A Candidate’s Character and the 'Fallon Orphans' Scandal
Gubernatorial candidate Henry J. Snively faces accusations regarding unpaid funds meant for orphaned children, sparking a heated war of telegrams and character attacks.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
Henry J. Snively is parading through the columns of his organs a telegram from John T. McGraw of West Virginia, attempting to defend his candidacy. The charges made against Mr. Snively—which he has attempted to deflect by claiming they concern his private family life—actually relate to his honesty regarding the Fallon orphans. Almost a dozen years ago, money was paid to Mr. Snively for these orphans by the Catholic Knights of America, and it is alleged he has never distributed these funds, holding them in defiance of a court decree rendered in West Virginia six years ago.
“It will be noticed that Mr. McGraw says nothing in his telegram about the four Fallon orphans who are still without the money which was paid to Mr. Snively for them.”
Political character assassination and the weaponization of personal history were as common in 1892 as they are today. The 'Fallon orphans' controversy serves as a reminder of how quickly candidate financial dealings—or the lack thereof—can derail a statewide campaign.
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