The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-11-23
PLAYING POLICY.
The Extent and Manner of Policy PIn Wing
Great Frauds on the Government.
republic.


The Extent md e pSSy Ravns
From the NeiC York Tribune Of NoU. %.
or all the curses with which this city abounds
there is none more baneful In Its influence on the
poorer classes than policyplaying which is carried
on with more or less success in over 900 different
places in this city. The patrons OF the game to
be found loungng around the lowest gn-shops, loaf
ing about the docks, lettering in alleys in fact In any
place where there is crime and misery you will see
number of habitual players, any one OF whom
would deny himself food to indulge in the pleasures
OF hope OF making "ht" in Pokomoke or Delaware.
The business is conducted in such a clandes-
tine manner that the public would have known
but little OF its many ramiieatlons had 1t not been
the full revenues which the laws demand. Hereto
fore the lottery managers have paid the five per
cent on their alleged profits, instead of their saes
but astute revenue detective who, by the direc-
ton Of Supervisor butcher, has been engaged
'playing policy" on a large scale and at various
thousands instead OF a few thousand dollars per
month The selling OF lottery tickets is the ghtest
the managers. The principal lottery firms in the
city are c. II. Murray & Co., and the drawings Of
eVey day in seSeTa our
ries; The drawings take place at st. Louis,
and OF s@1 the sSn are city
in cypher to the companies in this city. The policy
dealer, like M British convict, Il n known only by his
you takes your choice" His dingy shop, almost
and shaded that you can hardly the chalk-marks
on the blackboard, announcing the lucky numbers.
There is furniture to be seen not even desk or
pen or ink A small show-window, lined with faded
cotton velvet contains handful of bogus coins and
one or two worthless mining bonds. At an early
sneaking into the shops With ii their gigs" SssH
ing interpreted their dream Of the night
before by the aid Of the 'Wheel of Fortune" or She
visit is to the ''Three Golden Balls" when they
pawn shawl, calico dress, or faded bed quilt for
''starter." Too often 1t is dishonest servant with
silver spoon sheet or some article q wearing ap-
parel, which has been stolen from their masters,
enters with her pail and scrubbing brush, has got
days work at house cleaning, but having dreamed
avenue, near Fourteenth Street, plays a 'gig" which
is three numbers 4, 8, IA. Chloe plays ten cents in
LOTTERY T says sSy ne anS % nep
they come from the wheel he will whitewash no
on the corner has Just been liberated from cell
| II, and he plays that number to come out
first or last. The young novice, who does not en-
humber to come out anywhere, but gets but small
premium in the event of the number turning up. In
fact, all players take a chance on any remarkable
| event or dream The dealer is furnished with
blank Sheet bearing the name OF the firm that backs
him. on this he enters all the sales, and must close
the list in time to reachs headquarters at IL O'Clock
NJ. Then his accounts are balanced, and the ''hts"
are paid Immediately. The dealer receives 12k per
cent on the saes and is allowed per cent. for rent
| and incidental expenses. The lottery firm keep 4
| and every day his account is entered and settled
| Sometimes dealer is suspected of doing more or
less business on his own account, at which time he
will only enter half or twonrds OF his sales. Ii he
is suspected, the firm, who have received the draw
ngs before it is time to close the books, will send
Combination Of lucky numbers that viii be sure ' to
break him. The scene at the policy shop when the
generally thrOnged With a nervous and aE anxious IS
| crowd Of wretches, who press around the black
The Shits' are few and far between, and the bias.
| phemy and maledctions to be heard from the dis
appointed players ARE are ightiSS in S They curse their
| where they assuage their disappointment In "ben-
zine" whisky. Few OF them have any idea of the
| odds against their making "hit, but when 1t is
| known that out OF so or more numbers that are
placed In the wheel there but 10 drawn and that
the reader readily understand what chances the
poor player has of getting any of his money back.
ing than dghting the "tiger." Many poor man or
woman will waste half OF their yearly earnings, and
confess tha6 az ov 80 Scn M away AS an IN
man over ten years ago saw three fre-engines going
to large fire. the bells having rang general alarm.
| ThescOmpanies were 8, 90, and 3S. lie and friend
made purse OF one dollar and played the numbers
in "gig." To their surprise the numbers were
parties have never played since that time but one
| of them has the habit OF looking at the drawings
6a he has seem the sams 2 anS ne
| during the entire time. On Saturday last and 20
were out in the Kentucky lottery at noon and I'm the
same lottery and IS were drawn in the afternoon.
As usual there was only one number needed to COM
| plete the "9ig"
The developments made by the investigation of
the Internal Revenue Officers show that the lottery
managers have been swindlng the Government to an
| enormous amount, and that out OF the 600 policy
dealers in this city but twelve had paid the slOO
license required by act of Congress AS fast as the
| dealers are brought up, they say that they would
willingly pay the license but that they are Unable to
| get manas er's bond, which is also required The
managers say that they will not sign the bond, for
the reason that they have no security against the
dealers negotiating with other firms. The examina-
ton OF Murray a Co.'S books show that their sales
during the months of August and September were
s375,000, while they paid tax on only $4,000 The
firm OF Murray Co. includes,i is said, Mr.. Bena-
ml1 Wood and Marcus Cicero Stanley, In many
ment on the accounts OF the dealers who are desg.
mated by numbers :-"Settled, b. b." Supervisor
butcher is determined that every policy dealer IN
the city shall pay the 500 license, and Shall have a
bond signed by the firm that he deals with. By this
means the Government will derive revenue nj over
| $500, 900 year from this source