Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1907-05-23
ABE RUFF TALKS
Of CIVIC MORALITY


' '
San Francisco, May 16.-Here is the
verbatim statement made yesterday in
court by Abraham Ruef, wherein the
indicted boss pleads guilty to. the
| himself repentant of wrongdoing and
eager to make reDaration:
"If your Honor please, with the per-
mission of the Court | desire to make
statement. | do so only after a short
consultation with my attorneys, to
whom | 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. Not
withstandng the Courts finding yes
terday that this trial might safely be
carried on without serious injury to
my health, physical or mental, wish
to assure you that my personal condi-
ton is such that l 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 preparation therefor,
the necessary consultation and CONVEX
sation with my attorneys in regard
thereto, to say nothing of other cares
and responsibilities. Moreover, the
strain of these proceedings upon those
whom | hold nearest and dearest of
all on earth has been so grave and
severe that as a result of these prose-
cutions their health has all been UNDER
mined, they are on the verge Of i'm
mediate collapse, and their lives are
now actually III the balance.
TELLS OF DOWNFALL.
Il have occupied a somewhat prom
inent posiuon in this city of my birth,
in which 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. | have
borne an honored name. In my pri-
vate and in my professional life there
has been no stain. In my public affil-
iations, until after the municipal cam
paign Of 1905 and the election OF the
present Board OF Supervisors, the alb
norrent charges of the press TO the
contrary Notwithstanding, no action of
mine ever gave just ground for adj
verse criticism or deserved censure;
but the assault OF the press and their
failure to credit honesty of purpose, a
desire to hold together a political or
ganizaton which has been built up
with much effort, the means of holding
them, did after the election of this
Board OF Supervisors in a measure in
liuence me and the high ideals for
Which | had heretofore striven. Dur
ing the past f.N weeks | 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 repara-
ton for the public good is, however,
more than possible. To assist in MAX
ing more difficult, if not impossible,
the system which dominates our pub.
lie men and corrupts our politics will
be welcome task. | have decided that
whatever energy or abilities L possess
for the future shall be devoted even
in the hublest capacity, to restoring
the ideals which have been lowered
shall as soon as opportunity be ac-
corded, be re-enlisted on the side of
good citizenship and integrity. May it
be allotted to me at some time here
after to have at least some small part
IN the re-establishing on a clear, sane
basis, a plane of high civic morality
and just reciprocal relations between
the constantly struggling constituent
elements of our governmental and in
dustrial life
In the meantime, | begin by earn
eStnesS OF purpose, a purpose to make
the greatest sacrifice which can befall
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 it right l reached this final
determination last night after careful
reflection and deliberation. Where
duty calls | intend to follow, whittier
hereafter the path of my life.and how
over unpleasant and painful may be
the result. ] make this statement so
that the court and the whole world
may know at least the motives which
have guided me in the step | am about
to take.
AS an earnest | have determined
to make beginning. | am not guilty
of the offense charged in this indict-
ment. | ask, now, however. that this
jury be dismissed from further consid-
Grafton of this case | desire to with
draw 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 its con-
Sideration.'