Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1907-05-18


San Francsco.-Abraham Ruef, FOR
years the political boss OF this city,
| recently indicted on G5 counts charg-
ing bribery and grating in granting
franchises, on Wednesday IN Judge
DUNES court pleaded guilty to the
crime Of ex ortion, the felony for
which he was to have been tried by
the jury already selected,
In pleading guilty he made an i'm
pressiYe address to the judge, saying
he had begun his career in politics
with high ideals for himself and for
the city but that conditions had brolI-
en- him down, and he now desired
only an opportunity to make repara-
tion and restore his character before
the world.
Ruefs change Of plea was to the
utter astonishment of the prosecution.
He read his statement from a manu-
script which he had prepared in the
presence of his attorneys a few mo-
ments before Judge Dunne's cham
bers opened. He showed by his voice,
by his expression, by his gestureless
attitude and by the tears that again
and again flowed down his cheeks the
great emotion and utter humiliation
that he suffered
The pathos of the scene communi-
Gated itself to the crowd that thronged
IN q
eyes of veteran reporters who have
been Ruef's lifelong acquaintances
and whose papers have conducted
against him and his political associ-
ates a long and bitter campaign for
the publication of municipal affairs.
Ruef was several times "a; but over
come by emotion. When he reached
the last words of his address, 81 de-
sire to withdraw my plea of not guilty
and enter the contrary plea" his
voice sank to whisper. But so tense
was the silence that it reached to IT,.
farthest corners of the room.
When he concluded his address he
fell back into his chair, almost faint
ing, and the tears coursed down his
cheeks
His health, he said, could not endure
the strain of the trial which he was
facing, and the torture was beyond
the endurance of those who were near
est and dearest to him.
Before Ruef arose, his attorneys,
Henry Ach, Samuel Shortridge and
Frank Murphy, one after the other,
stated to the court that, owing to a
grave difference of opinion with their
client, each of them must withdraw
from the case.
Judge Dunno, at the termination of
Ruefs address, made no comment, ex-
cept to continue the case two weeks
for sentence.
When Ruef arose to plead the
courtroom was crowded Ruef first
acknowledged the work done by his
various attorneys, thanking them for
their friendship, counsel and guid-
ance. Then he continues:
This trial has become a threaten
ing danger to my health, both mental
and physical.
Il am unable to bear the strain any
longer, The strain on those nearest
and dearest to me Is undermining
them. Their lives hang in the bal
ance and must take some action"
Ruef, who evidently was laborlng
under great emotion, after pausing a
moment, continued
Il have occupied prominent posi-
tion in this city. | hope to remain
here and this will be the place of my
eternal sleep. Heretofore have borne
| an honored name in my professional
life. There has been no strain upon
my honor and until the present board
Of supervisors was elected there was
no. act of mine that could be justly
censured. Nevertheless, owing to the
assaults of the press | have been
placed in wrong light and have been
burdened with bad name. 1t is true
that in order to hold together the
political machine which | had built
up with great difficulty did lower the
high political ideal that had hitherto
upheld.
Tuesday night | reached the con-
clusion that there might still be an
opportunity to make some effort to re-
store myself in the public favor and
be a power for good. will do all
that still lies in my power to help
overthrow the system which has made
possible the terrible corruption of pub
lie officials. To do this | will work
even as the humblest citizen. My tu-
ture career will be one of integrity.
hope can still accomplish some good.
81 am making the greatest sacri-
flee that could befall a human being
of my isposition-namely to acknow-
ledge my faults and my mistakes to
restore myself in public favor. Duty
calls me wherever the path may lead,
but | want the whole world to know
that | am not guilty Of the charge
made against me in this instance
Nevertheless, on account of the rea-
sons stated, withdraw my plea of not
guilty and enter plea of guilty"
AS Ruef resumed his seat he was
trembling and his face was the color
of parchment. Tears coursed down
his cheeks. Many gathered about him
but the bailiff thrust them away.
Ruef sat alone save for the protection
of the bailiff and elisor. His attorneys
were all gone-forced away by his de-
cision to tell ALL and throw himself
upon the courts mercy.
To the point