The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1878-05-02
THE OHIO MINE INsPECrORsHIP.
SPEECH OF MR.. sHERRICK.

We clip the following extract from the report of
the speech Of Hon. Johnson sherrlck, of Ohio, up.
on the question of the appointment Of successor
to Andrew Roy, from the National Labor Tribune
Mr.. PRESIDENT II desire to explain my vote
and give brief reason why shall vote against
this confirmation: 1t is well known by every one
with whom l am acquainted that am Demo.
crat, and always have been. have q great inter
est In the Democratic party and for Its success.
will continue to work In the future as have In
the past and II differ from my brethren upon
this occasion, 1t will be because seek to carry
out the will Of those who have sent me here to
represent them. l represent q constituency a
large number Of whom earn their living by work
ing deep down in the bowels OF the earth, where
the air is impure, where 1t is dark and gloomy,
and where the sun never shines. These poor men
have unanimously petitioned me to use my infu-
ence In behalf Of retaining the gentleman who
now occupies the position Of mine inspector He
has been their friend he has compelled the ope-
rators to furnish them Gods pure air he has seen
that the law has been properly enforced he has
filled that Office we'll. He was appointed by
Democratic Governor, and the law which created
the Office was enacted by a Democratic Legsla-
buAOs huu tlO hOuOE W D6 u ulemUeT OF L1at
General Assembly, and to be on the committee
that projected the mining law. spent days in
support Of that bill, and have not yet forgotten
how the wealthy operators from all parts of this
State appeared before that committee and with
the most able counsel which their extensive
means could procure, sought 10 defeat the meas
ure, because in placing their mines in safe con-
ditlon for the workmen and giving,their men pure
air as the bill required an expense was incurred.
The ODnratOrq ODnOgn6 tho ms xuh
miners by the thousands asked for snch relief
The Legislature passed the bill. II became law,
and practical and qualified miner was appoint
ed TO carry out its provisions in accordance with
the contemplation of the act Thatlaw is a credit
to the Sixty first General Assembly. It was en-.
acted In the interest Of the miners and not The
operators and II this Legislature consents to the
appointment Of man who Is not a practical
miner, who is not with them and one of them
and whose sympathies are more likely to be with
aud In the interest of mine ewners than with those
In whose benefit the law was made, then the very
object Of that law is defeated
Mr, Carson Mr.. President will the Senator
from Stark permit me to ask him question?
Mr. Sherrick-0f course
Mr. Carson-I desire to ask the Senator II In his
Judgment there is no other man in the State but
Mr.. Roy who is qualified to fill the position, and
what would we do II Mr.. Roy was TO die2
Mr.. Sherrick-The Senator from Preble repre-
sents district in which there Is not single mlne
and cannot necessarily feel the same interest In
this matter that some other Senators do. do not
say there tB no other man competent to fill the
place, but do most elphGticdly sag, there is no
operator competent to fill the place as per the re-
qutrements Of that law am satisfied the new
aPpointee is not practical miner and l am not
satisfied that he is not an operator am told he
is connected largely with that Interest. This may
not be true-l hope 1t is not true-if this man Is to
be confirmed.
Mr., CarSOn-Mr. President, If the Senator from
Stark only rose to explain his vote, why is he try
tnflnnnnn no NOT nf han hyvo
somewhat lengthy speech2
Mr., Sherrick- Mr.. President, when rose In my
seat, stated that wished to give brief reason
why should vote against this confirmation. 1t
Is not my intention to influence the vote of any
Senator Is the Senator's side Of this question so
frail that little brief statement on my part places
the nomination in jeopardy? If 80, l pity the
weakness OF his cause. / seek not 10 change the
OOte as you please l concede to you that right
and of you ask the same privilege. Yes, slrs l
propose 10 vote as please l occupy this seat by
the grace and authority of my own constituents,
and will he responsible to them for all my votes
ana actions upon the door OF this Senate, and to
them alone will l be accountable. II has been my
province to represent the greater part of my con.
stttuency in this General Assembly on previous
occasions, and 1t has always been my pleasure, as
well aB my duty, 10 interCede in behalf Of that
class Of my fellow citizens known as miners, and
while should like TO accommodate Senators on
this floor who are my personal friends, cannot
WaVer from that line Of duty which owe TO my
constituents. was at home no later than " sic
day. was with the miners and among them,
and know full well how they feel. They nave
written me; they have petitlOneu tue ", rIur
they have demonstrated agaihB tie renewal Ut
Mr.. Roy. They are so unanimous III iAvuT Ui their
friend who has been tried and a. found waullug
who has filled that position with credit AID hon
or that am constrained to cast my vote Hgslu,L
the confirmation Of any other man ut this IT, 4.
Against the character and reputation of the geh
tlnnnon VU NUn d IN HFi,t I
have not a word to say. vote against hin he
cause conscentously believe 1t is my duty lU dn
so. think 1t unwise to make change In inst
office at this time. Ny people are unanimous y
opposed to a change, and /, exercising my PRIV
lege as an independent Senator on this AOOr shall
vote NO.