The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1907-05-17
NERVOUS AND PAHL|D
Ruef Pleads Guilty to Crime
Of ExtoltiOn
ADDRESSES THE COURT
Wanted an Opportunity to Make
Reparatlon
Defendant Nearly in State of Collapse
at Conclusion of Address-Leaves
the Court Room Pale and Tremb-
Iing-Jndgc Sets Case Over for Two
Weeks When Sentence WEI be Pro-
nOunced.

nOunced.
San Francisco, May 15.-Abraham
Ruef, nervous and palld, today in
Judge Dunnes court pleaded guilty to
extortion, the felony for which he was
to have been tried by the jury already
selected. In pleading guilty he made
an impressive address to the judge,
stating that he had commenced his
career in politics with high ideals for
himself and for the city, but that con
ditions had broken them down, and he
now desired only an opportunity to
make reparation and restore his char
acter before the world.
After he concluded his address he
fell back into mis- chair. almost faint
ing and tears coursed down his cheeks
His health, he said could not en-
dure the strain of the trial which ne
was facing and the torture was be-
yOnd the endurance Of those who were
nearest and dearest tc hin..
Before Ruef arose nis attorneys,
Henry Ach, Samuel Sbortridge 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 {; ON the case.
Ruef in his address spoke with
emotion of the fidelity of his counsel.
Continuing he said.
This trial has become threaten
ing danger to my health, both mental
and physical | am unable to bear
those dearest and dearest to me Is
undermining them. They are on the
verge of collapse. Their lives nang in
the balance and l must lake some ac-
ton"
Ruef who, evidently was daboring
under great emotion, after pausing q
moment, continued:
II have occupied a prominent posi-
tfou in this city. I hope to remain
here, and this will be the place Of
borne an honored name in my pro-
fessional life There has been no
stain upon my honor and until the
present board of supervisors was elect
ed there was no act Of mine that
could be justly censu1 ed. Neverthe-
less, owing to the assaults of the press
l have been placed in a wrong light
and have been burde1ed with a bad
name. = J
1T is true that in order to hold to-
gether the political machine which
built up with great difficulty I did
lower the high political ideal that T
hitherto upheld. Last night I reached
the conclusion that thJre might still
be an opportunity to make some eff
fort to restore myself in the public
favor and be power tor good. will
do all that stiH 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 of In
teSJfty. L nope tnat cau stIIl ac-
NJ f1omp1ish some good.
'I am making the greatest sacrifice
that could befall human being OF my
isposition-namely, to acknowledge
my faults and mistakes to restore my
self in public favor.
DUTY calls me wherever the path
may lead, but 1 want the whole world
to know that I, am not guilty of the
charge made against me in this IN
stance Nevertheless on account of the
reasons stated, I withdrew my plea of
not guilty and entered n plea OF gull
ty'
Judge Dunno made an order. setting
the case over two weeks for sentence
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 Sacremen-
I'd and Webber streets, where they
entered an automobile and drove tc
the house ON Fillmore street, which il
Ruefs prison. J;