Abraham Ruef (September 2, 1864 – February 29, 1936) was an American lawyer and politician. He gained notoriety as the corrupt
political boss
In the politics of the United States of America, a boss is a person who controls a faction or local branch of a political party. They do not necessarily hold public office themselves; most historical bosses did not, at least during the times of th ...
behind the administration of Mayor
Eugene Schmitz
Eugene Edward Schmitz (August 22, 1864 – November 20, 1928), often referenced as "Handsome Gene" Schmitz, was an American musician, musical director, and politician. He served as the 26th mayor of San Francisco from 1902 to 1907, in office dur ...
of San Francisco during the period before and after the
1906 San Francisco earthquake
At 05:12 AM Pacific Time Zone, Pacific Standard Time on Wednesday, April 18, 1906, the coast of Northern California was struck by a major earthquake with an estimated Moment magnitude scale, moment magnitude of 7.9 and a maximum Mercalli inte ...
.
Education and influences

Ruef was born Abraham Rueff of parents from a
French
French may refer to:
* Something of, from, or related to France
** French language, which originated in France
** French people, a nation and ethnic group
** French cuisine, cooking traditions and practices
Arts and media
* The French (band), ...
–
Jewish
Jews (, , ), or the Jewish people, are an ethnoreligious group and nation, originating from the Israelites of History of ancient Israel and Judah, ancient Israel and Judah. They also traditionally adhere to Judaism. Jewish ethnicity, rel ...
background. He was a bright student and, when barely fourteen, began studying at the
University of California, Berkeley
The University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley, Berkeley, Cal, or California), is a Public university, public Land-grant university, land-grant research university in Berkeley, California, United States. Founded in 1868 and named after t ...
, majoring in classical studies. While attending the university, he developed an interest in fighting the rampant corruption that was endemic to local and national politics at the time. With some fellow students, he formed the "Municipal Reform League". He corresponded with like-minded individuals across the nation, including
Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt Jr. (October 27, 1858 – January 6, 1919), also known as Teddy or T.R., was the 26th president of the United States, serving from 1901 to 1909. Roosevelt previously was involved in New York (state), New York politics, incl ...
. At 18, Ruef graduated with the highest honors, then proceeded to enroll at the
Hastings College of Law
The University of California College of the Law, San Francisco (abbreviated as UC Law SF or UC Law) is a public law school in San Francisco, California, United States. It was known as the University of California, Hastings College of the Law (a ...
in San Francisco. He graduated from Hastings less than three years later and was accepted to the
California State Bar
The State Bar of California is an administrative division of the Supreme Court of California which licenses attorneys and regulates the practice of law in California. It is responsible for managing the admission of lawyers to the practice of law ...
when he was 21, the minimum age of admittance.
California was a center of corruption at the time, influenced by the
Southern Pacific Railroad
The Southern Pacific (or Espee from the railroad initials) was an American Railroad classes#Class I, Class I Rail transport, railroad network that existed from 1865 to 1996 and operated largely in the Western United States. The system was oper ...
, which controlled both political parties in the state. They and other well-funded interest groups and individuals used their economic power and influence to form trusts and monopolies that guaranteed them power. Many of these wealthy and powerful people lived in San Francisco and, when necessary, could reinforce their hold on power through corrupt politicians and city bosses.
[
]
Political role
Although Ruef was for a long time a Republican, he wanted more power and in 1901 was the driving force behind the foundation of the new Union Labor Party
The Union Labor Party or United Labor Party (ULP) was a labor party created in 1884 by labor activists in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It was moderately successful, and key organizers within the party helped create the People's Party, into which the ULP ...
.[ Using his position there, he maneuvered himself into a position of power.
]
Chooses San Francisco mayor
Ruef selected the relative unknown president of the Musicians Union, Eugene Schmitz
Eugene Edward Schmitz (August 22, 1864 – November 20, 1928), often referenced as "Handsome Gene" Schmitz, was an American musician, musical director, and politician. He served as the 26th mayor of San Francisco from 1902 to 1907, in office dur ...
, a violinist and amateur composer, to run for mayor on the Union Labor Party ticket. Ruef hoped that Schmitz might be both electable and conducive to influence that might lead the way to the governorship later on.[ Behind the scenes, Ruef wrote Schmitz' speeches, planned his public appearances, and effectively ran his campaign. Schmitz became "Ruef's puppet" and was elected mayor on November 5, 1901, and was reelected in ]1903
Events January
* January 1 – Edward VII is proclaimed Emperor of India.
* January 10 – The Aceh Sultanate was fully annexed by the Dutch forces, deposing the last sultan, marking the end of the Aceh War that have lasted for al ...
and 1905
As the second year of the massive Russo-Japanese War begins, more than 100,000 die in the largest world battles of that era, and the war chaos leads to the 1905 Russian Revolution against Nicholas II of Russia (Shostakovich's 11th Symphony i ...
, each time by solid majorities.
Controls city politics
The 1905 election was the first time voting machines were used, which permitted the voter to cast the entire Union Labor ticket. Ruef's political machine gradually gained control of the Chief of Police, the Board of Supervisors, and several judges. But shortly after the 1905 election, his choice for District Attorney, William L. Langton, began enforcing vice laws, largely ignored until then. Ever since the gold rush of 1849
The California gold rush (1848–1855) began on January 24, 1848, when gold was found by James W. Marshall at Sutter's Mill in Coloma, California. The news of gold brought approximately 300,000 people to California from the rest of the Uni ...
, San Francisco had a reputation as an open town, and the Barbary Coast's notorious dance halls, brothels, and barely concealed gambling dens attracted money and people.[
Reformers gained considerable sympathy and support from the general population, who were growing tired of illicit and immoral activity. Radical puritans like ]Anthony Comstock
Anthony Comstock (; March7, 1844 – September21, 1915) was an American anti-vice activist, United States Postal Inspector, and secretary of the New York Society for the Suppression of Vice (NYSSV), who was dedicated to upholding Christian mo ...
and prohibition
Prohibition is the act or practice of forbidding something by law; more particularly the term refers to the banning of the manufacture, storage (whether in barrels or in bottles), transportation, sale, possession, and consumption of alcoholic b ...
ists were also slowly gaining influence.[ There came to be a division between people who supported reform in practice and a clique which campaigned with Ruef in the name of Reform.
As political reformers, among whom Ruef had once belonged, had gradually become more powerful over the previous decade, Langton threw the power of his office behind attacks on the brothels and gambling halls supported by the "Reformers". The '']San Francisco Evening Bulletin
The ''San Francisco Evening Bulletin'' was a newspaper in San Francisco, founded as the ''Daily Evening Bulletin'' in 1855 by James King of William. King used the newspaper to crusade against political corruption, and built it into having the hig ...
'' edited by Fremont Older
Fremont Older (August 30, 1856 – March 3, 1935) was a newspaperman and editor in San Francisco, California for nearly 50 years and an important activist in the progressive social and political life of the era and area. He is best known for ...
backed Langton's actions, and the publisher persuaded millionaire Rudolph Spreckels
Rudolph Spreckels (January 1, 1872 – October 4, 1958) was an American businessman and social reformer. He was the youngest son of German-American industrialist and California and Hawaii "Sugar King" Claus Spreckels.
Rise in business
Rudolph ...
to fund a Federal investigation into corruption at City Hall.
Earthquake and aftermath
The widespread devastation that followed the 1906 San Francisco earthquake
At 05:12 AM Pacific Time Zone, Pacific Standard Time on Wednesday, April 18, 1906, the coast of Northern California was struck by a major earthquake with an estimated Moment magnitude scale, moment magnitude of 7.9 and a maximum Mercalli inte ...
briefly slowed the investigation. Ruef himself lost "nearly $750,000 (about $ today) of his real estate holdings". Mayor Schmitz formed the extra-legal Committee of Fifty to expedite repairs, and Ruef was not invited, but he showed up anyway at Franklin Hall where the committee met.
On May 22, 1906, the day after an overhead trolley ordinance was passed by city supervisors, the United Railroads President Patrick Calhoun
Patrick Calhoun (March 21, 1856 – June 16, 1943) was the grandson of John C. Calhoun and Floride Calhoun, and the great-grandson of his namesake Patrick Calhoun. He is best known as a railroad baron of the late 19th century, and as the found ...
wired $200,000 to Calhoun's credit at the United States Mint
The United States Mint is a bureau of the United States Department of the Treasury, Department of the Treasury responsible for producing coinage for the United States to conduct its trade and commerce, as well as controlling the movement of bull ...
in San Francisco. Two days later, Tirey L. Ford
Tirey Lafayette Ford (December 29, 1857 – June 26, 1928) was an American lawyer and Republican Party (United States), Republican politician who served as a California State Senator and the 18th Attorney-General of California. He acted as Genera ...
representing Patrick Calhoun and United Railroads brought to the mint a written order from Calhoun to pay Ford $50,000 of the $200,000. On July 31, 1906, Ford withdrew another $50,000, and the remainder of $100,000 on August 23. He passed the money on to Ruef who used this money to pay Supervisor James L. Gallagher in two installments, one of $45,000 in late July and another of $40,000 in late August. He also paid Mayor Schmitz a total of $50,000.
Since "there wasn't a desk in the hall for Ruef, he accepted an offer to share a corner of the Mayor's desk."[ A contemporary editorial in the '']Los Angeles Herald
The ''Los Angeles Herald'' or the ''Evening Herald'' was a newspaper published in Los Angeles in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Founded in 1873 by Charles A. Storke, the newspaper was acquired by William Randolph Hearst in 1931. It ...
'' called him "the real menace to the successful rehabilitation of San Francisco" for his leadership of the committee. He became chairman of the Subcommittee on Relocating the Chinese and told the other members that "the Chinese must not be allowed to return to the desirable area that Chinatown
Chinatown ( zh, t=唐人街) is the catch-all name for an ethnic enclave of Chinese people located outside Greater China, most often in an urban setting. Areas known as "Chinatown" exist throughout the world, including Europe, Asia, Africa, O ...
occupied."[ The subcommittee debated the question without arriving at a consensus as to where to relocate them. Meanwhile, the Chinese residents returned to Chinatown.
]
Indictment and conviction
In October 1906, Ruef ordered that District Attorney William Langdon
William Henry Langdon (September 25, 1873 – August 10, 1939) was an American banker, lawyer and politician who served as Associate Justice of the California Supreme Court from 1927 to 1939. He previously served as District Attorney of San Fra ...
be suspended, had himself named in Langdon's place, and as his first order, dismissed Langdon's deputy, Francis J. Heney
Francis Joseph Heney (March 17, 1859 – October 31, 1937) was an American lawyer, judge, and politician. Heney is known for prosecuting high city officials in the San Francisco graft trials in 1906 to 1908. Heney served as Arizona Attorney Gene ...
.
On December 6, 1906, Ruef and Schmitz were arraigned in court. "As the indictments were read out by the clerk, Ruef made clear his disdain for the proceedings by standing with his back to the judge." At the time of his trial, Ruef occupied offices in The Columbus Tower, in North Beach.[ In February 1907, Ruef pleaded not guilty. On March 18, 1907, all of the supervisors confessed before a grand jury to "receiving money from Ruef in connection with the Home Telephone, overhead trolley, prize fight monopoly, and gas rates deals."][ In exchange, "they were promised complete immunity and would not be forced to resign their offices. The grand jury then returned 65 indictments against Ruef for ]bribery
Bribery is the corrupt solicitation, payment, or Offer and acceptance, acceptance of a private favor (a bribe) in exchange for official action. The purpose of a bribe is to influence the actions of the recipient, a person in charge of an official ...
of the supervisors."[
After the supervisors' admissions, Ruef reached an agreement with the prosecution that he'd confess and receive immunity from most of the charges. On May 15, 1907, Ruef pleaded guilty and the next day testified before a grand jury, incriminating Schmitz. This led to Schmitz' conviction and removal from the mayor's office on June 13, 1907. Ruef's trial ended on December 10, 1908, with a verdict of guilty and the maximum sentence for bribery: 14 years in ]San Quentin
San Quentin Rehabilitation Center (SQ), formerly known as San Quentin State Prison, is a California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation state prison for men, located north of San Francisco in the unincorporated place of San Quentin in ...
. He spent a year at the county jail awaiting his appeal. In December 1909, he was released on bond of $600,000.[
]
Release from prison
In November 1910, Ruef's conviction and sentence were upheld. On March 1, 1911, he entered San Quentin Penitentiary. But the businessmen and other politicians who benefited from the graft and corruption escaped punishment. Ruef was the only one jailed. Newspaper editor Older, formerly Ruef's most virulent opponent, became convinced that antisemitism
Antisemitism or Jew-hatred is hostility to, prejudice towards, or discrimination against Jews. A person who harbours it is called an antisemite. Whether antisemitism is considered a form of racism depends on the school of thought. Antisemi ...
may have played a role in who was punished and who was not. Older corresponded with Ruef in prison and began to campaign through his newspaper for Ruef's release. Older felt that more of the people who took part in the corruption ought to be brought to justice. He paid Ruef over the next year to write a serialized account of his political career in the ''San Francisco Evening Bulletin
The ''San Francisco Evening Bulletin'' was a newspaper in San Francisco, founded as the ''Daily Evening Bulletin'' in 1855 by James King of William. King used the newspaper to crusade against political corruption, and built it into having the hig ...
'', revealing the vast corruption underpinning the city.[
In 1912, Ruef was called as a witness at the new trial of ex-Mayor Schmitz, but Ruef refused to testify. Later in 1912, Ruef wrote his memoirs, which were published in the ''San Francisco Evening Bulletin'' in almost daily installments over several months, finishing at the point where the ]graft
Graft or grafting may refer to:
*Graft (politics), a form of political corruption
*Graft, Netherlands, a village in the municipality of Graft-De Rijp
Science and technology
*Graft (surgery), a surgical procedure
*Grafting, the joining of plant ti ...
investigation began. On August 23, 1915, having served just over four and a half of his fourteen-year sentence, Ruef was released. He was not allowed to resume his legal practice. He had been worth over a million dollars before he went to prison but died bankrupt.[ he died in 1936
]
References
Bibliography
* Thomas Lately. ''Debonair Scoundrel: The Flamboyant Story of Abe Ruef and San Francisco's Infamous Era of Graft'' (NY, 1962)
* Walton Bean. ''Boss Ruef's San Francisco: The Story of the Union Labor Party, Big Business, and the Graft Prosecution'' (Univ. of California Press, 1968)
* James P. Walsh. "Abe Ruef Was No Boss: Machine Politics, Reform, and San Francisco" (California Historical Quarterly, Spring 1972)
External links
SF Public Library—Historical Photographs
Short biography
Photographs Related to the San Francisco Graft Trial, 1907–1908
The Bancroft Library
The Bancroft Library is the primary special-collections library of the University of California, Berkeley. It was acquired from its founder, Hubert Howe Bancroft, in 1905, with the proviso that it retain the name Bancroft Library in perpetuity. ...
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ruef, Abe
1864 births
1936 deaths
1906 San Francisco earthquake
American political bosses
American politicians convicted of bribery
American people of French-Jewish descent
American prisoners and detainees
History of San Francisco
Jewish American people in California politics
Lawyers from San Francisco
University of California, Berkeley alumni
University of California College of the Law, San Francisco alumni
California Republicans
Politicians from San Francisco
California politicians convicted of crimes
Prisoners and detainees of California