The New York herald., 1870-08-19

and unlike other houses, no ono par
ticipates in the profits but the proprietor
II 10 a curious fact that the reputation
gamblers have Of being liberal men senda
TO their door petitions from religious institutions
and denominations OF oil classes. While the re.
porter was talking with Mr.. William Chamberlain
person came In with charitable plea, and no
left with lfty dollars. The manager assured tho
reporter that this occurred every day, and that
he contributed $500 to the Avondale sufferers;
but that charities are never assisted publicly,
Hamplers he asserts, know what 1t Is to want, and
they feel for Others who are
DESTITUTE AND NEGLECTED
by the cold formaties of the world. As to the
actual sum that changes hands at faro and rou.
lette 1t is something that can hardly be deter
mined, but II il incredibly large. The bank NAV
win or lose. At Chamberain's the money pass.
ing between the player and bank is millions q
year. Let us pass to
A FEW GENERAL REFLECTIONS.
From what the reader can perceive, gambling
Is one OF the low and uncomfortable vices which
exist where other forms Of degradation superin-
any means have such base allies when considered
in its highest phases. To suppose that this Il for
the well being of society is On erroneous judg-
ment upon facts. The more gambling or any
other radical wrong gains dignity from luxurancs
and refinement from patrons who bring to it the
prestige Of social influence the greater is the
measure of culpability, the deeper its degree
Of damnation. While it kept within the
and was crcumscribed by certain limits
defined by such classes as to whom it was but q
natural birthright there was little occasion for
alarm Now, however the case is different. H
is polite evil. II is of the accomplishments OF
the period; it is the rule in every business aud
gains increasing power as time rolls on. No young
man who is ambitious for the status of a sporting
man, fast horses, game cocks and champion con-
tests cna restrain himself from betting. 1t IL
condition of ones life about town. II he IL enr
gagged as cotton broker. as an oil broker, money
broker, or in any branch of speculative business
where profit depends upon the fiuctuations
of an hour, though his actual interests
may not be those Of gambler, he
ceriainly is middeman for those who play
at games OF chance and cunning. Tracing his
career as an agent of transactions which are
undoubtedly immoral, we see him soon make tho
transition from an agent to principal, and if this
evolution Ia accomplished with facility we may
Iook again, and then we behold him at the gaming
table, boldly endeavOring to regain his financial
losses. Brokers, from the character Of their con.
necuons, possess wide acquaintance. Their
consideration for their friends is equal to their own
selhshness for they are very liberal class OF men,
The result is that unconsciously they often becOmd
the advertisers of the ephemeral luck Of heavy
player at faro, and the hearer is interested; he
makes up his mind that stock buying and selling III,
after all, only a species of gambling, as writer's
have long been in the habit Of proclaming Ia
From worse he thinks it an Improvement to 20 td
bad, and 1t is seldom long before he is master Of
every game whereon money can be staked
There are causes OF an unmistakable
TENDENCY TOWARDS GAMING
in the fash halls, the unsettled condition Of
society-wealth to-day, poverty tomorrow; In
the reckless dishonesty which public officials eU
hbt in draining the city treasury; in the excite.
ments and growing fascinations of the turf which,
in England, brought the Marquis of Hastings TO an
early grave, the Duke of Newcastle to the un-
generous contunely of his rivals; in aimless
lives; in the enjoyments of vast fortunes which
fall by inheritance to untutored and easy. going
heirs in dwelling in citlcs among crowds, and
receiving the foreign influences imported to these
shores.
IL can only bc said, In closing subject of this
vital importance to purity in morals integrity in
government and souadness in mercantile affairs,
that 1t Is which should incite the careful con-
sideration of every citizen. When vice rises
above all others--above them all combined-and
struggles at power, has voice in legislation and
influence at the courts and has enlisted as It's
supporters the leading politicians of the day, il in
truly question of exceeding gravity. When IL
goes further, and puts It's grip upon every branch
of business, then people may look for financial
crisis when disturbing national causes have no
weight. The reader will inquire, .'What remedy
| do you proposeW We answer "None." There
is no practical cure, and men not attainable
rality. Yet it is believed that a constant aud
| systematic agitation of the question will bring
| many things TO light which will guard society
against the greatest dangers of gaming. Let ono
fact alone be impressed upon the player-that no
game was ever permitted in any house wherein
the keeper was not eventually the winner. The
amusing spectacle of giving two dollars for one,
whether by gambling or otherwise, IL only wild
mans dream. The inference is with the reader.