The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-11-02
SNIvELY'S DEFENSE.
He Attempts an Explanation Of
His Early 4isdeeds.
SOME LARiNc CONTRADICTIONS
Another Laborious Effort Lands Him
Deeper in the Mire-Wild Talk
About Conspiracy.

W. Va, Democratic candidate for gov
ernor. made his explanation OF the Cir
cumssances of his departure fiom that
town to his present home at North
Yakima and his defense 20 the charges
which the PosT-INTELL;GEycER has pub
iished against him to an audience of about
l50 people at Armory hall last evening.
the audience had evidently gone
TO hear him with several motives,
for, though he was frequently
applauded, it was never by more
than half those present. the other half sit
ting silent on such occasions and showing
its sympathy with John II. McGraw,
when his name was mentioned. After
making his defense, Mr.. Snively pro-
ceeded to arraign the Republican state adj
ministration for extravaganza and other
heinous offenses. hut did not explain why
he had lodged the vote on several of the
most importan. measures which came be-
fore the last legislature.
Every seat was taken long before the
meeting began. and before the star and his
satellites appeared standing room was at q
premium, many women being present.
During the period OF waiting the W. d.
Bynum Coiored Glee Club kept the audi
ence amused with harmony. A campaign
document was distributed at the doors, en-
titled solid Facts for Taxpayers" pro-
Tossing to show that state funds have been
squandered by the present administration.
At last cheers from about ten
people near the door announced
Snively's approach and struggling applause
broke out in various parts of the hall.
Mr.. Snively was accompanied by John
Collins, w. H. White. H. E. Shields.
DR.. P. B. NJ. Miller, Daniel Kelieher,
Michael Phillips, I. H. Cam. L. D. Ross,
]. ]. Burns, Mayor Ronald and a number
of other Democratic leaders.
w. HI. White took the chair and intro
duced Mr.. Snively with story of how he
first became acquainted with that worthy,
and delivered panegyric on his career in
Washington. A few enthusiasts cheered
at the mention Of the candidates home
and of his nomination and, when he closed
with the announcement that Mr.. Snively
was here to answer in detail the charges
which had been made against him, about
one-tenth of the audience cheered and
tried to make enough noise for the other
niue-tenths.
This demonstration continued as Mr..
Sniveiy arose. and he referred 10 it as q
magnificent reception. He then plunged
into reply TO the attacks on his record
| and said that he no sooner heard oft than
she came as fast as steam could bring
| him 10 Seattle" 10 defend his good name
and punish those who had tried to take it
from him. Though nothing has been
said about anything but his hon.
essy, which most people consider a
necessary qualification in the governor
of this state. he spoke of his
private life" having been assaulted. Then
he told his early history. which. though
| interesting, was not to the point. He had
failed in business, but had affidavits from
reputable citizens TO prove that the failure
was an honest one. He here made sneer-
| ing allusion to linen who made their
mark" referring TO some of those he de-
| frauded out of wages in West Virginia and
| who cannot write their names.
! Mr.. Snively proceeded to give what pur-
| ported to be an account of how the testi-
| mony against him was obtained, saying
| the man who went to West Virginia to
| get it had been acquitted of forgery only
| by a technicality. and that he tried by
| false statements to secure atfidavits. He
said John I. McGraw was not a friend of
! his, but was an honorable man and wrote
| him that man was trying to get false
was detained for ten days at
| the North Yakima pos,office, also
| one of similar import from his father,
| of whom he spoke as his poor old father"
| He did not. however, explain how, if John
| L. McGraw was already informed of the
/ fact that the charges were in course pre-
! paration. he (Snivelyl telegraphed to Nc
| Graw that he was charged with bigamy
He next read clipping from the Cincin-
| natl Enquirer telling of a conference of Re-
| publican leaders at Parkersburg w. Va.
/ at which some scheme was being concocted
| TO cast reflections on him. These thir Is
| taken together" he said, "seem 10 indi-
| cate that these charges were trumped up
| against me-"
! Then he began to read affidavits. The
| first was from ]. III. Gerkins, saying that
! ne had not signed statement purporting
| to be signed by HIM and which lie under
| stood was being circulated in Washington,
| Then he gave one from Harriet Hixen-
! haugh, saying she had given him money
/ ia invest for her and that he had repaid il
( ali 4; that the last sum OF $50 had been repaid
! by the transfer of a note to Henry Kim
| mel and that Snively was an honest man.
! This Was dated November /, and had been
/ teleGraphed here. Then came one from
! W. ;. Clark, dated at North Yakima on
| October ~. saying that the failure of
Martin 4 Snively was an ordinary BUSH
ness failure. Before reading the affidavit
! OF Hon. Il. +. Martin. ex-congressuan
from West Virginia, who, he said, was no
! relative of his. Mr.. SniyeIy made a long
! explanation OF the reason why he rro-
| tected some OF his rich creditors
! al the time OF his assignment at
| the expense of the woTkingmen and
the Fallon heirs. tie said that he
told his creditors before assigning that
| he had promised the men who went on his
| notes that they should not lose n dollar:
! that he intended they should not, and
would protect them first. To this the
! creditors agreed. so he turned his property
| over 10 Martin rs trustee. The clam OF
| jamie Snively, his daughter, was for $50
presented 10 her by friend. which he
| had invested in his wiie's name
| and the claim of his wife was
Tor money belonging 10 her before
! marriage. He told Martin lie wanted
these claims protected. but if his property
! 81 ouid not be enough to satisfy his claims
he would rather see his family suffer.
| Martins affidavit declared that the firm
gave nj ali II owned To the creditors and
that Sniveiy wrote him TO pay note in
the bsnS with money secured TO his wife.
| ard expressing anxiety TO pay John II.
! Gerkin as soon as lie could.
He went on to say that he had affidavits
showing iha, since he came to Washing
s.Nqy b.sh had TT l.