Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1858-11-24
Auction Of Psndlston's Gambling House IN
W8shiDston-Xembsrs Of Congress at the
Faro Table.

Auction Of Psudlston's Gambling House IN
Wsshinston-XembsrB OF Congress at the
Faro Table.
Fnom the Phnadelphla American
WASHINGTON, November y Tue auction.
at the Xell-knowu gambling house OF Peadle-
ton, iately deceased, attracted a large crowd
Yesterday, among which was a liberal proper
ton Of crinoline.
The house itself stands conspieu0asiy on
Pennsylvania avenue, within two squares II tue
Capitol. and on the frsquented side Of the
street. Il is as well known to citizens and
strangers as the White House, and Jet 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, aud not the hrst symP-
tom Of luxurious living was visible anywhere.
It seemed to reflect the pompOus vulgsrty q
the owner, without any slbduing tints Of bet
ter breeding or even ordinary good taste. It -
Impossible that this resort, as seem could nave
presented any temptation but for those swayec
by the passion of gambling, or that other, anis
IL possible, worse class. who are willing 70 Be
the pimps and depend nts Of these bells. The
n~otoristy which the house acquired was re-
hsctsd entirely by the character Of is visitors,
too many Of whom were ia public life, and
from the bold which the proprietor necessarily
obtaissd upon his victims, through the iudul-
gence Of this vice. The published accounts
concerning the success Of the chief character
in this paudemOnium, like the description OF
The concern itself, were exaggerated in every
respect. He is said 10 have died leaving $50
600 Of other peoples money as the bulk OF bis
fortune. As artificial display was nearly az
much 4 part OF the game as esris bis winnings
we're appropriated mainly to hat object, aud
hence he Haunted a gay equipsge on Tie avenue
which excelled all rivalry in decorations aud
may be said to have dehed competition. Those
who claim TO be well informed say that "bad
iucks had followed him for several years, aud
that other &" establish euts" carried of the
profits, while be strutted along, with little else
than prsteutioDs, assumed from a name which
belongs to some Of tie best blood ia Virginia,
but with which be had 10 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 denoTaliZe legislation than all the other de-
basing and coTTupting Influences which have
been brought to bear upon weak, Venal, or
needy members o. Congress. | was deeply i'm
pressed BY the silent, bat eloquent witnesses u
this fact, when the drawers 10 PsBdleton's desk
were opened yesterday, and numerous bills re-
lsting TO schemes before Congress were expos
ed to public view. 1he misery and wTetched
ness and degradation inflicted upon men and
families by these bells are appalling, and
even the imperfect disclosures which have
IchEuGu nC dNNAutlidAtJ FAlAuAl dcAott "a mol ~
in Congress which would astonish the country
if exposed. Some Of these gamblers, and otherl
who are concerned as capitalists with them
are openly employed as lobby agents, from
their supposed ability TO eoatrol votes through
obligations incurred BY members and the fact
is one Of common town talk that their table,
are the daily resort Of a large class Of suct
voters, in preference TO the hotels.
strange as it may seem, the influence has 81
ramifsd that it was feared at one ume, 10 ID,
/ early stages Of the Kansas struggle, las. ses.
sion, when the House vas nearly equally diVi.
ded, that the scale would be turned By a turl
OF the screw upon particular members, whS
were known 10 be la the power Of the gam
; blers. Il may well be asked. Where are vi
, drifting when such things can be and go unTe
buked?