New-York tribune., 1885-03-19
VINO THIS HIGGINS REALLY rs.

Udshin0,on DHpdteh % The Philadelphia TT,r
Higgins was one of the Maryland men who
bat instead of placing him;er IN persona" dsnge o" ss
WinJer. the provost marshal OF Rehmond whose cruelty
S1niederatss SAY that he had a substantial paying
interest In the gambling houses that were numerous 10
ring politics on his Baltimore after the war;
and was elected the city Council and the Legislature
aud became In 1851 clerk OF the state Central Committee
under Mr.. GOrmdn'- patronage. .
When the loan OF Sl.5O0,O0o for payemsn's In
baltimore was put through the city Council, Higgins
turned up as active lobbyist IN ia BEHALF ahd MS
zeal was explained when II was found lhat Oy some
huggernugccry provision requiring the use ~ the
Camp PROCESS had been inserted ~ the bill aud that
OF his usefulness In prevailing with tonnclneh
he had given interest In the patent How much
this arrangement cost the taxpayers of Blmofe mas
been computed but 1t was an enormously iat JoD
contention among the contractors, ana an h OUTCOME
OF "A quarrel Higgins aud one OF them John
Haugh, Higgins was soundly thrashed upon Halliday ST.
The ntuaton was made still warmer for Higgins
a little atei IN January 1854. william Atkinson
sued him In the Baltimore City Court, for tue recovery
of $40 alleged 10 have been lost nt faro In lligsnss
plae ON December IL 1883, and $40 lost in the
way on December 90 The suit was entered on May
the coal, and satisfying the demands Of Atkinson Such
settlement amounts to confession OF the charge ana
this pleasing episode IN the higgins chrOhlcie snOuu
receive careful consideration Of Secretary Manning
Another OF tho current connections OF senator
Gormans procge Is witha dlsIepuaDio concert saloon
on BaltlmOre-st, known the French frOlIqucs.
lie has OF interest with itS nominal pfopIie or
and his influence In the courts ana at police heaiqna
ters generally believed 10 have saved him from being
raidtl prosecuted IHls SINK hole OF uth uUb- llot
permit Of description ana has always been mystery
to decent why FOR years II has been permitted to
the principal tbOrOn ghfao OF the city aud al
within the shadows of the city Hall ana tho once
OF the police authorities.
pOlti, would make book. lie has been leader OF the
city lobby nj Annapolis during the sessions ot Inc ess
latre since $50. and have always been open
aud his wines flowing for guests who could be turned 10
any
Higgins has played conspicuous part in corrupting
elections here and elsewhere. In 1875 aud again IN
1880, he had cnarge OF the Baltimore repeacrs ana
rufians went to the October election In Indiana,
registered at the new DennlsOn House. In indianapolis
and conducted their operations from that point. When
German was running for tine State Senate, In Howard
County. In 1870 he took his gang there, where they
elected German by driving the from the polls
with drawn vOyers. His trip In 1870 10 Indiana had
tragic termination for Samuel Sands Mills. one o ms
companions. Mills was at that time chief clerk Ia the
Office Of the City Controller Of Baltimore. Association
vth Higgins ruined him. His affairs became Involved
charges OF peculatl0n In office made against him.
and he died In disgrace.
story Is told OF achievement that illustrates the
character Of Hggins. In 1870 he the Democratic
Judge at OF the polls III the Nnth ward OF the city.
take charge, he going couple OF hours.
He out and sent his friends with bottles of whsey
To aa the Republican judge 10 take drink. The latter
drank too much, and when Higgins came back was
willing. at 1iggins's suggestion. 10 take short nap
Then Higgins took charge of the poll book and when the
Republican judge woke at o'clock, every name On
the poll book voted with big Democratic ma
orify. The Republican Judge did not dare say any thing
and Higgins made up the returns.