The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1905-09-22
WHY Gov HANLY
FIRED SHERR|CK
SAYS LATTER WAS A COMMON
GAMBLER.
Absence From Duty, Governor Says,
Was caused by Drinking Bouts
and Midnight carousais.

Hamilton. Ind, Sept. 19.--In an ad-
dress at the reunion of the Thirtieth
Indiana regiment today, Gov. Hanly,
the principal speaker, made public his
reason for forcing the resignation of
David e. Sherrick, ex-auditor of the
state. Facts and figures were used to
show that state money had been lost
by Sherrick.
The governor charged that $4,000 of
the states money went by check into
the hands of the proprietor of the Ca
sino," at French Lick, and enumerated
a list of what he calls wildcat" secur-
tiles aggregating face value of $75,-
600 into which the states money went.
He also charged that Sherrick's con-
tinued absence from the sessions of the
state board Of tax commissioners was
occasioned by drinking bouts and mid
night carousals around the gaming ta-
BILE, from which he could not recover
In time to meet with the commission"
He charged that Sherrick, at the time
the Monon railroad came up for as
sessment. argued that the assessment
remain at $4,000 because, in that case,
friend of his, to whom he was under
great obligation personally. could get
permanent employment with the COM
pany.
This part of the speech concluded:
There is evidence overwhelming and
convincing that Mr.. Sherrick was q
common gambler. and that he, at the
time of his resignation, had for years
been in the habit of losing large sums
of money, not his. but yours, at the
gaming table. Certain people claim
that gambling and an open door to vice
are essential to the material prosperity
of municipal communities. don't
think so. But you are the jury. 1t is
for you to decide.
Before my inauguration received
Trustworthy information that he had
written to the management of several
railway companies in the month of De-
cember, 1904, over his own signature as
auditor of state, asking them to send
him all passes intended for members
of the general assembly, then about to
convene, stating in substance that he
expected to have some legislation of
personal interest to himself before that
body, but II they would send their
transportation to him for distribution
he would see that their interests and
his own were cared for at the same
time. For three weeks the Office of the
auditor of state was made brokers'
Office for the distribution of free passes
to such members of the general assem-
bly, as would receive them.
"On the evening of the 18th of Sep
tember was informed that he could
not make payment on the 18th. | then
sent him verbal demand for his i'm
mediate resignation. The next morning
of his friends informed me that the
money could be raised only upon the
conditions that the defalcation would
be kept secret and that he be retained
in Office.
Upon inquiry / learned that some OF
the men who were to furnish the
money were the representatives Of
ilarge railroad interests in the state.
could make no such bargain as that.
las to the statement that the public
officers, municipal, county and state ar
doing as Mr.. Sherrick did, need only
enter a general denial. Some of then
may be, but If satisfactory proof of tha
fact be established, l pledge you here
and now that such officers will have
oft II ,,,
formation comes to me-"