The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1859-10-29
Gambling in Washington.
. Correspondence Of the Philadelphia Press.l

WASHINGTON, Oet. z. 1859.
The natural feeling which exists in
every civilized community against gam
bling, and which is periodically excited,
aud sometimes shows itself in popular dis
turbances of the most deadly character,
has been aroused by a recent event, re-
ferred to in the Washington papers, re-
sulting in large loss to a stragger who
had been decoyed into one Of tho gam
bling establishments of this city. Much
as has been written on this subject, and
much as it is dcnouncedsby the unini,ia-
ted, who accept every statement as cor
rect in regard to it, no matter how horri-
bic, it is certain that nowhere in the
United States is gambling carried on On
so magnificent scale as in this capital.
A good many circumstances conspire to
this state Of things.
During the fashionable or Congression-
ii season, when IL hotels aud boarding
houses are filed, itch men come from all
parts Of the country, aud having nothing
to do but to enjoy themselves, there be-
ing no extensive places Of amusement
Of different character, theyare read
lily attracted into the luxurious saloons
where cards are cultivated, and where
they find assembled, night after night,
many agreeable and entertaining per
sons. There is another class known un-
der tho phrase Of speulators-operators
in contracts in the different departments,
keen scented inquircrs after large jobs of
every kind, and who, in their anxiety to
make Influence" spend their own money
freely. In these saloons may be found
the most gorgeous entertainments spread
for the ratification Of the appetite, the
most expensive wines, and the most
Astounding hospitality 1t is surprising,
in the hight Of the season, how much
money is lost and won in single night.
A gentleman well acquainted with the
secrets Of these resorts tells me that be
has known IS much as ten thousand dol
lars to be risked on asinylc game, and 9TH
ers have seen two or three thousand dol
lars hazarded on single card, in single
game. The nonchdldnce Of the players is
startling--they lose or win thousands
without sigh or smile Of course there
are many who can afford this costly pas
time; aud as they are collected, cool, aud
lavish, they become examples to the young
men who stand by and watch the strug.
gle, and who are soon stimulated with
the ambition Of risking their little all in
the same treacherous and uncertain lot.
tery.
The hold which the passion for gaming
at last obtains upon man eau scarcely
be described. 1t has been so in all ages,
and is so at the present day. The phren
zy takes possession of the savage as well
as the Christlan-ot the most ignorant
as well as the most intelligent. A young
member of Congress-who has lived IA
blagneless life, until his election, in the
little village where he WAS born, aud where
be- is universally Representatives, be-
fore he knows it, is swept into this whirl-
pool OF gaming Frequently, the close
Of his first session finds him broken in
health aud ruined in fortune. | do not
believe that, stupcndous as the vice Of
New York PROFESSIONALLY is, there are
more facilities offered by the adopts in
gamblin. in tina: city than there are ad
vcrsi~.d here In Mexico, California,
France and G. rmany, We are told it is a
common practice for the ladies' to fire.
quent the gaming table. Happily, no
such accusation eau be made against
the society of Washington. Even in
private life, where whist and other games
are tolerated you never hear of female
risking money.
Faro, 10 which the better encounters
the bank, is the prevailing game in these
saloons, and al;ht ug' tables are set out at
which what is called "brag,' 'poker,"
and other games are played, the principal
fase' 1ation is the platform covered
with green leather; behind which sits
theimpertubrable dealer, withhis pale face,
black eye, and monotonous "calls;' while
on three sides are gathered, sitting and
standing, rank after rank Of anxious and
excited spectators, who, b eathless with
anxiety, watch the little cards as they
are dealt firm the tin box, and pick up
their gains, or swallow their losses with a
silence only intern, ted now and then by
angry exclamation or a quiet chuckle OF
sxultation. Night is turn 4 into morn.
ing, and the latter frequently surprises
tie contestants in the struggle. Occa.
sionally streak of luck befalls an outsider
which, like a prize in n lottery, is soon
buzzed about, and becomes a sort Of I'D.
yertisement for the gambler | do not
pretend to say that there is fraud in these
9 mes, because it frequently happens
that there is as much skill among the
volunteers as there is in the principals o.
the establishments, but those who have
taken pains to investigate the facts d.
not hesitate to say that, unless on extra
ordinary occasions, the bank is sure t.
beat those who attempt to take up arms
against it.. So cautious have tho keeper
Of these places become, that they arr
very careful whom they admit into thei
saloons md IL ia tn This ca-.ion that sh'
public is indebted for the prescrvstio,
Of SO many Of those secrets which, il dis
closed would undoubtedly result 10 grea
oxcitem ent