New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-06-14

ENT'HJSI4SM IN COURT.
Frisco Jp1y Convicts Mayor of Er-
tCrti0n on RucfS TestimOpu.

San Francisco. June 12.-Mayor Eugene
Schmitz found guilty tonight of extortins
money from keepers Of French restaurants in
this city
b This is the first formal conviction in the anti
graft campaign started several months ago.
Abe Ruef who was indicted for similar Of
fences pleaded guilty to the charges and ap
peared as a witness against Mayor Schmitz.
When the verdict was announced Schmitz sat
unmoved. with his left hand to his chin He ap-
parentIy did not understand, and asked Barrett,
What is it,"
Guilty" said barrett
Schmitz's hand dropped to the table, but he
showed no other sign of emotion
Judge Dunno announced that judgment Will
be pronounced June 81. Motions regarding the
case viii also be entertained on that date.
The jury was out one hour and thirty-five min
utes The first ballot stood eleven for conviction,
Juror Burns shoemaker, casting the dissent
ing vote, Then the twelve mer begain a discus
sion which lasted for nearly an hour. At the
end Of that time the first formal ballot was cast.
II was written and was unanimous for convic-
proved by Burns Immediately after their dis
charge:
sG Juror Burns it 7hGqId 6s sHPlaRsa a Msa
dissatisfied with The evidence or & 5fheye6 forme
Of verdict we're given to the jury and the con, con,
secutive reading of these momentarily conf4Se1 is
he ca st his vote with the other eleven.
Even before Judge Dunno reached the syna-
gogue. hurried thither by an automobile, when
the Jury was ready to report, nearly thousand
men had gathered in Bush street and were
cIamoring at the doors. AS Judge Dunno en-
tered by a rear way the crowd surged into the
building from the front
When Foreman Capp said Guilty" the silence
was broken in hundred places at once. a long
drawn All ran through the crowd Then
Good" cried a voice in a far corner. And Good,
good" echoed another spectator further in front
Rudolph Spreckels whose wealth made possi-
ble the whole bribe graft prosecution, was walk
ing swiftly down the right aisle the sentence
fell from the foreman's lips He sank into
nearby seat as though arrested by some sharp
command.
All over the house people were jumping up
now. and some of them turned TO the strangers
at their elbows and thrust out their hands in
the enthusiasm of a long looked for moment and
said, shake"
Mayor Schmitz dictated the following state
ment tonight:
No matter what the decision of the jury. which
was got under most adverse circumstances re-
garding myself | still maintain and affirm that
/ am absolutely innocent of the crime charged
and will fight the case to the last resort As
saids before my trial. did not expect nor dld
receive fair or even decent treatment at the
hands of Judge Dunno and realizing his preju
dice | made every effort To have the case trans
ferred TO any other Judge in the state | do not
take this as defeat and the decision makes m"
all the more determined to seek and secure jus
tice in another court.
The Mayor will be prisoner tonight but Will
apply for bail pending an appeal when court con-
venes at 10 o'clock Tomorrow morning.