Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-10-28
Higgins an Issue in Maryland Poll
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Baltimore's municipal election occurs
to-day, and, remarkable as it may seem,
leading issue is Mr.. Eugene Higgins,
the Appointment Clerk Of the Treasury
Department. Until senator German Of
| Maryland began his CANVASS for re-
election to the Senate it was thought, and
hoped, that Mr.. Higgins had dropped
back into the obscurity from which the
! civil service reformers insisted on drag
/ ging him. Higgins, however, continues
| to make his appearance IN newspapers,
and while he himself has nothing TO say
the newspapers have great deal TO say
about him. In Maryland Higgins name
is mentioned about as often as Senator
Germans, but 1t is not always mentioned
in a way that is calculated to give Hig-
gins pleasure if be is man who is de-
sirous OF appearing to advantage in the
estimation OF his fellow citizens.
The contest to-day in Baltimore will be
between the reformers, composed of
Democrats and Republicans, and the
regular Democracy, and it is thought the
result will indicate pretty clearly whether
the State election next week will be
favorable TO Senator Germans reelection,
because about the same parties will OPP
pose each other in the State election as
are arrayed against each other in the
city.
The reform element in the Democratic
party in Maryland Is composed largely Of
those who are opposed to Senator
German and his political methods.
The reformers insist that his in
fuence secures the appointment Of
men who are wholly unfit to be trusted in
places Of responsibility. In support of
this assertion they point to Higgins, and
that is how Higgins comes TO be thrust to
the front again.
Against Higgins it Is alleged that i'm
mediately after the municipal election in
Baltimore 10 1876 he and two others gained
access to the ballot-boXes In the clerks
Office, and placed a large number OF
ring tickets in them, thus defeating the
reform" ticket Of that year. The foun-
dstion Of this charge is alleged to be the
confession Of Higgins. Whether the
charge is true or not, a great many Mary
land voters believe that il is because it
has not been denied by those who are in
position to make denial II 81 Is not true.
The appointment Of Higgins 70 an i'm
portant Office in the service Of the govern
ment and the appointment Of two other
friends and political workers Of Senator
German TO responsible and lucrative gov
eminent places have caused some Of the
ablest OF the Democratic stump speakers
Of the State to temporarily abandon the
Democratic party and to lend a helping
hand to the reformers.
Senator German is making a gallant
fight. Being deserted by many of those
upon whom the regular Democratic Or
ganization has been accustomed to rely
for help in conducting its campaigns, he
has invited some of his brother United
states Senators TO come to Maryland and
say word in his behalf. They have re-
sponded, and the State canvass, by both
parties, is being conducted with vigor
and enthusiasm.
There is no doubt that Senator German
is finding Higgins pretty heavy load to
carry. BY refusing to abandon him, how
ever, he shows that he is the sort OF
man who stands by his friends when they
need a friend.