Albuquerque evening citizen. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1905-1907, 1907-03-27
He Thinks That Business Men
Should All Take Interest
in Local Politics.
DENIES PURE GOVERNMENT
ANY WHERE IN COUNTRY
Denies He Made Money in Poli-
tics But Calls 1t Gain
in Real Estate.

San Francisco, Cal, March AZ
radiant with enthusiasm, the shrewd-
est of all political bosses meditated.
He was in one of his six rooms al
the St. Francis hotel. If he would
have as much as turned the knob OF
his door and looked out into the
hallway, he would have seen a half
dozen detectives peeking around the
corners.
II will give you my views" he said
obligingly, but l don't expect to see
them in print Newspapers never
quote me correctly.
1T does pay. 1t pays business men
to take interest in politics because on
the kind of officials they put into
office depends the prosperity of the
city. 1t pays the workingman be-
cause his taxes will be higher If an
extravagant or corrupt man is at the
head of the city's government. II
pays women to study politics because
politics directly affects the public
schools.
ANY man that doesn't vote is 4
criminal. If there is grating among
city officials all the men that didn't
vote at the election that put them
in office should be rounded up and
charged Jointly with the offenders.
There is no city, county or state
that has an absolutely pure govern,
ment, and there never will be until
everybody votes.
yes, it pays to be n politician. hat
not an officeholder. There is con-
tinual rain of mud on public SER
wants. Faithfulness is not appreci-
ated. But few good men want to ac-
cept an office"
But, does it pay to be in politics
If you are going to be honest?" the
political boss was asked.
There is no profession in which
dishonesty pays" he answered, smil-
ingly.
But you made money in politics,
didn't you?" asked one of the news
paper men.
1.-THE very idea!' exclaimed the
sharp little man. Il made my money
In real estate"
Ruef is of the type of men who
thinks twice before he speaks, and
then says something else. He never
loses his head, but saves half his
anger for the next time.
Nor is he built along the lines of
the typical ward healer" He is
neither blunt nor coarse. II you
would call him a thief he would
probably smilingly assure you that
you were wrong,
And If he should start to assure
you of anything, he would no doubt
accomplish his purpose. For 1t Is
in his personality that this great lit
tie man stands head and shoulders
above any political boss that any city
ever produced. Men go to his office
furious with rage, and come out
smiling. He is always courteous, al
ways patient, and always persistent.
On the street Ruef would never
be taken for the genius he is. how
ever. You might think him a we'll
tO-do secondhand dealer, but never
for a man who made a clean million
out of the political game, and that
without ever having held an office.
Ruef has the reputation of stick
ing" by his friends. Although 40
years old. he was never married. My
sister was my sweetheart is the way
he puts II.
And the real fact Is that Ruef stlll
has political friends a-plenty, more
than Mayor Schmitz, no doubt. San
Francisco Is glad to be free from his
power, yet for this little man who
could do things an occasional kind
word Is heard.