Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1907-05-22
ABRAHAM RUFF PLEADS GUILTY..
THE SAN FRANCISCO ATTORNEY PROMISES
TO REFORM.

>NNASSSt ~NSy @AcA
Ruef, nervous and pallid, to-day in
Judge Dunne's court, pleaded guilty
to the crime of extortiou, the felony
for which he was to have been tried
by the jury already selected. In
pleading guilty he made an impress
sive address to the Judge, stating
that he had commenced his career in
politics with high ideas for himself
and for the city, but that conditions
had broken him down, and he now
desired only an opportunity to make
reparation and restore his character
before the world. After he concluded
his address he fell back into his chair,
almost fainting and tears soursed
down his cheeks. His health, be
said, could not endure the strain of
the trial which he was facing, and
the torture was beyond the endurance
OF. those who were nearest and dear.
est to him.
Before Ruef arose his attorneys,
Henry Ach, Samuel Shortridge and
Frank Murphy, one by one arose and
stated that, owing to grave differ
ence of opinion with their client, each
of them must withdraw from the case.
Ruef, in his address, spoke with emo.
tion of the, fidelity of his counsel.
Continuing, he said:
"This trial has become 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 and 1 must take some
action"
Ruef, who evidently was laboring
under great emotion, after pausing a
moment, continued:
81 have occupied prominent posi-
tion in this city. l hope to remain
here and this will be the place of my
eternal sleep. Heretofore 1 have
borne an honored name in my profess
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 centured. Nevertheless,
owing to the assaults of the press,
have been placed in wrong light,
and have been burdened by bad
name. 1t is true that in order to
hold together the political machine
which had built up with great diff
Guilty, did lower the high political
ideal that I had hitherto upheld.
Last night l reached the conclusion
that there might still be an opportu-
nifty to make some effort to restore
myself in the public favor and be
power for good. I will do all that
still lies in my power to help over.
throw the system which had made
possible the terrible corruption of
public officials. To do this l will
work even as the humblest citizen.
My future career will be one of in
tegrity. l hope that I can still ac-
complish some good.
81 am making the greatest sacrifice
that could beiall human being of
my disposition--nemely, to acknowl-
edge my public favor. Duty calls
me wherever the path may lead, but
l want the whole world to know that
I am not guilty of the charge against
me in this instance. Nevertheless,
on account of the reasons stated, l
withdraw my plea of not guilty and
enter plea of guilty"
Judge Dunno made an order set
ting the case over two weeks for SEN
tence. Then Ruef arose and YEARLY,
still pale and trembling, went out of
The court room with Detective Burns.
The two walked to the corner of
Sacramento and Webber streets,
where they entered an automobile
and drove to the house on Fillmore
street, which is Ruef's prison.
Improper action of the kidneys causes
backache, lumbago, rheumatism "Pine-