The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1908-11-24
A Vote for FRANCIS
is II vote for Catholicism.
DO Hou wasn't TO Pat Se,OOO,G 600 of
Harrison CoUnty's Money in the
HANDS OF THE POPE?

This poster appeared in various
parts of the county and especially at
precincts where there was a good
sized Catholic vote Furthermore, Il
appeared in the hands of Democratic
politicians and ward heelers who
used it largely in a secret manner to
influence voters. both Catholic and
Protestant. So far as known, such
haadbiIl was not exhibited by Repub-I
licans.
The frs; public mention of this
hand-hiH. so far as the newspapers
of the city are concerned, appeared
in a modest manner in the ClarEs-
burg Daily News, the Democratic
paper, the morning after the election.
under the headline "A DIRTY
TRICK" and the brief article in
question undertook to imputa the re-
sDouslbilf:y for this hiSfl-handed at
tack and aspersion upon the Catholic
religion and integrity to the Repub-
Ifcan party, and through other ave
lnues the Telegram was charged with
the publication and circulation of
the said hand-Dill.
False Charge Made.
Some time later, one of these same
libelous illusions TO the Catholic
religion fell into the hands OF the
editors of this newspaper and 1t
came to their ears that they were
charged with it's publication and cir
cuIation, although the fact of its cX-
istcnce was unknown to them They
were amazed that they should be
confronted with SUCH a charge and
startled th;.s any one should so dis
regard the well accepted American
rprincipIe that church and state
should be separate and apart as to
promulgate such a mean, contempt.
able un-Nmerican idea as stated on
ne hand-bin referred to.
The question as to where this
ldCsDicab!e insinuatiUu and libel
against the Catholic church of this
city came from and who was It's
author arose not only in the minds
of the editors of the Telegram, but
also in the minds of all fa!r-mind6d
men, politicians and others who make
no distinctions OF religion when 1t
comes 10 the public service. This
question not only in Justice to them
selves but also for srnth ana right,
the editors of this paper set out to
answer by placing ths blame where
they believe it properly belongs and
to clear the Republican party of
Harrison county OF the CdlulhuS III
tended to be heaped upon 1t by the
circulation OF the Infamous hand-bili
herein mentioned.
Exposure Is Made.
This paper firmly believes that II
has accomplished this task and takes
), pride in presenting that achievement
to the public in the present Issue,
thus dispellinG the cloud of stigma
that enemies of both the Republican
party and religion would have hang
about them.
Investigation, carefully made, has
brought to light that thase hand
bills. which sought to inflame those
of Catholic faith, were printed with
: lthe self-same type used by the
C!arksburG BaiIy News in printing
its own headlines There can bc
no question as to the identity of the
type used, and there is prima fac!t
case in this particular against the
! ClarksburG Daily News, as will b'
/. observed from the reproduction.
c presented on this page or the Tole
/ gram. Only a casual study of the
;, same is necessary to convince ever
e the ordinary reader, and all familiar
with local newspapers and the typt
used readily see that the type useC
in the hand-bill Is of the same Mns
and character that has been used b.
!, the Clarksburg Daily News in 1t
Continued on page Sd