The Kadoka press and Kadoka reporter. [volume] (Kadoka, S.D.) 1910-1923, 1912-04-12
ABE RUEF MAKES
A CONFESSION


Ruef, convicted political boss of San
Francisco, now serving sentence of
fourteen years in San Quenhn peni-
tentiary, began in the San Francisco
Bulletin today a series of articles
which he declares will constitute o
complete expose of the men accused
with him in the graft prosecutions
but not convicted, Without reserva-
ton, he said, 81 shall relate my ac-
tions and the part played by others.o
Ruef goes back ten years, when he
first gained recognition from influen-
tial men. The first period is abridged
by single sentence: "A few years
latter found me associated with the
tool and messenger of the railroads."
The beginning Of this association
with leading railroad official is told
completely and succinctly. HE be-
gan to cour tine. could get passes
and favors from him."
The publication of the articles was
precipitated by an editorial in San
francisco newspaper on April 4, which
characterized Ruef as "human
hyena," and condemned the agitation
for his release.
Directors of public utility corpora
tions and railroads and public officials
and politicians are named by Ruef in
his prologue, and he declares that he
will show how money was promised
and paid.
"Since the heavy doors OF the state
prison closed behind me, :" he says. II
have given much consideration to the
events and influences which ended so
ignominlously life full of hope.
believe much good can come from q
straightforward statement of my ex-
periences.
II have determined to make such a
statement. / shall give circumstantial-
ly all important acts and events. In
cluding those leading up to and en-
bracing the San Francisco graft pros
ecutions."
Here Ruef mentions the granting of
a franchise to a street railway COM
pany and declares he will show how
money was payed for the privilege.
II shall give full account of the fa-
nous Santa Cruz convention which
nominated Gov. Gillette" he contin-
ued. '.and of all my conference in re-
lation thereto"
Ruef begins his narrative with a
confession Of repentance. He says in
part:
with others / co-operated In sell
ing out the city of San Francisco, and
so am in prison cell. 1t has taken
these stone walls, this area six by ten,
where the only light or air is that
which comes from narrow wicket,
to bring me to the full realization of
this betrayal.
II started life buoyantly. When
left the university had the ideals of
the average young man of that per-
iod. How and why my life few SO
wide of its goal now am determined
to trace and to write its detail in the
hope that it may prove Of public ben
eft and make amends for what society
has lost by my work.
II shall write without extenuation
of myself or of those who co-operated
with me. However harshly / may
write. it will be without malice or i'll
will and with no desire to have 9TH
ers suffer as haye suffered"
Ruef tells of having become disgust
ed with politics and with having de-
cided to deYote himself exclusively to
law. He refers to two railroad ''fix-
ers" For ten years was associated
with these two men. / wrote their
platforms. l made their nominating
speeches. Iquit from time to time
and joined the independent and reform
movements, only to learn that they
were controlled Dy the same interests.
A