The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-06-14

San Francisco, June 1.-THE anti-graft
crusaders bagged big game last night
when n jury declared Mayor Eugene "A.
schmitz guilty OF extorting money from
the keepers OF French restaurants OF this
city. The mayor was prisoner last night,
but will apply for bail pending an appeal
when court convenes today
The conviction is the first formal one
in the graft cases, and is n redemption
OF the pledge OF ABE" Ruef, who. when
ne was indicted for similar offence,
pleaded guilty and announced his purpose
OF redeeming himself, In degree, by do
ing all In his power TO bring other Of
lenders 10 justice. Ruef appeared as a
witness against Schmitz
Schmitz received the verdict coolly.
and sat unmoved with his left hand sup
porting his chin. He did not understand
the announcement OF the foreman, appar-
entity, and asked his counsel, What Is
Mr
Guilty" the lawyer replied. schmitzs
hand dropped TO the table but he said
nothing and showed no signs OF emotion.
Judge Dunno announced that judgment
will be pronounced June "a Motions re-
garding the case will also be heard on
that date.
The Jury was out an hour and rs min
utek. Even before Judge Dunno reached
the synagogue, hurried thither by an au-
tomobile. when the jury was ready 10 re-
port. nearly 1000 men had gathered in
Bush street. and was clamorlng at the
doors.
AS Judge Dunno entered by a rear way
the crowd stormed the building from the
front
When Foreman Capp said Guilty"
the silence was broken in n hundred
places at once. A iong-drawn "Ah" ran
through the crowd, and there were many
cries OF Good"
Rudolph Spreckles, whose wealth made
possible the whole bribe-graft prosecu-
sion. was walking swiftly down the right
aisle as the sentence fell from the fore
mans lips. He sank into nearby seat
as IL arrested by some sharp command
All over the house people were jumping
up now, and some OF them turned 10 the
strangers at their elbows and thrust olt
their hands In the enthusiasm OF a long
looked-for moment, and said: "Shake." +"
The morning OF the last day OF the
mayors trial was taken up with Attor-
ney Campbells closing address OF the de-
fence. The afternoon was consumed by
Assistant District Attorney Heney in a
fierce speech for the state.
The reading by Judge Dunno Of his
charge 20 the jury occupied nearly an
hour Throughout all the afternoon the
unprecedented crowd that flled every seat
leries OF the synagogue sat or stood tight
wedged. tense and unweary.
Judge Dunno. I'm defining 90 the jury
what the law means by a threat In con-
nection with extortion. said II must be
such threat as would naturally cause
man OF reasonably firm mind 10 give
up his property i'm fear. He cautioned
that a threat In extortion need not be
verbal or direct. II may be unspoken
and implied and yet come within the
meaning OF the law. lie chaved that
even n Schmitz had received part OF the
money paid TO Ruef by the French res-
faurant men. but did not know at the
time OF receiving II that Il had been paid
under threat. the defendant must be- ac-
quilted.
scHMrTz vows INNOCENCE.
Mayor schnitz dictated the following
statement.
mo matter what the decision Of the
Jury, which was gotten under most ad-
verse circumstances regarding myself. I
still maintain and affirm that am abso-
lutely innocent Of the crime charged and
viii hght the case 20 the last resort.
said before my trial. I ala not expect nor
did receive fair or even decent trea..