The Candidate, the Widow, and the Missing Money
A gubernatorial candidate faces explosive charges of embezzlement from a widow in West Virginia, sparking a heated electoral scandal.
Last Saturday, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer published serious charges against H. J. Snively, the Democratic candidate for governor, supported by affidavits. One affidavit, from Mary E. Fallon of Grafton, West Virginia, alleges that Snively, as guardian to her five orphan children, received $315 for each child in 1891 but failed to pay the money to their new guardian. She claims he fled the state in 1885 and left the sureties on his bond 'beggared.' Snively responded from Spokane, calling the charges false. He stated he invested the money in a timber business that failed due to market shifts and the rejection of a treaty with Spain. He claims he has arranged to pay the heirs as they come of age and characterizes the allegations as a 'dramatic' hit job bought by political opponents.
“If the people of Washington state knew as much about H. J. Snively as the people of Grafton do, he would not stand much chance to be elected to any office.”
This 1892 campaign scandal mirrors modern concerns about political transparency and accountability. The clash between a candidate's defense and a citizen's public grievance remains a persistent feature of Washington state elections.
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