The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1907-05-16


there was money TO be had, and I
found out that they meant to get it.
Would L still refuse to handle the mat
ter for them. and see my machine
smashed, or would I accept the fee and
connive at the corruption?
Corrupt by Compuision.
Il have not said to you that Patrick
Calhoun, or ThOrnwall Mutually, or the
officials of the two telephone companies
or anybody has committed the crimes
charged against thea. [ have not made
any confession. But I.iepeat: Some of
the men upon whom has fallen the
SCOT of this newspaper cOnfiagratiOn
we're innocent of evil intent. but be-
came involved by compulsiOn; and
these men shall not be made to suffer
further shame and disgrace by any con-
fession 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 i shall speak
freely and fully when the time GENES
Mr.. Burns OF the prosecution" who
interrupted Ruef for a few minutes
while he was making this statement,
has just now asked me if I were will
ing to go before the grand jury this
4
certainly was not. I don't give a d
for the grand jury. Why should T.?
But there is this about it; When ]
have shaped my course and made UP
my mind in every particular IS to now
/ shall act, then I'll be willing TO 90 be
fore the grand jury or before William
J. Burns or Heney. or anybody they
may appoint, and tell til IN what have
decided to tell.
life did q man wrong. / never pulled
man down. / never asked favor. I
never sought a fee. I never took a dol
lar from the public. have been guilty.
and / confess it with more. emotion
than you can see, of connivance ut cor
Tupt acts. For my guilt, insofar as I
am guilty, I must suffer; and I am
iCady to accept the penalty. whatever
it may be. But of many things the
press has so bitterly and so relentlessIy
charged against me. I am as innocent
as you are. This IS true OF many 9th
ers beside myself who also have been
made TO feel the fame Of unfair ac-
Cusation.'
Excuses Would Be Folly.
During the past two weeks I have
thought deeply and often of this situa-
ton. its causes and conditions. To offer
excuses now would be folly. To make an
effort at some PREPARATION for the public
good is, however, more than possible; 20
assist in making more difficult, if not i'm
possible. the system which dominates our
public men and cOrTupls our politics will
be a welcome task I have decided that
whatever energy or abilities / possess for
the future shall be devoted. even in the
humbiest capacity. 10 restoring the ideals
that have been lowered.
Il shall as soon as opportunity be ac-
corded. re-enlst on the side of good citi-
zenship and integrity May it be allotted
to me at some time hereafter to have at
least some small part in the re-establish-
nigh civic morality and just reciprocal re-
lations between the constantly struggling
constituent elements of our governmental
and industrial life
Determined to Do Better.
I'm the meantime I begin by an earn
estness of purpose, a purpose to make the
greatest sacrifice which can befall hui
edge whatever there may have been of
wrong or mistake. and so far as may be
within my power TO make it right.
reached the final determination last
Grafton. Where duty calls 1 intend TO
follow. whittier hereafter the path of my
life may lead and however unpleasant and
painful may be the result. l make this
world may know at least the motives
which have guided me in the step ] am
about to take. AS IN earnest man have
determined TO make a beginning. I ask
now that this jury be dismissed from
further consideration of the case. I de-
sire to withdraw my plea of not guilty
and to enter the contrary plea and at the
proper time to submit to the court fur
Their suggestions for its consideration
Gave Way to Tears.
AS Ruef resumed his seat he was trenl-
bling Ike leaf His face was the color
of parchment. Tears coursed down his
checks. A crowd gathered about him. but
the baiiiff brushed them away. Ruef sat
alone save for the protection of the baiIiff
and the eisor. His attorneys were an
gone-forced away by his decision to tell
all and throw himself upon the courts
mercy.
Judge Dunno made an order setting tho
case over two weeks for sentence Then
Ruef arose and, YEARLY. stu pale and
trembling. went out Of the court room
with Detective Burns The TWO walked
TO the corner of Sacramento and Veb-
ster streets, where they entered an auto
mobile and drove TO the house on Fillmore
street which is Ruefis prison.
In spite Of the crippled telephone serv-
ice the news that Ruef had pleaded guilty