Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1856-03-26
an Extraordinary Case.

News received by the iust California maii, III
foru ed our readers that an excitement bud been
created in that state by the announcement that
President Pierce had appointed TO the Office 81
United States Marshal, for the Northern DISTRICT
of California, professional gambler. We have
carefully examined our California files 10 ascer-
tain the truth of this charge. and feel panied to
any ,bai il is not susceptible Of denial. The CIR
eums,anees SO far as ean gather them from
the notifications on the subjective condense brie.
ny j. Y. McDniiie Is the person alluded 10. lie
j. quite n we'll known man in California. The III
Dorado gambling saloon,in the city OF MarysvlIe'
bns for several yenrs past been of the largest,
most splenlidly furnished and most notorious of
all the houses of that kind in the State.
MeDufIa. it seems began there as IA dea-
Ter Mt monte, and subsequently, became one ot
iba proprietors, his partner being person nam'
Van Read The name of this firm McDuilie *
Van Read. appears in the Maryland Directory
with n very scahng account OF the criminal
character Of their gambling house, and they arc
the only names of that kind appearing in tire Di-
rectory. Moreover, respectable newspaper
published at Marysville, and another ut San
Francisco both vouch for the identity Of Me-
Dui1e and the truth of the statement concern
ing his character. When religion and morality
began Ia acquire footing in California, ganb-
ling became odous. and the Legislature assess
cd heavy tax on the business. This caused the
wealthy gamblers to turn their attention 10 pol
itics, and among others, McDuie was elected
To the Legislature upon the Democratic ticket,
during an excited political canvass. Meantime,
the original tax on gaming had been so altered.
as TO break up the small gamb ling houses, and
leave the great ones Ia monopolize the business.
But the FL Dorado had fallen behind in the pay
ment Of its taxes, and when McDullie became
n politician, he got bill passed ordering
n noHe prosegui to be entered in all cases
instituted against his firm for the recovery
ct arrearagcs. The last law enacted by
the Legislature the subject of gambling
houses prohibited them altogether under severe
penalties. The gamblers have, therefore, sought
new occupations, aud thus McDuilie has turned
his political influence to account. The post of
Il. s. Marshal, which he has been appointed to
fill became vacant through the murder OF Gen-
ernl Richardson. by Charles Cora, n gambler,
who frcqucn,ed McDuliies saloon. The woman,
Belle Cora, dashing, successful female
gambler at the FL Darado. 1t was about her
presence in the box with Mrs. Richardson that
the qunrrol arose. which ended in the murder
The sister of this Belle Cora lived with McDullie
II is rather II strange coincidence, under these
eireum stances, that McDuliie should have been
appointed to fiji Richardson's place. McDuhie's
partner, Van Read is said to have been busy in
hunting up evidence to clear Cora. Colonel John
b. Weller. II. s. Senator from California, APP
pears to hive been McDuiIie's chief advocate
for tho appointment of l.. $. Marshal and it is
alleged that when some person remonstrated
with President Pierce on tho character of the
man, he replied that he had promised Col Wei.
Ter to appoint him and must keep his word. There
mny be error or exaggeration in some of these
statements, and hence we do not vouch for any
of them. But tho seems plain enough that
McDuilie is, notorious gambler, and
therefore is unfit for the position 10 which tho
President has appointed hm.-Phiia. Gazette.