Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1858-11-16
The Auction Of Pendleton's Gambling
House in Washington
MEMBERS OF CONGRESS AT THE FARo TABLE
correspondence Of the North Americans

WASHINGTON, Nov. 1.-THE auction Mt the
well known gambling house of Pendleton, lately
deceased. attracted n largo crowd yesterday
among which was liberal proportion of crino
line.
The house, itself stands conspicuousy on Penn
sylvania avenue within two squares Of the Capt.
toll and IN the frcqucnted side OF the street. 1t
is as we'll known to citizens and strangers as the
White House, and vet has escaped the optics of
police for wears The furniture, appointments
and tone of the whole place were without the
least approach to reiinemcni,and not the first sym
n,om Of luxurious living WIS visible anywhere
1t seemed to reflect the pompous vulgariy Of the
owner without any snbduing tints OF better
breeding or even ordinary good taste; 1T IL impo'-
sibe that this resort, seen, could have present
cd any temptation but for those swnyed by the
passion of gambling or that other, and, if posi-
bic worse class, who arc willing to be tho pimps
aud dependents Of these bells. The notoriety
which the house acquired reflected entirely BY
tho character Of it, visitors; too many OF whom
were in public life, mud from tho hold which the
proprietor necessarily obtained upon its victims,
through the indulgence Of this vice The publish
c accounts concerning the success tho chief cha
racter in this Pandemouium, like the Jrscri ption
If tho concern itself, were exaggerated in every
respect lie is sad to have died leaving $4,000
Of other peoples money US the bulk ofhis fortune
A artificial display nearly as much part Of
the game cards his winnings were appropriate
cd mainly to that object, and hence he Haunted
gay e9uipagc on the avenue which excclled all ri
yalry in decoration. and may be said to have de-
fed competitions Those who claim to lie wcll-in-
formed say that 'had-luck" had followed him for
several years, and TINT other establishments
carried of tho profits, while he strntieI along, with
httlr else than prrensionS, assumed from II name
belonging 10 some of the best blood in Virginia,
but with which lac had no connection whntcycr.-
These gambling resorts have increased irar!ully AZ
WASHINGTON, within the last ten years, and II l.
notorious that they have done more To dcn0rali2"
lrsisll,ion than ali the other drl,asing and cor
ruptin, influences which have been ;.rought to
i,.nr upon weak, yenal. or needy members of Con
,rcss. WAS deeply impressed by The silent but
eloquent witnesses Of this fact, when the drawers
ui pcndleton's desk wero opened yesterday, and
numerous bills relating To schemes before Con
..ress were exposed Ia public view. The misery
and wet h docss and degradation inflicted upon
men and families by these hells IRE appaing,and
even tn, impcrcc; disclosures which have reach
81 me accidentally, exhibit state of meruls in
Congress whic, would astonish the country, if eA-
posed. Some Of these gamblers and others who
are conccncrrned capitalists with them aic open
" employed as lobby agents, from their supposed
ability to control votes through obligations incur
red by members, nud the fact is enc or eomn,"n
town talk that their tables ARE the daily resort Of
II large class of such yotera in preference to the
hotels.
Strange rs it may seem. the influence has so
! amliied that it was feared, mt one time. in the
nr, stages Of the Kansas struggle. last. session,
when the House WAS nearly equally divided,
/ ,nt tie scale would le turned by turn OF the
rev upon particular members who who were
nown to be in the power OF the ganlcrs.--
! I NAV well he asked whore drifting, when
.,ch things can be- and go unrebuked?