The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1907-05-16
Sensational Scene in
Court Room.
OLD CRATER BEGINS
HIS LIFE OVER AGAIN
Announces That He Will Break 10
His Machine.
When He Decides To Plead Guilty. In
Foraker BY Counsel hut Makes
Pathetic Statement of HI.
Fall From Grace.

san Francisco. May 15.-Abraham
Ruef. nervous and paIlid today in
Judge DUNES court, pleaded guilty to
the crime of extortion, the felony for
which he was to have been tried by
the Jury already selected.
In pleading guilty he made an i'm
pressive address to the Judge. stating
that he had commenced his career in
politics with high ideals, for himself
and for the city. but that conditions
had broken him down and he desired
only an opportunity to make repara-
ton and restore his character before
the world.
As he concluded his address he fell
back into his chair almost fainting
and the tears flowed down his cheeks.
His health he 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 dearest to him.
Before Ruef arose, his attorneys.
Henry Ach. Samuel Shortridge and
Frank Murphy. one by one. arose. and
stated that owing to a grave difference
of opinion with their client, each OF
them must withdraw from the case.
Ruef. in his address spoke with
emotion of the fidelity of his coun-
sci.
Judge Dunno at the termination OF
Ruef's address made no commept ex-
cept to continue the case two weeks
for sentence.
At ten minutes te IL o'clock, Ruer
and his attorneys. who had been In
consultation. returned to the court
room. Henry Ach led the way. He
was followed by Rnef. who looked pale.
weak and self conscious as though he
was laboring under some terrible mem
tai strain.
Ach Quits the Case.
Ach was the first to speak. He said
there had been a disagreement be-
tween himself and his client and that
he would be forced to withdraw from
the case. Ruef EXPRESSED himself as
agreeable TO this. Ach thereupon lett
: the court room and samuel ShortrfdGR,
arose. He also said that he could NJ
longer represent Ruef as his attorney
and with Ruefs concent, he would
withdraw. Ruef consented and snort
ridge left the court room.
frank Murphy arose and made the
similar statement. He declared, how
ever, that while the case had reached
point where ne could no longer con
tiue as an attorney for the defendant
he would nevertheless. remain In ths
court room to give him TIE benefit OF
what advice he could.
Ruef rose. trembling under great
emotional strain. He spoke with
great difficulty. By this time ths
court room was crowded and most OF
tbs spectators were standing. Ruef
hrst acknowledged the work done py
his various attorneys, thanking them
for their friendship, counsel ana guld'
ancc. Then he continued:
Ruef made the following statement
in court:
ing danger to my health. both mental
and physical. / am unable to bear
the strain any longer. The strain op
those nearest and dearest to me Is un~
dermining them. They are on TINS
: ve,ee of collapse. Their lives hang
in the balance and l must take some
action" Ruef who evidently was
laboring under great emotion, after
pausing moment said:
II have occupied a prominent posi-
ton in this city. hope to remain
|, here and this will be the place OF my
eternal sleep. Heretofore have
borne an honored name in my profess
; sional life. There has been no stain
on my honor and until the present
Board of Supervisors was elected.
there was No act of mine that would
he Justly censured. Nevertheless.
owing to the assaults of the press,
have been placed In wrong light
ana have been burdened with bad
name.
1 Lowered Political Ideals.
ut is true that for the purpose OF
holding together the political machine
3 which I had built up with great dif-
Mhculty. l did lower the high political
81 idea that | had hitherto upheld. Last
1 night l reached the conclusion that
E there might still be an opportunity TO
make some effort to restore myself in
the public favor and be power for
E good / will do all that still lies In
Z nv power to help overthrow the syS-
TEN which has made possible the ter
rible corruption of the public officials.
To do this l will work even an the
humblest citizen. My future career
/ Will be one OF integrity. ! hope that
can still accomplish some good.
. Il am making the greatest sacri-
fee that could befall a human being
OF my disposition. namely. to acknowl-
: edge my faults and mistakes to re-
store myself in public favor Duty
calls me wherever the path may lead.
but I want the whole world to know
that I am not guilty of the charge
made against me in this instance.
Nevertheless, on account of the rea-
sons stated, / withdraw my plea OF
not guilty and enter a plea of guilty"
AS Ruef resumed his seat he was
trembling like leaf, his face the
color of parchment. Tears coursed
} down his cheeks crowd gathered
about him but the bailif brushed them
away Ruef sat alone save for the
protection of the bailiff and the elisor,
! His attorneys were all Eone-forced
away by his decision to tell all and
throw himself upon the courts mercy.
Judge Dunno made an order setting
the case over two weeks for sentence.
| Then Ruef arose and wearfly, still
3 male and trembling, went out OF the
5 court room with Detective Burns.
The two walked to the corner or Sac
ramento and webber Streets. where
thew entered an automobile and drova
TO the house on Fillmore Street. which
is Ruefs prison.
While In consultation with his at
torneys during tho recess Just before
noon, Ruef tainted. His condition
was regarded as serious but he SOON
revived He was trembling ana pale.