Staunton vindicator and general advertiser. (Staunton, Augusta County, Va.) 1858-1860, 1858-11-20

From tine North American
The Auction Of PendlotOn's Gambling
House 10 Washington II Members Of
Congress at the Faro Table.


Congress at the Faro Table.
The auction at the well known gambling
house OF Pendleton, lately deceased, in
Washington, attracted large crowd, among
which was liberal proportion Of crino-
line.
The house, ITSELF stands conspicuously
on Pennsylvania avenue, within two squares
Of the Capitol, and on the frequented side
Of the street. It is as well known to citi-
zens and strangers as the White House,
and yet has mysteriously escaped the optics
Of the police for years. The furniture,
appointments and tore Of the whole place
were without the least approach to refine
mcnt, and not the first symptom Of luxu-
rious living was visible anywhere. It
seemed to reflect the pomrous vulgarity Of
the owner, without any subducing tints Of
better breedingo or even ordinary good taste.
Ii IS impossible that this resort as seen,
could have presented any temptation bu.
tor those swayed by the passion of gam
bling, or that other, and, if possible, worse
class, who are willing to be the pimps and
dependents of these bells. 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 in
diligence Of his vice. The published ac-
counts concerning the success of the chief
character in this Pandemonium, like the
description of the concern itself, were exag-
gerated in every respect. He is said to
have died, leaving $50, 900 Of other peo-
pies, money as the bulk of his fortund ~
As artificial disply was nearly as much a
part of the game as cards, his winnings
we're appropriated mainly to that object,
and hence be Haunted gay equipage on
the avenue which excelled all rivalry in
decoration, and may be said to have defed
competition. Those who claim to be we'll
informed, say that "bad luck" had follow
ed him for several years, and that other
establishments carried off the profits,
while he strutted along, with little else than
pretensions, assumed from name which
belongs to some of the best blood in Yir-
ginia, but with which he had no connection
whatever. These gambling resorts have
increased fearfully at Washington. within
the last ten years, and it is notorious that
they have done more to demoralize legisla-
ton than all the other debasing and corrup-
ting influences which have been brought to
bear upon weak. venal. or needy members
Of Congress, | was deeply impressed by the
silent but eloquent witnesses of this fact,
when the drawers Of Pcndleton's desk were
opened yesterday, and numerous bills rela-
ting to schemes before Congress where ex-
posed to public view. The misery and
wretchedness and degradation inflicted upon
men and families by these bells, are appall-
ing, and even the imperfect disclosures
which have reached me accidentally. exhibit
a state Of morals in Congress which would
astonish the country if exposed. Some of
these gamblers, and others who are concer-
ned as capitalists with them. are openly
employed as lobby agents, from their. sup
posed ability to control votes through obi
cations incurred by members, and the fact
is one Of common town talk, that their
tables are the daily resort of large class Of
such voters, in preference to the hotels
Strange as it may seem, the influence
has SO ramiGed that it was feared, at one
time, in the early stages of the Kansas
struggle, last session, when the House was
nearly equally divided, that the scale would
be turned by turn Of the screw upon par
ticular members who were known to be in
the power ofthe gamblers. It may we'll be
asked where are we drifting. when such
things can be, and 60 unrebuked?