The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-16
San Francisco's Political Boss, on Trial for ExtOrtiOO, Makes
 an Impressive Address
IN TEARS BEGS CHANCE ID
 RESTORE HIS CHARACTER
His Health Will Not Stand the Strain. Attorneys Withdraw From Case. Judge Dunne contiues Case
 Two Weeks for Sentence.

San Francisco. May 15.--Abraham Ruef, nervous and pallid, today in Judge l Dunnes court pleaded guilty to the crime 1 of extortion, the felony for which he was to have been tried by the jury al- ready selected. In pleading guilty he ma1e ar impressive address to the judge, stating that he had commenced his ca reer in politics with high ideals, for him self ana for the city, but that conditions had boken him down and he desired only an opportunity to make reparation and restore his character before the world. l As he concluded his address he fell back l 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 ewing to a grave difference of opin- l ion with their client each of them must withdraw from the case. Ruef in his address spoke with emotion of the fdei- I.y of his counsel. Judge Dunne at the termination of Ruef's address made no i comment except to continue the case two weeks for sentence.
 Attorneys Quit Him.
 At tsnsininutes to 12 o'clock Ruef and 1 his attorneys who had been in consulta- l ton, returned to the court room. Henry l Ach led the way. He was followed by i kues who looked pale, weak and self conscious as though he was laborlng un- 1 der some terrible mental strain. Ach was ] the first to speak. He said there had 1 been a disagreement between himself and his client and that he would be forced | to withdraw from the case. Ruef eX- pressed himself as agreeable to this. l Ach thereupon left the court room and l Samuel Shortridge arose. He also said that he could no longer represent Ruet l as his attorney and with Ruef's consent he would withdraw. Ruef consented and l Shortridge left Frank Murphy rose and | made a similar statement. He declared, l however, that while the case had reached l a point where he could no longer continue l as an attorney for the defendant he would nevertheless remain in the court room to give him the beneht or what ad- vice he could.
 Ruef rose, trembling under great emo tonal strain. He spoke with great diff- culty By this time the court room was 1 crowded and most of the spectators were standing. Ruef first acknowledged the work done by his various attorneys, thanking them for their friendship, coun- l sel and guidance. Then he continued:
 Trial Too Great a Strain.
 This trial has become threatening 1 danger to my health, both mental and | physical. am unable to bear the strain 1 any longer. The strain on those nearest | tn is them. 1 They are on the verge of collapse. Their , lives hang in the balance, and l must take some action"
 Ruef, who evidently was laboring under l great emotion, after pausing a moment, continued:
 "I have occupied a prominent position l in this city. I hope to remain here, and this will be the place of my eternal sleep. l Heretofore l have borne an honored name in my professional 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 could be justly censured. Nevertheless owing to the assaults of the press, l have been placed in a wrong light and have been burdened with had name.
 "It is true that in order to hold to- l gether the political machine which I had built up with great difficulty 1 did lower the high political idea that had hitherto upheld. Last night l reached the conclusion that there might still be an opportunity to make some enort to restore myself in the public favor and be a power for good I will do all that | still lies in my power to help overthrow the system which has made possible the terrible corruption of public officials. To | do this I will work even as the humblest citizen. My future career will be one or integrity. I hope that l can still accom- 1 plish some good.
 Not Guilty of Charge.
 q am making the greatest sacrifice that could befall a human being Of my l disposition-namely to acknowledge my faults and mistakes to restore 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 or | the charge made against me in this ln- stance Nevertheless on account Of the reasons stated l withdraw my plea or not gulty and enter plea of guilty.
 As Ruef resumed his seat he was trem- bling like a leaf, his face the color or parchment Tears coursed down his cheeks A crowd gathered about him but the bailiff brushed them away. Ruef sat alone save for the protection of the bailin and the elisor. His attorneys were all gone-forced away by his decision to tell all and throw himself upon the. courts mercy. Judge Dunne made an order setting the case over two weeks for sen- tence.
 Then Ruef arose and wearily, still pale and trembling, went out of the court room with Detective Burns The two walked to the corner of Sacramento and 1 Webber streets, where they entered an automobile and drove to the house on Fillmore street. which is Ruefs prison.
 While in consultation with his attorneys during the recess just before noon, Ruef tainted. His condition was regarded as serious but he soon rev~yed. He was trembling and pale, however.
 His attorneys grouped about him in vain effort to cheer him up.
 Will Expose Guilty.
 | During an interview following the scene | in court, Ruef confessed that he is guilty ] of having connived in the corruption in