The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1859-10-13
Gambling isa Washington.

Gambling isa Washi ngtOn.
The natural feeling which exists in every
CIVILIZED community against g,mbling, and
which il periodically excited, and sometimes
shows itselfin popular disturbances of the
most deadly character, has been aroused by
recen, event, referred to in the Washington
papers. resulting in large loss to stranger
wh' had been t,ecoyed into one of the gambling
establishments OF this city. Much as has been,
written on this subject, and much as it ia de-
nounced by the uninitiatec, who accepted ev-
cry statement a. correct ia regard to it, no
matter how horrible, it is certain that nowhere
in the United States is gambling carried on
so magnificent scale a. in this capital. A
good many circumstance conspire to this
state of things ,,...
During the Fashionable or Congressional sea.
son, when the hotels sn.t boarding houses ere
filled, rich in,n CON. f. IN all parts of the
country, and having almost nothing to do but
to enjoy themselves, there being no extensive
places of AMUSEMENT Of q different character
they are readily attracted into the luxurious
saloons where cards are cultivated, aud
where they find assembled, every night, many
agreeable and entertaining persons. There
is another class known under the phrase Of
peculators--operators in contracts in the
different departments, keen scented inoui.
ries after large jobs of every kind, and who,
in their onxiety to make influence" spend
their own money freely. In these saloons
may be found the most gorgeous entertaia-
ments spread for the qualification of the ap-
petite, the most abounding hospitality. tits
surprising, in the height of the season, how
much money is lost and wonin single night.
Agentleman well acquainted with the secrets
of these resorts tells me that he has known,
as much as ten, thousand dollars to be risked'
on single game and others have seen two.
or three thousand dollars hazarded on SIM
gle card, and in single game, The nom
chalance of the players is startling they lose.
or win thousands without sigh or smile.-{
OF course there are many who can afford this
costly pastime; and as they are collected, cool
and lavish, they become examples to the,
young men who stand by and watch the
struggle. and who are soon stimulated with
the ambition OF risking their little all in the
same treacberous and uncertain lottery.
The hold which the passion for gaming at
last obtains upon man can scarcely be de-
scribed It has been so in all ages. and isi
so at the present day. The phrenzy takes
possession ofthe savage as well as of the
Christp the most ignorant as well as or
the most intelligent, A young member Of
Congress-who has lived a blameless life, un.7
til his election, in.the little village where he
was born, and where he is universally respec.,
ted--alm,st before he knows it, is SWEET in.
TO this whirlpool ofga,ning. Frequently, the
close ofhis FIRST session finds him broken in
health and ruined in fortune | do not be. e
lieve that, stupendous as the vice ofNew
York unquestiona.,ly is, there are mo e facil
tiles offered by the adebts in gambling in that
city than there are advertised here In Mex.
leo, California, France and Germany, we are
told it is a common pratice for the ladies to-
frequent the gaming table. Happily, no such
accusation can be made against the society Of,
Washington. Even in private life, where
whist and other games are tolerated, you
never hear of female risking her money. 1a
Faro, in which the better encounters tho
bank, is the prevailing game in these saloons
and although tables are set out at which
what is called "br,g" poker" and other
games are played, the principal fascination is
the platform covered with green leather, be-
hind which sits the imperturable dealer; with
his pale face, black eye, and monotonous
"calls:" while on three sides are gathered,
sitting and standing, rank after rank of anx-
ious and excited spectators, who, breathless
with anxiety watch the little cards as they
are dealt from tha tin box, and pick UP their
gains, or swallow their losses, with a silence
only interrupted now and then by An angry
exclamation or quiet chuckle of exulta-
ton. a- a. aaa 81 ..aaa ra5tfEg
Night is turned into morning, and the lat
ter frequently surprises the contestants in
the struggle. Occasionally streak Of luck
befals an outsider, which, like prize in .
lottery is soon buzzed about, and becomes O.
sort of advertisement for the gambler i do
not pretend to say that there. is fraud in
in these games, because it frequently hap
pens that there is as much skill among the
volunteers as there is in the principles of the
establishments, but those who have taken
pains to investigate the facts do not hesitate
to say that, unles extraordinary occasions, the
bank is sure to beat those who attempt to-
take up arms against it. So cautious have
the keepers Of these places become, that they
are very careful whom, they admit into their
saloons. and it is to this caution that the
public is indebted for the preservation Of so
maneyfof those secrets which, If disclosed
would undoubtedly result in great excite
ment.
LEAvESwoRrH, Sept. s0.-Hon. Anson
Burlingame addressed the people here to-
night
The Utah mail arrived to-day. The Dem
yer City Express. also arrived, bringing IS,
600 in dust The increase Of crime in and
about Denver City and Auraria had become
aiarmiaing. a.at = a'.' s@l
The State organization movement had been