Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1907-05-16
His Counsel Withdraw from The
Case and Accused Man Made
Statement to The Court.
ONCE HAD HIGH POLITICAL IDEALS
But They Were Shattered When He
Began to Handle the Last Board OF
supervlsors-Wants to Lead De-
scent Life and Become Good
Citizen.
INV Associated Press )

SAN FRANCISCO, CAL, May 15.-
Abraham Ruef, nervous and paid,
today in Judge Dunne's court pleaded
guilty TO the crime of extortiOn. the
felony for which he was to have
been tried by the jury already Sc
lected. 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 foi" the city, but that
conditions had broken him Gown and
he now desired only an opportunity
TO make reparation and restore his
character before the world. After
he concluded his address he fell back
into his chair almost fainting and
tears cUursed down his cheeks. His
health, he said, could not endure the
strain OF the trial which he was fac.
ing, and the torture was beyond tho
endurance OF those who were nearest
and nearest to him.
Before. Rueff arose his Attorneys,
Henry Ach, Samuel Shortridge and
Frank Murphy, one by one, arose ana
stated that owing to II grave differ
ence OF opinion with their client
each OF them must withdraw from
the case! 4Asi q Aty7, - ~, 80 ~
Ruef in his, address spoke with
emotion of the fidelity of his counsel.
Continuing he said: This trial has
become a threatening danger to my
health, both mental and physical.
am unable to bear the strain any
longer The strain on those nearest
ana dearest to me is undermining
them. They are on the verge of col
lapse. Their lives hang in the bal
ance and must take some action"
Ruef Was Deeply Moved.
Ruef, who evidently was laboring
under great emotion. after pausing a
moment continued: 81 have occupied
prominent position in this city. |
hope to remain here and this will be
the place of my eternal sleep. Here.
tofore have horne an honored name
in my professional life There has
been no stain upon my honor and
until the present board of supervis.
ors was elected there was no act
of mine that could be justly censured.
Nevertheless, owing to the assaults OF
the press l have leen placed in a
wrong light and have been burdened
with Il bad name.
1t Is true that in order to hold
together the political machine which
II had built up with great difficulty
did lower the high political ideal
that had hitherto upheld Last night
| reached the conclusion that there
might still be an opportunity to make
some effort to restore myself in the
public favor and be 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 public officials. To do
this will work even as the humbliest
citizen. My future career will be
one of integrity. hope that ! can
still accomplish some good.
Hard to Acknowledge Mistakes.
81 am making the greatest sacrifice
that could befall a human being OF my
spostion-namely, to acknowledge
my faults and 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 .ofsthe charge made
against me in fSsginstance. Never.
theless on account of the reasons
stated withdraw my plea of not
guilty and enter n plea of guilty."
Judge Dunno made an order setting
the case over two weeks for sentence.
fhon Ruef arose and YEARLY, still
pale and trembling, went ont of the
court room with Detective Burns.
The two walked TO the corner of Sac.
ramento and Weber streets where
they entered an automobile and drove
to the house on Fillmore street, which
is Ruef's prison.