highbinder

noun

1. (US, obsolete)A ruffian, especially one of a gang.
2. (US, obsolete)A member of one of several Chinese criminal gangs associated with illegal immigration and prostitution.
3. (US, dated)A swindler, especially a corrupt politician.

   “Well, I sent for him not an hour ago; he's goin' to take copies of th' accounts that show what th' Chief an' them other highbinders at the top o' Tammany have been doin'.”

   “Is it strange that every trust magnate, every corporation highbinder, every great Wall-street gambler and upholder of predatory and privileged wealth, and all their journals, are mutual in their praise of this Handy Andy of Mr. Ryan and his like among the Wall-street exploiters of the people?”

   “"Find out what these highbinders from Albany are up to," city editors up and down the Row were presently instructing reporters.”

   “the most elaborate conspiracy since the Derby scandal of 1844 when a group of 19th century highbinders arranged for the substitution of speedy Maccabeus for a slower 3-year- old named Running Rein.”

   “I had become one of the people I envied, and I now envied a higher level of sharpers and highbinders.”