The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-03-19

Manning's Appointment Clerk Not = Shin
ing Representative of Reform Principles.


ing Representative of Reform Principles.
Washington Special In Philadelphia Press.
Higgins was one of the Maryland mon who
crossed the lines in 1851 into the Southern Con-
federacy, but instead of placing himself in per-
sonal danger on the battlefield, he secured q
safe position as deputy under Winder, the pro-
vost marshal of Richmond, whose cruelty to the
Union prisoners is a matter of history. Other
confederates say that he had a substantial pay
ing interest in the gambling houses that were
inside of Democratic ring politics on lis return
to Baltimore after the war, and was elected to
the City Council and the Legislature, and became,
III 1881, clerk of the State central committee un
der Mr.. Germans patronage
When the loan OF 81 800 600 for pavementS In
Baltimore was put through the City Council,
Higgins turned up most active lobbyist in
its behalf, and his zeal was explained when it
was found that by some huggermuggery pro-
vision requiring the use of the Camp process
had been inserted in the bill, and that, because
of his usefulness in prevailing with cOuncilmen
he had been given an interest in the patent How
much this arrangement cost the tax payers of
Baltimore has never been computed, but it was
an enormously fat job for the tax-eaterS. 1t
caused grea. scandal and much contention
among the contractors, and, as an outcome OF a
quarrel between Higgins and one or them, John
Haugh, Higgins was soundly thrashed upon
Holiday street by Haugh.
The situation was made still warmer for Hig-
gins a little later on In January, 1884. William
Atkinson sued him in the Baltimore City Circuit
Court for the recovery of 500 alleged to have
been lost at faro in Higgins place on Dec IL.
1885, and $210 lost in the same way on Dec 90
having compromised them by paying the costs
and satisfying the demands OF Atkinson. Such
a settlement amounts to confession of the
charge, and this pleasing episode in the Higgins
chronicle should receive the careful consideration
of Secretary Manning
Another of the current connections of Senator
Germans protege is with disreputable concert
saloon ON Baltimore street, known as the
French Froliques." He has some sort Of
interest with its nominal proprietor, and his In
fuence in the courts and at police headquarters
is generally believed to have saved him from be-
ing raided or prosecuted. This sink hole of filth
does not permit of description and it has always
been q mystery to decent citizens why for years
it has been permitted to exist upon the principal
thoroughfare of the city, and almost within the
shadows of the city hall and the Office of the
police authorities
This mans exploits in the dark and dubious
ways of politics would make a book. He has
been leader of the city lobby at Annapolis during
the sessions of the Legislature since $780, and
his rooms have always been open and his wines
flowing for guests who could be turned to any
use.
Higgins has PLAYED conspicuous part in cor
rupting elections here and elsewhere. In 1876,
and again in $780, he had charge Of the Balti-
more repeaters and rufians who went to the
October election in Indiana registered st the
New Denison House, in Indianapolis and con-
Quoted their operations from that poiEt When
German was running for the State Senate. in
Howard county, in 1879, he took his gang there,
where they elected German by driving the me-
groes from the polls with drawn revolvers. His
trip in 1876 to Indiana had a tragic termination
for Samuel Sands Mills, one of his companions.
Mills at that time chief clerk in the Office of
the city comptroller of Baltimore. Association
with Higgins ruined him. His affairs became
involved charges of population in Office were
made against him, and he died in disgrace
story is told Of an achievement that illus
trates the character of Higgins. In 1876 he was
the Democratic judge at one of the polls in the
Ninth ward cf the city He opened the polls
and told the Republican judge to take charge,
as he was going out for couple of hours. He
went out and sent his friends with bottles Of
whisky to ask the Republican judge to take a
drink The latter drank too much and when
Higgins came back was willing, at Higgins s
suggestion, to take short nap. Then Higgins
took charge of the poll-book, and when the
the Republican judge woke up at4 o'clock, every
name on the pollbook was voted on with a big
Democratic majority. The Republican judge
did not dare say anything. and Higgins made up
the returns
There is more or less talk of presenting these
facts to Secretary Manning by the other seekers
of place from Maryland who are restive at being
put under ban because of Higgins's evil repu-
tation. The members of the Maryland Civil
service Reform Association are also discussing
the propriety of making formal representation
to President Cleveland and Secretary Manning
upon the subject