The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-03-29

law does not Interfere to stop what he cOiccives
sees him. Neither is il eo,snhs@ ~ The low and de-
based the vicious and ths ignorant arc not the only
| ones who indulge in il. No The processing Chris
tan and the respectable business MAN. the mechanic
and the laborer, /" young mon and madens, old men
| and children, ali, all are addicted to this vice,
which, like cloud OF locusts, oyersladow tho land
lnxthe policy Office, how many different characters
| may be seen. The minister Of the gospel is ac-
eosted in tones Of familiarity by tho confirmed
the shameless harlot gazes with unblushing effron-
i terry on the hitherto modest maiden, and smiles
| with fendish delight when she beholds another Of
| her sex in the downward path to ruin the beard
| less youth there meets the professed gambler and
from him learns first how to interpret his dreams,
and select the lucky numbers = he then becomes
familiar with all the jargon Of the trade he is soon
adept in gigs" saddles" &C., &c. he is mi
tiatcd in all the hesh arts of pigeoning and cheat
ing and is in fact, confirmed gambler, and final
y sinks down into the drunkard and the thief. for
such il the inevitable destiny of the policy gambler.
| How many, alas how many, now inmates Of
prison. trace their ruin to the policy Office From
their first entrance therein they date their fall thon
! their fate written their destiny was sealed.
| The most unfortunate thing which happen to
the ncophyte is to draw prize. He is led on, step
by STEP thinking there is yet fortune for him in
the wheel, not knowing his chance Of drawing
second prize is remote and of as little probability
as is for the lightning to strike twice in the same
| place.
That policy gambling leads to crime is evident
from the fact that of the arrests for petit larceny
which are made by the police Of this city, on the
persons arrested policy tickets, or slips as they
are called, are almost invariably found.
There is, it appears, such an infatnation attend
| ing it, that those engaged in the traffic will resort
10 any means to obtain money to purchase tickets
Another reason why people should desst from
buying tickets, apart from its being unlawful and
immoral is the few, very few Of persons becom
ing rich in consequence Of dealing in policies whereas
he keepers of the Offices together with the hackers
or proPrietors, who are never purchasers, always
become rich, while their dupes always poor, thus
hat ;p.f. Of ham fair hns
elton the profit is all on side. The proceeds
| the establishments in the Fifth ward are est-
mated at the enormous sum Of 81 800 per day, at
| least four ffths of which is profit.
While we dwell more particularly on the evil as
Iractised by the coored people, it is not confined
exclusively to them. Unfortunately, it prevails to
the greatest extent among the poor of every color
and nation poverty appears to be the chief canse
for engaging in this species Of gambling. The Irish,
| Dutch and colored portions Of population are
those who mostly addicted to this evil.
| New York is infested with policy offices. There
are supposed to be between five and six hundred OF
these establishments in this city. They mostly
abound where the poorer classes of people reside
wherever there are number of poor families, there
you will be sure to find the policy Offices and there
the policy dealer, like human vampire, is plying
| his ncfarous trade. They are found in abundance
| in the First Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Eighth, Ninth,
Thirteenth, Fourteenth and Seventeenth w ards In
the Fifth Ward alone there nearly fifty of these
hels sending abroad more misery, cntailing greater
evils on society, making more paupers, on whom to
expend charities, and training more criminals
for the prisons and the gallows than even the nels
Of Park row.
We might startlc you with facts of the calamities
produced on individuals and families. We might
give many instances Of the evil effects, many of
which have come under our own observation; but
il is not province to relate what is already too
well known, but to devise, if possible, some pre-
yentiye for the evil, or to suggest n remedy.
The authorities Of this city admit that they are
powerlcss to arrest policy gambling. The law,
while it forbbs the selling of lottery tickets, or in
surfing numbers, otherwise called policies, makes is
penal offence, so to do it is imperative as il does
not afford them sufficient power to stop the evil IA
| long people will pursue il. They may make
rests; but unless individuals be found who will
purchase tickets. and then prosecute the seller to the
greatest extent Of the law. they do nothing. !
well that the idea of being informer Is
rcpugnant to our feelings and il il considered dis
reputable, bbt those who are earnestly engaged in
this work, must be prepared to suffer odum to effect
q great good. Whoever l. willing to undertake this
REFORM must be persons of unblemshed character,
who will be unmovedby threats, and cannot be Sc
duccd by brides.
| Cannot such be found, Are there not persons in
| this community who will lend their influence and
devote their time and means to accomplish 80 de-
sirablc an object!
| In conclusion, we would recommend to this conven-
| tion that standing committee be formed who shall
procure legal advice the subject; if the laws are
unavailable to petition the Legislature forthwith to
enact other and more stringent laws, and to prose-
cute every one engaged IN the business, until every
j no other way. until every keeper Is an inmate Of
the penitentiary.
We would further recommend that the members
Of this convention pledge themselves to all their
eforts to induce those now engaged in policy playing
| to abstain forthwith. II. A. BELL.
New York, March ~. 1851.
At the end Of the paragraph concluding with the words
military commanders" there great laughter.
Mr.. RoB,Rr JouNsoS, who made the speech temper
said he did not want the Irish and Dutch mention
cd specially in the report lie moved that Americans
SIR WusoS suggested that Dutch and Irish and color
ed should be stricken out aud Americans substituted
for they all Americana either native adopted
Mr. Bril- said he had made considerable inquiries on
the subject and he found II TO be fact that there
fewer native Americans than foreigners In proportion TO
| the population, who dealt In lottery policies.
Mr. PowERs. true dark of Africa. without faint
q white blood in him. sadWe loading the too
much by attempting 10 reform all the worid-rish and
Dutch. and all that the Lord made (Grcat laugh
tcr Let " first reform ourselves and after that i
complshcd will want n little rest promise you. II
viii then be time enough to take hold Of the Dutch and
! Iriah.
Mr. DowSrxe the younger-who eaters for parties who
want best picked oysters and other daines-policy
| gambling Is greater evil than incompetence
for the eolored population are more addicted
| express opinion ON t-those 1 mean. who OPP
| posed the pledge in reference TO the bank There
| which Submission could be obtained by little private
knocks nj o'clock In the morning There Is no
sity for being meay -mouihcd A. people. are adj
dcted TO policy dealing, and that k the main why
/ we II would rise. must cut away
the weights that hold downand the chief Il these is
policy dealing am sorry that who have taken
active part In this convention engaged In policies
think Mr. Hamilton. Mr. Zuillc. and Nr Powers II to
i themselves 10 say something the subject
Here there cries for the question when the
lions to alter the report In reference to the Irish aud
i Dutch voted down
The question then up to the adoption Of the
| report. when
Mr. H.suirOs said As my name first on the list Of
Mr. Downing suppose must lie the first 10 respond
his cali wanted 60 know something ~ the rodas op.
rend q policy gambling aud 70 see Why IL was wrong
| don't know much about H. Prom the remarks 81 my
friend Mr. Downing people might be led 10 infer that
| was engaged In that vice
Mr. Dovsi~o-No not In 30 low q vice.
4 Mr. HsMLroN-I have heard Of class leader VIII,
iiCycd the money q certain church In policy gamb-
ling; and have him next day, 60 down TO that
church. with great big hymn book under his 10
ttaycrt sinners (oars u laughter. and grnning Il
Of ivory set In darkest cbony) said To my self