Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1898-11-18
PASSING or MIR. BACH.

Hon. Anthony Higgins in 1895. Since
then his downward course has been
steady and sure, and to-day he is prac-
tieally unknown in the inner councils
OF his own party. To no man in, the
state has the course OF Republican
transition been more fatal in its eff
fects. 1t has aiienated him from his
Old party friends, and failed TO place
him on a better footing with his old
time enemies. He stands between the
two, friendless and alone, enjoying
neither the respect nor confidence OF
either. To man whose word was
once law with the Republican party
and who had come to that state which
led him to imagine that he was indis-
pensab,e to the party, the altered con-
ditiOn OF things must be humlliating
and mortifylng.
Mr.. Bach committed the fatal mis-
take OF believing that he was bigger
than his party and that campaigns
could not be planned and victories won
unless under his direct auspices and
guidance. with all Of his knowledge
OF the power OF political machinery,
gained by years Of schooling in run
ming the strongest Republican machine
that ever existed In New Castle county,
he forgot the lessons which 5e so Of
ten taught others, that the individual
who attempts to stand against the ma
chinery OF his party is liable to suffer
great INJURY.
Mr. Bach came to Delaware as
school teacher. After serving in that
capacity I'M a country district near Del
aware City he drffted into newspaper
work, obtaining a position on the
Morning News. When the Evening
Journal was founded ne became ite
editor. The election Of Mr.. Higgins TO
the United States Senate brought him
prominently before the public, for Mr.
Higgins made him his private secretary
and political manager. He immediate
ly became a power in the land. Being
a shrewd and capable political organ
izer he Immediately began the work Of
strengthening the position of his en-
ployer in the state. His work was eff
fectiye for the time being, but not last
ing. His policy was one of dictatorial
bossism. No effort was made to con-
cildate those who radically differed
from him on questions of party poll
Icy. II was his idea to rid Mr. Higgins
and himself of all opposition by the
crushing-out process. Many men VIVA
were among the most active and ener-
gstic friends and supporters Of Mr.
Higgins became tired of this one man
domination and protested TO the sen.
ator. Believing in Mr.. Bach's capa-
city and relying on his own strength
and popularity, Mr.. Higgins let th'
representations of these protestants g,
UNDECIDED and unsatisfied. Finally
Henry c. McLear, now mayor OF Viii
mington, and ex-Postmaster Daniel f
Stewart, waited on Mr.. Higgins an.
demanded the removal OF Mr. Bacl
from the position Of vice-regent OF tn
Republican party. Their action wa
treated as piece of unwarranted i'm
pertinence, and Mr.. Bach remained Il
control. Mr.. Stewart and his friend
then broke loose from Mr.. Higgini
They established headquarters OF the.
own, and attempted to defeat Mr. BAG
for election to the position Of chaii
man Of the Republican First Distri,
Committee, the organization which We
at that time supreme in this city. The
met with ignonimous defeat, and BAG
was reelected. Thsn Addiclos al
peared in material form and the en-
mics OF Alr. Higgins and MIR. BaS
fiocked to his standard, and the resu
was the defeat OF the former for r
election, Addicks deadlocking the &c
era. Assembly and creating a vacanc
MIR. Bach continued to stand as vic
regent, hut the retirement OF Mr.. III
girs had shorn him Of his power
the hari-kari campaign of two yea
ago Mr.. Bach stood at the head OF 4
opponents of Addicls and received
a reward for his fealty the position
superintendent ofthe rural free deli
cry of the mails, with am annual s.
AIRY Of about $4,000. When the wal
town and gct-together movement
gan Mr.. Bach stood in opposition
amy compromises with lAddicks or
dicksism, but the forces array
against him consisted largely Of
old following, and he, failing to
into line, lost his hold on the party
Since then several things have
CURED which lead us TO believe that
IS not his old self. In the matter
the Wilmington postmastership
went to great lengths to secure
place for wtnfe,d S. Quigley. Sc
say that he had even pledged him
TO deliver the office to Mr.. Quig
When it became apparent to every
that, by reason of the deadlock
tween Colonel Henry. A. DUPONT