The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1858-12-02
\" A"'ti"" sale ct Washington ar n
Gsmhies's House.

independent" the Washington CORES.
pendent Of the Month .fmcpan was pres
cnt at the auction at the gambling house Of
rrspLgroa, lately deceased, attracted IN he
says, by the poetIcal and lancIiul description
Of the premises contained in letter 10
the Boston Post, which VIZ published day
or two since. he thus describes the ",stab-
iIHhmcnt
Tho house iteelf stands oonspicuousy on
Pennsylvania avenue, within two squares Of
the Capitol, and on the ireqncnted side Of
the street II is as well known 10 citizens
and strangers as tho White House. aud yet
had nysiorIouyy escaped the optics Of tho
police for years. The furniture, appoint.
men' and tone of The whole place were with.
out the least approach 10 refinement. and
not tho first symptom OF luxurious living
was visible anywhere. j, seemed ~ reflect
the pompous yulgority Of the owner, with.
out any pubduing tinta OF better breeding or
even Ordinary good taste II Is ipiposslblc
that this resort, as 3eD, could have present
cd any temptation but for those swaycd by
the passion Of gambling, or that other, and,
il possible, worpe class, who are willing 10
bo the pimps and dependents Of these hells
The notoficty which the house acquired was
reflected entirely by the character oi it's via
itora, too many OF whom were IN public life,
and from the hold which The proprietor ne.
cessariIy obtained upon his victims through
the Indulgence Of thus yioe. The published
accounts conectnng the success ol the chief
4. In, L.. 4,
crption Of the concern i,acli, were exaggcr.
ntcd IN every fcepcct. He il said To have
died leaving $4,000 OF other peoples
money as the bulk Of his fortune. Az arti
fetal display Was uenrl as much d part Of
the game ma cards. bis winnings were appro.
prialed 10 that object, and hence be Haunted
gay cquipaFe on The avenue which excel.
led all rivalry in decoration. and may BIZ
soid 81 have dclcI competition. Those who
claim TO bc well informed, say that bad
luck hal followed him for several years,
and that other establishments carried oil
the piosits, while he s,rutted along, with IT.
tlc cbo than pteteDsions, assumed from
name which belongs to some Of The best
families in Virgiuia, bit with which he had
10 connection whatever.
tWR VtHlblUR Ttftfk HhNt 1nffgntNu
ftariuily 10 Washington, within The last ten
years, aud 1t IL notorious that they have
done more 10 dcmorallzc legislation than all
the other debssing aid corfuptiDg influences
which have been brought TO bear upon weak,
yenaI, OF needy members oi Congress. ]
was deeply Impressed by the silent but eio-
quent witnesses oi this fact. when the draw.
ers Of Pcndletons desk were opened, ycster-
day, AID Numerous bills, relating 10 schemes
belore Congress, were exposed 10 public
view. The misery and degradation inflicted
upon men and families by these bells arc
appalling. and even the imperfect disclosures
which have reached me. accid, ntaly. exhibit
state Of morals IN Congress which would
as,onish the country II exposed. Some Of
there gamblers, and others who are con.
ccrDed a. capitalists with them are openly
employed ~ lobby agents, from their sup
posed ability 10 control votes through obi
CATIONS incurred by members. aud the fact
IL one OF common town talk, that their
tables ART the daily resort Of sucb voters In
preferences TO the hotels. This thing has
assumed serious shape when publicity be-
comes duty; for, strange AZ il may seem,
the Influence has 40 ramifed that II was
feared, at one time, IN the early stages Of the
kansas struggle. last ssson. when the house
was nearly equally divided, that the scale
would be turned by turn Of the screw upon
particular members who were known u BE-
IN the power Of the gamblers. Il may we'll
/ be asked where are we drifting, when such