Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1907-05-22
RUFF PLEADS GUILTY BUT
DECLARES HE IS INNOCENT
Lawyers Withdraw from Case Because of
the Decision
Promises to Assist in Oyerthrowng the
Corrupt System
Court Postpones Case for Two Weeks
for Sentence

San Francisco, May 16.-Abraham
Ruef, nervous and pallid, yesterday
in Judge Dunno court pleaded guilty
to the crime of extortion, a felony for
which he was to have been tried by
a jury already selected. In pleading
guilty he made an impress We address
10 the judge, stating that ne had CON
menced his career in politics with
high ideals for himself and the city
but that conditions had broken M
down, and he now desired only an op
portunity to make reparation and re
store his character before the world
At 1850 Ruef and his attorneys
who mad been in consultation, re.
turned to the courtroom. Henry Ach
led the way. He was followed by
Ruef, who looked pale, weak and sell
conscious as though he was laboring
under some terrible mental burden
Ach was the first to speak He
said there had been disagreement
between himself and his client and
that he would be forced to withdraw
from the case. Ruef expressed him.
self agreeabl to this. Ach thereupon
left the courtroom and Samuel Short
ridge arose. He also said he could
no longer represent Ruef as his at
torney, and with Ruef's consent. ne
would withdraw. Ruef consented
hpr vi LOFT
rose and made similar statement
He declared, however, that while the
case had reached point where ne
could no longer continue TO act as
attorney for the defendant, he would
nevertheless remain in the courtroom
to give him the benefit of what advice
and counsel he could.
Ruef rose, trembl ng under great
emotional strain. He spoke with
great difficulty. By this time the
courtroom was crowded and most of
the spectators We're standing Ruef
first cknowledged the work done by
is various attorneys, anking them
for their friendship, counsel and guild
L
Could Bear Strain No Longer.
This trial has become a threaten
ing danger to my health, both mental
and physical. | 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
N the balance and | must take some
action
NeWspapermen Weep.
During the reading of his statement
Ruef was several times all but over
come by emotion. He showed in his
voice. expression of his face, his quiet
and gestureless attitude and tears
that again and again overflow ed his
eyes, the great emotion and utter hui
initiation he suffered. The pathos OF
the scene was communicated to the
crowd that thronged the courtroom
Tears sprang to the eyes of veteran
who had been lifelong
acquairt ances and whose papers have
conducted against him and his poIit-
zeal associates a long and bitter cam
paign for the publication OF mum cipal
affairs.
When he reached the final words OF
his address: 4 desire to withdraw
my plea OF not guilty and enter the
contrary plea. "-Ruef's voice was
sunk to a whisper. But so intense
was the lence that it reached to the
far corners Of the room At the con
clusion of Ruefs statement there was
a sigh of relief throughout the court
room.
Denies Guilt of Extortion.
Later he talked freely and frankly
with the Associated Press though
several times he was interrupted by
his emot ons. He admitted that he is
guilty of having conniyed in corrup-
tion in municipal affairs, but he de.
MES with all the emphasis a man in
his unhappy position can command
that he is guilty of the crime of ex-
torton charged against him He de-
clares his sole motive in accusing
himself in open court was to save the
lives of those who are nearest and
dearest to him, his aged father and
mother, his maiden sister and niece.
You don't know what they have
suffered in these last few months, and
l would not tell you if / could. Why.
night after night-every nigbt--my
father and my sister have come up
here into my room and sat for an
hour saying nothing. seeing nothing
l could not stand it any longer"
Again tears and the choking and
the long look out of the window
Prepares Family for Ordeal.
Last night" he continued, 81
gathered my family about me in this
of mine and prepared
them for the act l had determined
unon That would mean one day of
sorrow. TO go on would have meant
months of agony and-death'
Ruef then went into the story of
the occurrences in San Francisco.
declaring his innocence of having con
nection with the French restaurant
and asserting that year
ago he tried to break away from
Schptz, but at the mayors earnest
solicitation No rarnainad and bus1t mn