Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-09-20
CALLS HIM A GAMBLER
GOV. HANLY Is SEVERE ON Elk
AUDITOR sHERRIcK.

A dispatch from Hamilton. Ind. last night
says In an address at the reunion Of the
S0th Indiana Regiment today Governor Han
ly. the principal speaker. made public his
reasons for his action In the case Of David
E. Sherrick. whose resignation as state au-
ditor was forced by the governor. He tried
to show what became Of the states money
lost by Sherrick.
The governor charged that 10000 Of the
states money went by check into the
hands Of the gentleman who was then oper-
ating the Casino at French Lack. The
governor then enumerated a list Of what he
calls wildcat" securities. aggregating q
face value Of $4,000. into which the states
money went. Following this, he charged
that Sherricks continued absence from the
sessions Of the state board Of tax commits
sfoners was occasioned by drinking bouts
and midnight carousals around the gaming
table, from which he could not recover in
time to meet with the commission" He
charged that Sherrick at the time the Mo-
non railroad came up for assessment argued
tina. the assessment be allowed to remain at
5000. BECAUSE in that case a friend Of his.
to whom he was under great obligation per-
sorally, could get permanent employment
with the company II the assessment was
kept at $4,000. This part Of the speech
concluded
There is evidence overwhelming and con-
vincing that Mr.. Sherrick. auditor of the
state, was a common gambler. and that he
was at the time of his resignation and had
been for two years in the habit of losing
large sums of money-not his but yours
at the gaming table. Certain persons claim
that gambling and an open door to vice are
essential to the material prosperity of mu-
nicipal communities. I do not think SO.
But you are the jury; It is for you to de-
eide
Alleged Information
Before my Inauguration 1 received trust
worthy. information that he had written to
tn, management of several railway compa-
MES in December, 1904, over his own sig
nature. as auditor of the state, asking them
to send him all passes intended for mem
bers Of the general assembly, then about to
convene, stating in substance that he ex-
pected to have some legislation Of personal
interest to himself before that body and
If they would send their transportation to
him for distribution, he would see that their
interests and his were. cared for at the
same time.
For three weeks the office Of the auditor
OF the state was made a brokers' office fol-
the distribution of free passes to such mem
bers of the general assembly as would re-
ceive them.
ION the evening Of September 10 1 was
informed by one who had been aiding him.
and in whom l have confidence. that he
could not make payments on the 18th.
then sent him verbal demand for his i'm
mediate resignation. The next morning his
resignation did not come, but some of his
friends did come and informed me that the
money could be raised only upon the condf-
lions that the defalcation be kept secret,
and that he be retained in office. Upon in
quiry learned that some of the men who
were to furnish the money We're the repre-
sentatves of large railroad interests in the
state. That Mr.. Sherrck and his friends
were depending upon them and their assist
aEce depended upon his retention in office
l could make no such bargain as that.
LAS to the other statement that the pub
H. offlcers-municipal, county and state
are doing as Mr.. Sherrick did, I need only
enter a general denial 1t is not true. Some
OF them may be, but If satisfactory proof
OF that fact be established 1 pledge you,
here and now that such officers will have
successors within thirty days after the in
formation comes to me-"