Note 115 — Chapter VIII · Ruef Loses the District Attorney’s Office.

The passage between Heney and Ruef’s lawyers which followed Judge Seawell’s ruling is thus set forth in the San Francisco Chronicle of November 3rd:

“‘You can ask Mr. Ruef if he is guilty of any crimes or felonies,’ Ach suggested to Heney.

“‘I suppose he’ll plead guilty here?’ responded Heney skeptically.

“Samuel M. Shortridge, of Ruef’s legal staff, took this remark to heart and hotly said to Heney, ‘You’ll plead guilty before he does.’ The Judge informed Shortridge that Heney obviously spoke in jest, but Shortridge thought it a poor joke. Ruef considered Heney’s whole proceeding a joke.”