The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1885-03-21
HIGGINS DENOUNCED.
The Civil Service Reform Association Re-
quests His Removal.


Gene IIiggins's appointment was the
occasion of a special meeting OF the
executive committee OF the Civil Ser
vice Reform Association of Maryland
in Baltimore on Tuesday last. Among
those present were: ]. Hall Peasants,
president of the association ; Thomas
b. Mackall John J. Donaldson, OF
Howard county; DR.. {. G. Bombaugh,
William Reynolds and Lewis Hennig
hansen, OF the executive committee,
and also large number of other mem
beers OF the ASSOCIATION, among whom
were Professor X. NJ. Nenable, Chas.
7. Bonaparte, William Winchester,
Francis King Carey and William c.
Bruce. Mr.. Joseph Clendenin, assist
ant secretary, acted in the absence of
George b. Cole. Immediately after
the meeting convened discussion
about Higgins's case was inausurated.
Before it had been protracted for any
great length of tine Mr.. Charles !.
Bonaparte offered the following very
pointed resolutions, touching Mr.. Hig-
gins's appointment, which were unani,
mously adopted:
Res0ls'ed brMe E.rerHtis'e Commit
tee of the (IsH .Stys1re Reform As
sol1afiou eff .Mlr(and, That the selec-
ton of Mr.. Eugene Higgins for the
responsible position of appointment
clerk in the Treasury Department has
been painful surprise to this associa-
ton and to all friends of honest gov
eminent in the State of Maryland, and
is applicable only on the suppestion
that the Secretary of the Treasury was
ignorant of the character and antece-
dents of the person chosen that it is
the evident duty OF all good citizens to
assist the public officers by a fearless
though charitable criticism of any
errors or shortcomings in their official
action attributable to the possession Of
imperfect or misleading information ;
that in the discharge of this duty the
Civil Service Reform Association of
Maryland respectfully protest against
the continuance of the said Eugene
Higgins in his above named office, and
urgently suggests his immediate re-
moval therefrom, showing as cause for
such action that his reputation in this
community is not that ot a man of in
tegrity and honor, and that, therefore,
his continuance in the office could only
be regarded by the best friends of the
administration as irreConcilable with
the principles of civil service reform,
which it is pledged to observe, or with
that fidelity to them which it has given
no other reason for doubling.
That the president and secretary Of
the association and the chairman of the
executive committee be and they are
hereby appointed committee to pre-
pare and transmit to the Secretary of
the Treasury, together with copy of
these resolutions, a letter in behalf of
the association, setting forth fully and
specifically the reasons which render
the retention in office of Mr.. Higgins
inconsistent with the best interests of
the public service. with power to the
said committee to take any further or
other action in the name of the asso
citation which they may deem expedl
ent in the premises.
That this ASSOCIATION solicits the aid
of other kindred associations through
out the country, of the National Civil
Service Reform League and of thought
tul and patriotic citizens of all parties
in its attempt to preserve the new adj
ministration from an error which is cal
culated, unless corrected, to bring dis
credit upon 1t, and to lessen that lib
eral measure of confidence and sup
port which the people have shown
themselves ready to accord 1t, and
which, it is believed. they are more
than ever willing aud anxious to con-
tinue giving it.
ReY0Istd furthcy, That the secre
tary be and is hereby directed to trans
nit copies of these resolutions to the
secretaries of the several associations
above mentioned and of the league,
AID to have them published iii the daily
papers.
1t is understood that when the dis
cusslon of the appointment of Higgins
was begun very few OF those present
had any idea of the probable outcome,
In the midst of an informal talk as to
whether or not the subject should be
considered at all Mr. Bonaparte took
the resolutions from his pocket and
submitted them in short speech.
!-Thereupon Professor Nenables, in a
vigorous style, urged their adoption,
and the resolutions went through with
out dissenting voice.
Mr.. BhIARD'5 SUCCESSOR.