Horace F. Graham

Horace French Graham ( born February 7, 1862 in Brooklyn, New York City; † November 23, 1941 in Craftsbury, Vermont ) was an American politician and 1917-1919 Governor of the State of Vermont.

Early years and political rise

Horace Graham attended the City College of New York and then studied until 1888 at the Columbia University law. Then he moved to Craftsbury, Vermont, where he worked as a lawyer. Graham was a member of the Republican Party. Between 1892 and 1900 he was a member of the House of Representatives of Vermont, and from 1898 to 1902 he was district attorney in Orleans County. In 1900 he was one of the electors for President William McKinley. Between 1902 and 1916 he was head of the Court (State Auditor ) of Vermont. Since 1913 he was also a member of the Education Committee of his state. In 1916, Horace Graham was elected as the new governor.

Governor of Vermont

Graham began his two -year term on January 4, 1917. His reign was overshadowed by the events of World War I, which also includes Vermont had to do his part. Here, as throughout the United States, the production on the armament requirement had to be changed. Young men were mustered and delivered to the armed forces, fuels and food was rationed. In addition to these war-related events at that time a committee was set up, which examined the books of all government agencies. Taxpayer women were then given at the local level, the right to vote. In addition, the state of Vermont defended against attempts by the Federal Government to tax money that tion states the state to seize.

However, Graham then made ​​negative headlines. A commission of inquiry came to the conclusion that during his time as head of the Court of Auditors a large amount of money was gone unchecked. Graham paid back the money from his own pocket and was later sentenced by a court, but pardoned by his successor in office, Percival W. Clement. Graham insisted again and again his personal innocence in these processes, but took over as the then head of the Court of Auditors is responsible for the damage.

Further CV

After the end of his governorship on January 9, 1919, Graham initially withdrew from politics. His personal integrity was not questioned despite the scandal. Between 1923 and 1924 he was again a deputy in the House of Representatives of his State. He was even supported by the Democratic Party. In 1933 he was member of a commission to revise the State Constitution. Horace Graham died in November 1941.