The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1872-12-05
Gambling in Washington.

lllltltbtlbB obOAASD " A@HN - " WI
years ago, says:
Washington for many years has been
hot-bed for gamblers of high and low
degree. There were dozen faro banks
on the Avenue within stones throw of
Gadsby's, on the corner of Sixth street.
Many of these establishments had club
rooms attached, where members of Con-
gress and others amused themselves with
brag, vingt-et-un, and whist. Draw
poker came into vogue at q later day.
Gambling and for large sums, was COM
mon, particularly among Southern and
Western members. Scores of them from
Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, and
the Gulf States squandered their modest
per diem, then eight dollars only, at the
gaming table, and some impaired their
private fortunes by the same Indulgence.
S. S. Prentiss was reported to have lost
thirty thousand dollars the first winter
he was in Congress.
The most notorious and dashing gam
bier of the day was Edward Pendleton.
He came from Virginia, where he was
we'll connected, his family being of the
best blood in the State, and he married
n most respectable and accomplished
lady, whose father held responsible Of
gave sumptuous entertainments at his
clubhouse, which were well attended by
some of the most eminent public men in
the district. Mr.. Mangum, then Presi-
dent of the State Senate, John @. Crit
tenden, John M. Bolts, John B. Thomp-
son, of Kentucky, and Linn Boyd, after
ward Speaker of the House, and others
of lesser note were frequently his guests.
No,,,rrnee hol n,,antn1 ctrincnnf nnnnl
laws to prevent gambling, but they were
dead letter, unless some poor devil
made complaint OF foul play, or some
heeced blackleg sought vengeance
through the aid of the Grand Jury; and
then the matter was usually compounded
by the payment of money.
Whist was a favorite game with the
foreign ministers and the elder states
men. Mr.. Clay, General Scott, Mr..
Bodisco, and Mr.. Fox-nephew of Charles
James Fox-who represented William
the Fourth and Queen Victoria, often
played together a hundred dollars being
the usual stake. They generally played
well, as Hoyle taught the game but
many of the mambers of the fashionable
clubs of New York play with more skill
than was dreamed of forty years ago
whist, but he never bet money on the
game. There were always inveterate
minister's in the Senate. A story was
current at one time of a protracted sit
ting at the card table, at which Cover
nor Stokes, of North Carolina, ant
Mountioy Bailey, sergeant o
the Senate, were two Of the players. l
ran in this wise: the Senate adjourned
from Thurs day over to Monday. Thu
party sat down to cards after dinne
Thursday evening. They played al
night and all the next day, only stop
ping occasionally for refreshments. Th
game was continued Friday night ant
Saturday, through Saturday night ant
all day Sunday and Sunday night, tn
players resting for snatch of sleep a
nature became exhausted. Monda,
morning the game was in full blast; bu
at ten o'clock Bailey moved an adjourn
ment, alleging that his official duties re
quired his presence in the Senate-cham
ber Stokes demonstrated, but the SCI
geant-at- arms persisted, and rose fror
the table. The Governor grumbled an
scolded, but finally gave it up, swearin
that if he had suspected Bailey woul
break up the game thus prematurel.
he would have seen him-any where bt
fore he would have invited him to joi
the party.
Mr.. Webster played whist, but indi
ferently only The Virginians were at
dicted to that stupid game known ,
shoemaker loo. President Tyler WI
fond of loo, and on rainy day. whe
there was no great pressure Of publ
business he has been known to make u
game at the White House. and play a
day, having dinner in his chamber. III
companions usually were William Sc
den, Treasurer Of the United States, Cal
Selden, his brother, store-keeper at Il
navy-yard, and sometimes Governor Gi
mer, of Virginia, with now and then al
other favorite. The amount played f
was always small, but Mr.. Tyler was
much delighted at taking pool as if
had won hundreds.
Public opinion was not so averse
gambling in Washington as in most
the Northern cities. Probably the tol
of public morals is no more elevated nc
than it was then, but there was then le
pretense and ostentation of purity. .
large party given by the wife of
cabinet minister Mrs. Clay, chapero
ing a young lady from the North pas
GU lOOll SShpiShi
were playing cards, Mr.. Clay among t
number.
"Is this a common practice 2" inquir
the young lady.
eyes," said Mrs, Clay; "they alwa
play when they get together"
"DoR't it distress you to have \
Clay gambler" ..s.
"No, my DEAR" said the good {
lady, composedly: "he most alwa
wins"
In the winter of 1S41 General SEQ
Mr.. Clay, AIR. Fox, and Mr.. Bodi;
played whist once week for some tin
the stake, as usual, being a hundred d
lars. They played match game, Sc,
and Bodisco against Clay and Fox. Th
were well matched, and for long til
the game was pretty even. At lene
fortune favored Messrs. Clay and F.
and they were ten or tw9lve gan
ahead. +" Gentlemen" SAID the Russi
minister, rising from the table, "t
game has closed for the season. The 6
preparation is exhausted" And 81
enough not another game would he pl
much to the disgust and vexation
General Scott, who, of course, was cC
siderable loser.
PUsHING.-Those who 90 round W
nontribution how (ialIfOPDi