New-York tribune., 1904-10-19
WHlIEWASH FOR HERRICK
HE YIELDS THE BRUSH
Denies Many Charges, EUen Those
in "I'he ALbana Argus" Case.

night at the Reform Club. where a reception
was given in his honor. undertook 70 administer
to himself coat OF whitewash
The Tribune's arraignment of Mr.. Herrick on
october :. when the plain narrative of his life
and political adventures was set forth in cold
type, after verihcation by the record has put
Mr.. Herrick on the defensive. Each succeeding
day of the campaign has pressed home with
greater force upon him and mis- friends the be-
lief that he is a beaten man. The coldness OF
his reception in Madison Square Garden on Mon
day night drove home the truth with added en-
phasis.
Apparently the pressure became intoIerable
Mr.. Herrick in q labored statement at the Re-
form Club last night set up legal practition-
ers sometimes call it. a general denial
i never countenanced or abetted an election
fraud" said the candidate
I have never" he said again. conducted
single political campaign since the one at which
was elected justice of the Supreme Court"
Mr.. HerriCk does not deny the substance OF
the affidavit OF William McAIurtrie Speer. who
swore that Judge Herrick invited him 10 his
house at night for the purpose as alleged OF
convincing Speer the publisher of The Albany
Argus" of the propriety of supporting the Her
rick faction in the Albany Mayoralty fight in the
spring of 1898
Mr.. Speer made affidavit TO the transaction.
with the conversation that took place between
him and Mr.. Herrick This affidavit, with Mr.
Herrick's card. which was written a message
inviting Speer TO call Mr.. Herrick at his
mouse, should be on file in their proper and
legal resting place in the archives OF the Su-
preme Court. in the county courthouse at AL
bany. They have been removed. No trace OF
them is Obtainable.
When 1t became known last night that MI
Herrick had set UP a general denial of the things
charged against him in the last ten years MIR.
Herricks friends were seized with CONSERVATION.
They had hoDed that he would say nothing
They realized that the scandalous squabbles in
Albany between the Hill and Herrick political
factions had left an indelibIe impression on the
minds of the voters throughout the State. and
they admitted last night that Mr.. Herrick's at
tempt TO provide a clean bill of health for the
Democratic candidate for Governor would revive
the entire history of the blackest period In AL
bany politics.
Mr. Herrick was introduced last night by John
G. Agar. president Of the Reform Club.
MIR HERRICKs DEFENCE
Mr HerTick said:
To talk tariff reform to you Is like bringing Goals
10 Newcastle. With the other issues of the
vass you are perfectly familiar. but I do desire TO
say few words 20 you personal TO myself
have been a member Of this club almost since
Its IOrfnallOn. 10 many OF the oIueF members l
am well known: TO many OF its more recent mem
bers 1 am not.
There several charges brought against me
IN this campaign. ] beiiev have answered all
Of them excepting two and they are in relation
10 my alleged participation in politics while
pying a judicial position.
Those who believe that / have been in
triguing. wire pulling. scrambling. hghting poll
tician while the bench, are fully justified in
not voting for for the high office 20 which
nave beer nominated.
What am about to say is neither apology
a defence. simply a plain statements of facts,
known 10 many OF the men present-perhaps un-
known 10 many others.
Some OF YOU who here present perhaps
responsible for my taking the part did in politics
I'm the early years Of my service upon the bench.
You will recolect that I from time to time in
consultation with you about political affairs be-
lieve you will say that there nothing unbecom-
ing in judge IN those conferences and consulta
tions.
do not believe that when a man becomes either
a clergyman judge he also becomes political
Iy emascuated man forfeits any Of his rights or
duties as American citizen.
fully agree that he should not bring MS politics
into the pulpit upon the bench; but to say that
he cannot otherwise talk politics OF advise about
public matters IS TO hold that our American poItI-
cal system IS 80 low and degraded that respectable
men cannot engage in IT, and If We have arrived at
that state it is time that we change our form OF
government
have never been delegate 10 any political con
vention since 1 elected judge have never
attended any Democratic convention since was
elected a Judge but one the national convention
a. (,bicspo in 1892 when was solicited TO attend
IN, letters and teIegrams from four Of the most
eminent Democrats of the State of New-York two
now dead Their character and standing forbid the
thought that they were asking me 10 participate III
ANYTHING unbecomng the judicial Office
Nv participation there was simply an advisory
ra T meyer entered the door Of the convention.
I have never served upon any political committee
since my nomination for the Office Of judge was
Al tnat time a member of the Democratic stars
committee Ny successor was not elected think
for two wears In the mean time my seat III that
committed was occupied by proxy. never by me-
have never conducted single political cam
na,en since the one at which was elected justice
~ the supreme Court. My pecuniary contributions
hayo been made after election. with INSTRUCTION
20 devote such contribution to the payment OF 'he
room, rent OF the Democratic committee
I have never presided at amy political meeting Or
made political speech since my selection as Judge
srhis I have done: / have advised ana consulted
with former friends their political action.
e,.,t,o.s that advice has been taken: sometimes
:, has not but never about any matter which might
become the subject cf litigation and be brought
before the court
Nth gentlemen yourselves or with men promi-
nent in the affairs of the State and nation. no
crit,cisn would have been made. but they We're
With and the advice given to- those who in
,ormer years stood by ne IN hand to hand fights:
when I was opposing both the Repubhcan party
- the State organization and the State admins
90 ton Of nv own party ! felt I owed a duty TO
tbern 20 give them such aid and assistance as
could I'm settling differences and I'm smoothing over
ouarrels between them
This has been my offence. no more. II 1t const-
tutes improper action upon nay part '"iiNo' HSiP
H. II has been done.