mind
in every. particular as to how ] shall
act, then 7 IL be willing to go before
the grand jury. or before William ].
Burns, or Heney, or anybody they may
appoint, and tell them what / have de
eided to tell.
"One word finally. l never in my
ife did man wrong. never pulled
/ man down. | never asked favor. |
lever sought fee, | never took a
lollar from the public | have been
guilty, and | confess it with more emo
ion than you can see, OF connivance at
orrupt acts. For my guilt, insofar as
am guilty, l must suffer; and | am
eady TO, accept the penalty, whatever
{ may be But of many things the
'ress mas so bitterly and so relentlessly
harged against me, | am as innocent
is are You, This is true of many others
,eSide myself who also have been made
o feel the flame OF unfair accusation -
In changing his plea IN court today,
ir. Ruef spoke as follows; ,
Statement OF Ruef. j
II your honor please. 1 desire 10 make l
statement ] do so after only a short 7
with my attorneys to whom I
have only within the last half hour dis T
losed my determination, and against +
heir heir expressed protest I take this, oc- G
delity and friendship. !
Notwithstanding the courts findings t
esterday, that this trial might be safely
ealth, physical and mental, wish to as
uIe you that py personal condition is
1onths daily the strain OF an actual trial /
i this case, the consequent continual
lightly preparation therefor. the neces- :
ary consultation and converse with ms ..
ttorney in regard thereto. 10 say moth &
ns OF other cares and responsibilities. 1
Moreover, the strain OF these proceed T
ngs upon those whom ! hold nearest and :
earest OF all on earth has been so grave
nd severe that, as result OF these
their health has been un- :
ermlned the%y are on the verge OF an b
indeed now actually In the balance. I
Admits Lowering Ideals.
l have occupied somewhat prominent
osition IN the city OF my birth. in which !
have lived all my life. where arc all
hope ei 70 TencG psH nrH %Gem ihe 5he ne comes
ave borne an honored name, In my prl- !
ate and professional life there has been q
o stain; IN ,my public Affiliations, until c
he municipal campaign OF 1905 and the :
lection OF the present board OF super :
isorss the abhorrent charges of the press 1
. the contrary Notwithstanding. no ac- '
lon OF mine ever gave Just ground for r
dverse criticism or deserved Censurc +
,ut the assault OF the press and thclu
allure TO credit honesty of purpose and
esire 10 hold together political or
anization, which has been built up with
1ueh effort-means OF holding II to-
ether being otherwise impossible-did In {
measure Influence me and corrupt the
Ugh Ideals for which / had Heretofore
tTiyen. S
During the past two weeks have
bought deeply and often OF this situa- !,
on, its causes and conditions. To offer
xcuses now would he folly. To make ALI
hort at some reparation for the public
ood is. however. more than possible. 10 q
ssiSt In making more difficult II not I'm r
ossible the system which dominates our .
ublc men and couupts our politics VIII q
9 a welcome task. I have decided that j
'hatever energy or abilities | possess h
pr the future shall be devoted even In /
he humblest capacity TO restoring the a
ieals that have been lowered.
VIII Be Good Now. 4,
shall. as soon as opportunity be ac- q
orded, re-enllst on the side OF good cit q y
;enship and integrity, NAY It be alIot-
ed 10 me at some time hereafter TO have
least some small part in The re-estab-
shmenJ on 2 clear, sane basis a plau ~