"GRAFT" IN SAN FRANCISCO.

Evening Star, Issue 13145, 29 December 1908, Page 4

"GRAFT" IN SAN FRANCISCO.

Another disgiuc-'fui chapter has been added lo the liistory of the attempt lu rid San Francisco of "graft." Edward Blake, a contiuctor, the man who was convicted of attempting to bribe one of the jurors engaged in the trial of the ex-boss Abe Kuef, has confessed his crime in open court.. He testified that two lawyers representing TUief employed him to commit the crime. He stated that he hud received no 1 promise or hint of immunity or leniency as a reward for his confession, and Judge Duimo in open court warned bim tbnt nothing he might Bay would enable him to escape a substantial term in the penitentiary. Blake suid that at the lawyers' request he offered <Kel!y (the juror) 500dol, to bo pnid if he got on the jury and voted for tho acquittal of Ruef. Kelly said he wanted LOOOdol. Kelly then went and told the City District Attorney, and Blake was entrapped, arrested, and convicted. After his conviction Blake was told that he would get 10,000dol for saying nothing about bribing Kelly. His wife was to get lOOdol a month (£5 a week) while he was incarcerated. Ho was shown 7,500d01. He was asked: "In what form was that 7,500d0l ?" "It was in notes, signed by Abe Ruef," replied Blake, amidst the greatest sensation in court. Ruef and his millionaire associates were dumbfounded by the uncovering of the worst plot in tho notorious " graft" scandals. Blake is being closely guarded by the sheriffs men, who hourly fear some of Roicf's confederates will murder him.—' Evening Standard's' correspondent.