The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1907-05-31
RUEF'S
CONFESSION

heTc " tne NerDatlm statement mau'
In court by Abraham Ruef wherein tn,
indicted boss pleads guilty to tn,
charge of extortion. and expresses him.
self repentant of wrongdolng and eager
to make reparation:
''If your Honor please, with the per.
mission of the court I desire to make
a statement. do so only after a
short consultation with my attorneys
to whom I have only within the last
| half hour disclosed my determination
and against their expressed protest.
take this occasion to thank them for
their services. fidelity and friendship
Notwithstanding the courts finding
yesterday that this trial might safely
be carried on without serious injury
to my health, physical or mental, ]
wish to assure you that my personal
condition is such that I am at the
present time absolutely unable to bear
| for two or three months daily the
strain of an actual trial of this case,
the constant continual, nightly prepar-
alton therefor, the necessary consulta-
tion and conversation with my attor-
neys In regard thereto, to say nothing
of other cares and responsibilities.
Moreover, the strain of these proceed
ings upon those whom l hold nearest
and dearest of all on earth has been
SO grave and severe that as a result
of these prosecutions their health has
all been undermined, they are on the
verge of immediate collapse, and their
lives are now actually in the balance.
TELLS OF DOWNFALL.
II have occupied somewhat prom
inent position in this city of my birth,
in which l have lived all my life,
where are all my ties and interests,
whence when the time shall come
hope to pass into the eternal sleep. I
have borne an honored name. In my
private and in my professional life
there has been no stain. In my public
affiliations, until after the municipal
campaign Of 1905 and the election of
the present Board of Supervisors, the
abhorrent charges of the press to the
contrary Notwithstanding, no action of
mine ever gave just ground for ad-
verse criticism or deserved censure: but
the assault of the press and their fail
ure to credit honesty of purpose. q de-
sire to hold together a political or
ganiZation which has been built up
with much effort. the means of holding
them, did after the election of this
Board of Supervisors in measure in
fiuence me and the high ideals for
which / had heretofore striven. Dur
ing the past few weeks I have thought
deeply and often of this situation. its
causes and conditions.
ITO offer excuses now would be fol-
ly. To make an effort at some epar-
alton for the public good is, however,
more than possible. To assist in maxi
ing more difficult, If not impossible,
the system which dominates our public
men and corrupts our politics will be
welcome task. 1 have decided that
whatever energy or abilities 1 possess
for the future shall be devoted, even in
the humblest capacity, to restoring the
ideals which have been lowered-shall,
as soon as opportunity be accorded, be
reenlisted on the side of good citizen
ship and integrity. May it be allotted
to me at some time hereafter to have
at least some small part in the re-
establishing on a clear, sane basis,
plane of high civic morality and Just
reciprocal relations between the con-
stantly struggling constituent elements
of our governmental and Industrial life.
I'm the meantime, begin by earnest
ness of purpose, a purpose to make the
greatest sacrifice which can befall a
human being of my disposition to
make, to acknowledge whatever there
may have been of wrong or mistake,
and so far as may be within my power
to make 1t right. 1 reached this final
determination last night after careful |
reflection and deliberation. Where duty |
calls 1 intend to follow. whittier here
after the path of my life and however |
and painful may be the re-
suit. 1 make this statement so that |
the court and the whole world may |
know at least the motives which have |
guided me in the step l am about to |
take.
AS an earnest I have determined to |
make beginning. 1 am not guilty of |
the offense charged in this Indictment.
l ask, now, however, that this jury be |
dismissed from further consideration of |
this case. 1 desire to withdraw my
plea of not guilty heretofore entered
and to enter the contrary plea, and at |
the proper time submit to the court |
further suggestions for it's considera-
tion."
THE SCENr TN Corrpm