New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-05-16
RUEF ADMITS GUILT.
EX-BOSS WEEPS IN COURT.
Would Reform and DeU0te Honest
Serllce to San Francisco.

San Francisco. May 15.-Abraham Ruef
nervous and pallid. to-day in Judge Dunne's
court pleaded guilty to extortion. the felony for
which he 10 have been tried by the jury
completed yesterday. In pleading guilty he
made an 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-
dtions had broken him down, and he now de-
sired only opportunity to make reparation
and restore his character before the world.
Judge Dunno at the termination OF Ruef's
address, made no comment, except to continue
the case two weeks for sentence.
At II 90 o'clock Ruef and his attorneys who
had been in consultation. returned to the court
Henry Ach led the way. He was fol-
lowed by Ruef, who looked pale, weak and
self conscious, as though he was laboring under
some terrible mental burden
Ach was the first to speak. He said there had
been a Disagreement between himself and his
client, and that he would be forced to withdraw
from the case. Ruef expressed himself as
agreeable TO this. Ach thereupon left the court
room, and Samuel Shortridge He also
said that he could no longer represent Ruef as
his attorney, and. with his consent. he would
withdraw. Ruef consented and Shortridge went.
Frank Murphy arose and made a similar state
ment. He declared. however. that. while the
longer continue attorney for the defend
ant he would nevertheless remain in the court
room TO give him the benefit Of what advice
and counsel he could.
RUEF"s STATEMENT TO THE COURT.
Ruef arose trembling under a great emotional
strain. He spoke with great difficulty BY this
time the courtroom was crowded and most OF
the spectators were standing. Ruef first
10 5,p Nv >
torneys, thanking them for their friendship
counsel and guidance. Then he continued:
This trial has become q threatening danger
10 my health. both mental and physical. l am
unable to bear the strain any longer. The
strain on those nearest and dearest to me IS
undermining them. They are on the verge OF
collapse. Their lives hang In the balance and
l must take some action.
have occupied prominent position in this
city. l hope TO remain here and this will be
tho place OF my eternal sleep Heretofore
have borne honored name IN my professional
life. There has been stain upon my honor.
and until the present Board Of Supervisors was
elected there was no act OF mine that could
Justly be censured. Nevertheless. owing 10 the
assaults OF the press l have been placed IN Il
wrong light and have been burdened with
bad name.
political machine which l had built up with
great difficulty 1 did lower the high political
ideal that I had hitherto upheld Last night
reached the conclusion that there might still
be an opportunity TO make effort TO re-
store myself in the public favor and be power
for good. l will do all that still lies in my power
TO help overthrow the system which has made
possible the terrible corruption Of public Of
hclas. To do this I will work even as tho
humblest citizen Ny future career Will be
Of integrity. ! hope that can still accomplish
some good.
In am making the greatest sacrifice that
could befall n human being of my disposition
namely. to acknowledge my faults and my mis-
takes TO restore myself In public favor. DUTY
calls me wherever the path may lead, but 1
guilty Of the charge made against me I'm this
instance. Nevertheless. on account Of the rea-
sons stated. I withdrew my plea of not guilty
and entered plea OF guilty.
AS Ruef resumed his seat he was trembling
life leaf. his face the color Of parchment
Tears coursed down his cheeks. A crowd gath
cred about him. but the baifr brushed them
away. Ruef sat alone save for the protection
Of the bailir and the elsor. His attorneys were
all gone-forced away by his decision to tell all
and throw himself upon the courts mercy.
Judge Dunno made order setting the case
over two weeks for sentence. Then Ruef arose
and wearily. still pale and trembling. went out
Of the courtroom with Detective Burns. The
two walked to the corner Of Sacramento and
Webber streets. where they entered an automo-
bile and drove to the house in Fillmore street.
which is Ruef's prison.
PROTESTS INNOCENCE OF CHARGE.
In the course of a long interview this after
noon Ruef said
l changed my plea to guilty to-day. yes; but
pledge my solemn word that am innocent. 1
have been guilty OF conniVing at the corrup-
tion of municipal officials by corporations, but in
these French restaurant cases am not guilty.
Since my action of this morning l can have no
motive in misleading any one on this point. 1
shall not mislead any Never, never in the
wide world could / have been convicted on this
charge No knew this as we'll as myself.
Then why, one might ask, did plead guilty? 1
pleaded guilty TO save the lives of those who are
nearest and dearest to me on earth. l am not
overstating the truth when I say that If my
father my mother and my sister had been com
PEELED to endure the strain OF my trial. lasting
at least two months and possibly longer, IL would
have cost their lives.
Ruefs eyes were filed with tears when he
said this He turned and for full moment
oazed out of the window. When he had mas
Continued third page.
AFTER I'll uSHER'S THE SCOTCH.