Des Arc citizen., 1858-12-11
Congressional Gamblers.


 sermon recently, thus referred to a subject which has awakened fresh interest in the public mind since the late reports of the auction at Pendleton's Congressional gambling house in Washington;
 Within the last few weeks only we have had appalling evidence of the down. ward tendency of that course on which we are travelling, and it requires but chid's foresight 10 see the certain end. In the high places of the land--aye, and even among those who sit in the highest coun- cilS, almost under the caves of the Capital, and in city bearing a name, which of itself alone, one might think, was sufficient to kindle the warmest glow of patriotism, what what have we not seen? The reve- ation, of a gamb ing hell have told a fearful story. There were found the obll- gatons, unpaid, of some of our highest legislators, for debts contracted at the gaming table and the intimation of some of the public prints IS no obscure one that on important questions of the deepest na- tionaI interest, votes have been controlled by means of the power which a p!oiessed gambler has wielded in the possession of these moneyed obligations of so-called honorables.
 We have no doubt of the accuracy of the picture here presented. The gamb- ling hells of Pennsylvania avenue are the standing attractions of the national capital. The halls of Pendleton and others have been for years constantly attended by Senators and representatives,, whose Suc- cess or iII-success in fighting the tiger, as it is called, would account for not few of the eccentriclties of federal legislation.
 About two years ago, when allegations of corruption against members ol Congress were the subject of investigation, we re- member hearing it stated that the members whose votes on land grants and other schemes were most suspected, were the most assiduous attendants at the faro table. Some of them were heads of families, and held respectable positions in society and in the church but the temptations of the gambler were too strong for the virtue of men living away from the restraining in- fuences of home.
 Of course men who have been pluclled to the last penny by sharpers, and who see ruin and degradation staring them in the face, are in just the condition 10 be tempered with. Their personal indepen- dence and self-respect are gone, and their official integrity necessarily follows. For getting their accountability to their constit- uents, they become the retained attorneys and lobby agents of spectators and jobbers in public corruption, and sell their votes to the highest bidder. It was recently stated by Washington correspondent that the fate of the Kansas bill was settled over the tables of Pendeton, and not without a certain degree of probability, for great many measures of less moment have un- doubtedIy been thus determined. We have always questioned the efficacy of laws against gambling, without, however, questioning gAs right to legislate against gambling houses as nuisanCes 10 the com munly.
 When. however, these establishments are able 10 corrupt the source of public law, and to interfere with momentous pub- Iic interests, the nuisance atains a magnl- tude demanding the gravest attention. There is not virtue enough in Congress, some of whose most influential members are so deeply implicated, nor in their pli- ant and benighted servitors, the mob, of the District of Columbia, to suppress the disgrace, and perhaps the only resource IS in holding 'he more distinguished gamblers up to apprehension by name-in other words, 10 make a rogue's gallery of Con- gressional portraits.--[ New York Evening Post.