The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1907-05-23
RUFF GUILTY
OF EXTORTIOE
SAN FRANCISCO BOSS THoWs
HIMSELF ON COURTS MERCY.
HIS HEALTH Is AFFECTED
Could Not Endure Strain Of the Trial
and Torture Was to Great for
Those Nearest Him. Wants Case
Continued for Two Weeks.

OOuCluuou LOT Two weeks.
San Francisco, Cal. - Abraham
Ruef, nervous and pallid, in Judge
Dunn's court pleaded guilty to the
crime Of extortion, the felony for
which he was to have been tried by
the jury already selected. In plead
ing guilty he made an impressive ad-
dress to the judge saying that he
had begun 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 OPP
portunity to make reparation 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, Ruef 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 Shortrindge and
Frank Murphy, one by one, arose and
stated that owing to a grave differ
ence 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 Dunn at the termination of
Ruef's address made no comment ex-
cept to continue the case two weeks
for sentence.
Ruef and his attorneys, who had
been in consultation, returned to the
courtroom. Henry Ach led the way.
He was followed by Ruef, who looked
pale, weak and self-conscious, as
though he was laboring under some
terrible mental strain.
Ach was the first to speak. He
said there had been a disagreement
between himself and his client, and
that he would be forced to withdraw
from the case, Ruef expressed him
self as agreeable to this. Ach there
upon left the courtroom, and Samuel
Shortride arose. He also said that
he could no longer represent Ruef
as his attorney and with Ruef's con-
sent he would withdraw Ruef con-
sented and Shortridge left. Frank
Murphy arose and made similar
statement. He declared however, that
while the case had reached point
where he could no longer continue as
an attorney for the defendant he
would nevertheless remain in the
courtroom to give him the benefit of
what advice he could.
Ruef arose trembling under great
emotional strain. He spoke with
great difficulty. By this time the
courtroom was crowded and most of
the spectators were standing Ruef
first acknowledged the work done by
his various attorneys, than ing them
for their friendship, counsel and
guidance. Then he continued:
"This trial has become a threaten
ing danger to my health, both mental
and physician. I 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 I must take some ac-
ton.
81 have occupied prominent po-
sition in this city. hope to remain
here, and this will be the place of my
eternal sleep. Heretofore I 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 could
be justly censured. Nevertheless, ow-
ing to the assaults of the press, ]
have been placed in wrong light,
and I have been burdened with bad
name.
1t is true that in order to hold
together the political machine which
I had built up with great difficulty
I did lower the high political ideal
that I had hitherto upheld. Last night
I reached the conclusion that there
might still be an opportunity to make
some effort to restore myself in the
public favor, and be power for
good. I will do all in my power to
help overthrow the system which has
made possible the terrible <corrup-
ton Of public officials. To do this /
will work even as the humblest citi-
- a