The San Francisco call., 1908-04-26
MURPHY'S HUMOR
DELIGHTS THUGS
Ruef's Old Gang of Toughs
Cheer Attorneys Jeers at
Heney in Courtroom

Joy unalloyed. supreme. boisterous
ran riot through the courtroom In
which Abe Ruef is being tried when
Frank Murphy, one of the learned
counsel for the defense, rose to the
brilliant heights of his unsurpassed
polished, scintillating wit yesterday,
and to Francis J. Heney said:
You have lost your goat. Haw!
hawr'
From the collection of thugs, pre-
cinct toughs and plug uglies acting as
detectives for the defense, and who
thronged the courtroom, came the an
swering approval: Z.
"Haw! haw! haw! Wise up to dat.
Hav. haw"
The spectacle was Illuminating. al
most sublime. Murphy blinked his
little eyes in modest acknowledgment
of his prowess and the shouts and
laughter swelled in volume. Such wit.
Such fanciful play Of words. 1t was
so funny, so remarkably bright that
there was 3 wonder why the shouts
and guffaws should be continued to
an unnecessary length of time. and the
only solution was that the courtroom
was being systematically packed by
the defense for the creating OF senti-
ment. At Ruef's former trial was this
done, but decency demanding justice
intervened. and the gutter spawn skunk
away-or changed coats.
NOLAN RESTRICTS GOSSIP
Now again do the scourings of broth
ell saloon and back parlor flock to
shout for their unholy boss, hoping by
their ribaldry and hoodlumism to free
him. Some there were in the court
room who did not laugh. not possess
ing the necessary proficiency IN the
-. naSf Sf<,-, ~ -
but these were in the minority. Ruef' S
old gang-the same which drove San
Francisco to its shame-was making
another one of its typical efforts to
gain control.
So numerous and overbearing have
become these choice specimens of deg
radiation that Sherif Dolan gave strict
orders TO his deputies yesterday pro-
hibiting the prisoner from holding con-
versation with them as he went to
and from the courthouse Prior to
the issuance of this order Ruef held
daily meetings with his associates on
the courthouse steps. There he gave
joyful greeting to the Banjo Eyed
Kid. 10 Luther Brown and the rest OF
Ike collection working in his favor.
They staggered after him into the
courtroom and stFutted around the cor
rluors, splitting, swearing, smoking.
lhey are found eyerywhere. One pre-
empted a seat at the press table and
refused to give it up and two got as
far as being sworn in as jurors.
There was some disnay among their
ranks yesterday morning when they
discovered Ruef had been driven up in
the prison van.
IF dat amt Abe in de Mary Janer"
they calculated, and their ire was
aroused at this indignity.
fn~
the customary automobile was because
Sheriff Dolan had come to the conclu-
sion that his prisoner was becoming
too conspicuous and he told Ruef that
IL he wanted TO ride in his automobile
he would have to order a cover placed
over the machine. While this is being
done. the prison van will be his ve-
hicie-
The proceedings yesterday were
brief, no new Jurors being sworn In
and only three candidates being exam
ined. They were H. c. Guittard. a
merchant; Robert Mcmillan. a real es-
tate man. and John P. Burn, former
saloon keeper. During Guittard's ex-
animation the former influence welded
by Ruef was developed, showing his
close relations with Herrin and the
that he knew Ruef and that his busi-
ness partner had received "reconmen-
dations" from him for presentation to
the railroad officials.
THREE FOUND PREJUDICED
What did you want from the rail-
road company" he was asked by He
ney.
II wanted to sell supplies to the
gangs working along the line"
And you were allowed that privi-
lege?"
Yea"
Guittard was excused on the ground
Of prejudice, as were also Mcmillan
and Burn. Mcmillan said he was ac-
quainted with the real estate men in
the Parkside deal and was prejudiced.
Burn said he held an opinion regard
ing Ruef's guilt or innocence which
he would find difficult to eradicate. 1t
was during the examination OF Cult
tard that Murphy gave vent to his wit
ticism. He had objected to Heney's