The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-11-15
The Auction Of Pentleton's Gambling House
I'm Observation-Disclosures OF Congress ut the
Enru I'm
dence OF the Philadelphia american |

Correspondence Of the Philadelphia American
WASHINGTON, Nov IL, 1858.
The auction al the wei known gambling house OF
Pendeton lately deceased attracted largo crowd yescr
day, among which was liberal proportion of crnolne.
The house itself stands conspicuousy Penns
avenue within squares of the Capitol and on the FIRE
quented side OF the street II is Well known TO citizens
and strangers as the White House and yet has myste
riousy escaped the optics of the police for years The
furniture appointments and tone Of the whole place
without the least approach to refinement the first
symptom OF luxurious living visible any where II
seemed TO reflect the pompous vugarity of the owner
without any subdung tpts OF better breeding
binary good taste II impossible that this resort as
could have presented temptation but for those
swayed by the passion Of gambling or that other and
possible, worse class who willing to be the pmps and
house acquired reflected entirely by the character
of its visitors, too many Of whom were in public life. and
from me hnld which the proprietor necessarily obtained
published accounts concerning the success chief
character in this andemonum like the description Of the
concern itself exaggerated in every respect He il
said TO have died leaving $40 900 of other peoples money
the bulk Of his fortune. As artificial display was
nearly much part Of the game as cards his winnings
were appropriated mainly 10 that object and hence he
Haunted gay equipage on the which exceled all
ivally in decoration, and may be said to have deAed
ompetion. Those who claim TO be well informed say
hat bad luck hal followed him for several years and
hat other establishments carried OF the profits, while
he strutied along with little else than pre'ensons as
blood in Virginia, but with which he had connection
whatever. These gambling resorts have increased fear
July al Washington within the last ten years and it
notorious that they have done to demoralze legs
ION than all the other debasng and corupting
Influences which have been brought To bear upon
weak, vcnal, or needy members of Congress. ]
was deeply impressed by the silent but elo
quent witnesses of this fact, when the drawers OF
pcndleons desk opened yesterday, and numerous
bills relating to schemes before Congress exposed TO
public view. The misery and wretchedness and degrade
ton inflicted upon and families by these hells
appalling, and even the imperfect dis closures which have
reached me accidentally exhibit state OF morals IL Con-
gIess which would asonsh the country Il exposed Some
of these gamblers and others who concerned eap
taists with them are openly employed lobby agents,
from their supposed ability 10 control through oh
cations incurred by MEMBERS and the fact Is Of
mon town talk that their tables the daily resort OF
large class OF such voters, preference 70 the hotels
Strange as il may seem, the influence has ~ rimhed
that feared at time in the carly Of the
Kansas struggle, last session, when the House nearly
equally divided that the scale would be turned by tlTn
Of the upon particular members, who known
TO be IN the power OF the gamblers. II may well be
asked Where are We drifting when such things can be
and 70 unrebuked?