Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1858-11-17

SALE AT A GAMBLING HoUsE.-At Wash
ington on Friday, was witnessed the novel
spectacle Of the sale by auction of the effects
of deceased proprietor of large gambling
house, The sale was fully attended, and
large number of ladies were present. The
place is thus described by correspondent OF
the Philadelphia North american
The house, itself, stands conspicuously on
Pennsylvania avenue, within two squares of
the Capitol, and on the frequented side OF the
street. 1t is as well known to citizens and
strangers as the White House, and yet has
mysteriously escaped the optics of the police
for years. The furniture, appointments, and
tone of the whole place were without the
least approach to refinement. and not the first
symptom OF luxurious living was visible any
where. 1t seemed to reflect the pompous
vulgarty of the owner, without any subdu-
ing tints of better breeding or even ordinary
good TASTE 1t is impossible that this resort,
as seen could have presented any temptation
but for those swayed by the passion of gamb.
ling, or that other, and if possible, worse
class, who are willing to be the pimps and
dependents OF these hells. The notoriety
which the house acquired was reflected en-
tirely by the character of its visitors, too many
of whom were in public life and from the
hold which the proprietor necessarily obtained
upon his victims, through the indulgence of
this vice. The published accounts concern
ing the success of the chief character in this
Pandemonium, like the description of the
concern itself, we're exaggerated in every res
pect. He is said to have. died. leaving 500
600 of other peoples money as the bulk of
his fortune. AS artificial display was nearly
as much part of the game as cards, his WIN
nings ere appropriated mainly to that object,
and hence he Haunted gay equipage on the
avenue which excelled all rivalry in decora.
ton, and may be said to have dehed com
petition. Those who claim to be well inform
ed, say that chad luck" had followed him for
several years, and that other establishments
carried off the profits, while he strutted along,
with little else than pretensons, assumed
from name which belongs to some of the
best blood in Virginia, but with which he had
no connection whatever.
These gambling resorts have increased fear
fully at Washington, within the last ten
years, and it is notorious that they have done
more to demoralize legislation than all The
other debasing and corrupting influences
which have been brotght to bear upon weak,
venaI, or needy mepbers of Congress | was
deeply impressed BY the silent but eloquent
witnesses of this bct, when the drawers of
Pendleton's desk fere opened Yesterday, and
numerous bills Hating to schemes before
Congress, were exposed o public view. The
misery and wretiJedness and degradation in
hicted upon ny aud families by these bells
are appaling,han even the imperfect dis.
closures whichhaye reached me accidentally,
exhibit statEot morals in Congress which
would astonR the country if exposed. Some
Of these gaTn lers, and others who are con-
cerned as Ppitalists with them, are openly
employed AZ. obby agents, from their supposed
ability to iTnTol votes through obligations
incurred Wv members, and the fact is one Of
common teFn talk that their tables are the
daily resorBof large class Of such voters, in
preference8o the hotels.
SuapgGas it may seem, the influence has
become % rami6ed that it was feared, at one
time, in the early stages Of the Kanzas strug.
gle, last season, when 'the House ives nearly
equallydyded, that the scale would be turn
ed BY a turn Of the screw upon particular
memHrs who were known to be in the
powf Of the gamblers. Itmay well be asked