Evening journal., 1902-07-12
Mr.. nGGINs, PosIrIoN


In an interview printed in another
column. Ex-senator Anthony Higgins
gives emphatic denial to the stories Of
certain writer's who have been dis
cussipg his attitude recently. Nothing
could be more absolute than his as
sertion that politically he has no con-
ncction with Addicks. The denial
should not have been necessary, and
doubtless would not have been made,
had not these stories been repeated so
insistently. His whole political career,
covering many years OF strenuous party
work. should have been sufficient.
And besides this he has had an especial
reason for antagonizing the schemes
of the great conspirator Whatever
our political associations may have
been. or may be, all must admit that
Anthony Higgins in his six years in
the Senate conferred honor on the
State, early taking rank among the
leaders OF the Senate. When his term
expired his friends naturally supported
him for recollection. and he had more
members OF the Legislature backing
him than any other man. Then came
an adventurer. who was able to COM
mand small following. by means well
understood by all. and approved by no
honest man. and insisted on all candi-
dates stepping aside and yielding to
his servile minority. There were other
incidents not calculated to win the
friendship of Mr. Higgins.
In the years that have followed the
opponents of Addicks have not always
been harmonious as to their course Of
action. There have been straight-out
Regular Republicans. and those who
have borne the appellation OF want-to
win Mr.. Higgins has been classed
with the latter; but perhaps because Of
his intense loyalty to all that is Re
publican. and his unwavering hostility
to all that bears the name OF Democ-
racy. he has yielded too much-possibly
others have yielded too little-it mat
ters not. since it remains that all are
united in the purpose Of never yielding
to the disgraceful demand that we send
Addicks TO the Senate.
Mr.. Higgins says that he is a Regular
Republican. that after all, tells the
whole story. The minor details are
swallowed up in the essential fact For
after all. we are all want-to-winners
To be a Regular Republican. if it means
anything. means unwavering opposi-
tlon to Addicksism. and with this de-
termination a desire to win is not in
compatible. 1t does not mean a per
sonal fight against any sort Of a Re
publican, but only against him wher
he is seeking TO exalt ideas obnoxious
in the sight Of the Republican party
and repugnant TO good government
There is a paragraph in the interview
which should be read carefully, botl
for what it says directly, and infer
entia,ly. 10 says: in this state o
things I have felt that all ambition
should be put in the background. an,
that for any Republican to be a candi
date for the United States Senate a
this time is simply unpatriotic, and
now merely repeat what l have reiter
ated for the last six years. that no on
has heard me say that would acoeI
an election to the United States Ser
ate"
We shall not attempt a full interprt
tation Of his remark. but it means tbs
no man should press his candidacy {
the expense Of party success. It
rather a time for sacrifice than fC
etubbornness- He states it strongl
and. we must believe, with absolu'
sincerity. when he declares that
would be unpatriotic for any man I
the present time to press his candidas
for the Senate.
There are numerous other points