The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1907-05-16
Politician Pleads Guilty but
Asserts Innocence.
SCHMlTZ "GANGOF BUNS"
Lawyer Once Called Boss Of City
Makes Sacrifice 10 Save His
Family.

ham Ruef, nervous ana pnlliu, In Judge
DUNES court pleaded guilty to the
crime OF extortlon. the felony for which
he was to have been tried by the jury
already selected
In pleading guilty he made an i'm.
presslve address TO the judge. stating
that he had commenced his career In
politics with high ideals for himself
and for the city. but that conditions
had broken him down. and he now de-
sired only an opportunity TO make rep
aratlon and restore his character be-
fore the world.
Before Ruef arose, bis attorneys
Henry Ach. Samuel Shortridge and
Frank Murphy-one by one arose and
stated that owing 10 n grave difference
Of opinion with their client each OF
them must withdraw from the case.
Ruef rose. trembling under a great
emotional strain lie spoke with great
difficulty. by this time the courtroom
was crowded. and most Of the specta-
tors were standing. Ruef first ac-
knowledged the work done by his varl-
GUS attorneys. thanking them for their
friendship. counsel and guidance. Then
he continued:
This trial has become a threatening
danger TO my health. both mental and
physical. I am unable 10 bear the
strain any longer. The strain on those
nearest aud dearest 10 me Is under
...f..f.... sl..., rsh.w 4. -. an tl.. var.,. -
collapse. Their lives hang In the bal.
ance. and must take some action"
Rucf. who evidently was hboring
under great emotion. after pauslng n
moment continued:
Il have occupied n prominent POSI-
ton In this city. I hope Ia 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 stain upon my
honor. End until the present board Of
supervisors was elected there was no
act Of mine that could h. Justly cen
sured. Nevertheless. owing 10 the as-
saults OF the press. I have been placed
IN n wrong light aud have been bur.
dencd with a had name.
EFT Is true that In order 10 hold to
gctber the political machine which
had built M with great difficulty did
lower the high political Ideal that I
Ind hitherto upheld. Last night I
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
20 help overthrow the system which
has made possible the terrible corrup-
ton Of public officials. To do this I
will work even ~ the humblest citizen.
My future career will be- one 81 In
tegrtty. hope that | can still accom-.
pllsh some good.
Il am making the greatest sacrifice
that could befall n human being Of my
disposition - namely. 10 acknowledge
my faults aud my mistakes 90 restore
myself In public favor. Duty calls Tue
wherever the path may lead. but
want the whole world 20 know that
am not guilty Of the charge made
against me In this instance. Never.
theless. ON account 81 the reasons stat
cd I Withdrew my plea ~ not guilty
and entered a plea of guilty"
As Ruef resumed his seat he was
trembling like leaf. his face the
color Of parchment. Tears cour.ed
down his cheeks A crowd gathered
about him. but the ballIn brushed them
away. 1iuef sat alone save for the
protection 81 the balllff aud the ellsor.
His attorneys were all gone forced
away by his decision 60 tell all aud
throw himself upon the courts mercy.
Judge Dunno made an order setting
the case over two weeks for sentence
Then Rucf arose aud YEARLY. still
pale and trembling. went out ~ the
courtroom with Detective Burns. The
two walked 20 the corner ~ sacra.
menio aud Webster streets, where they
entered nm automobile and drove 10 the
house ON Fillmore street which IL
Ruefs prison.
While In consultation with MI. nc.
torneys during the recess Ruef tainted.
Though Abraham Ruef has formally
declared himself a. h. guilty ~ the
chsrge on which he was about a. he
tried. he nevertheless proclaims his In.
nocence. lie confcsscs that he II gull.
~ Of having conniyed nj corruption In
municipal affairs. but he denies. with
all the emphasis man IN his unhappy
position can command. that he IN gull.
" ~ the crime II extortlon charged
against him. lie declares that his solo
motive In accusing himself In open
court was TO save the lives ~ those
who are nearest and dearest 10 him
his aged father aud mother. his maiden
sister and n niece.
II changed my plea 10 guilty today.
he said, but pledge my solemn word
that I am Innocent. have been gull
~ OF conniving nc the corruption Of
municipal officials by corporations. hui
In these French restaurants cases an
not guilty. Since my action Of THU
morning I can have no motive IN mis-
leading any one ON this point shall
not mislead any one. Never. never II