The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1872-11-27
GAMBLING IN WASHINGTON.

Washington for many years had
been hot-bed Cor gamblers of high
aud low degree. There were a dozen
taru-banks or the Avenue within a
stone's-thrOw Of Gadsby's, on the cor
ner of Sixth Street. Many of these
establishments had clubrOoms attach
ed, where members of Congress aud
others amused themselves with brag,
vingt-et-un, and whist. Draw.poker
came into vogue at a later day. Gam
bling, and for large sums, was COM
iaou, particularly among Southern and
Western members. Scores Of them
from Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, Ten
nessee, and the Gulf States squan-
dercd their modest per diem, then
eight dollars only, at the gambling
taolr, and some impaired their private
fortunes BY the same indulgence. 5. 5.
Prentiss was repurted 10 have lost
thirty thousand dollars the first win
ter he was in Congress.
The most notorious and dashing
gambler of the day was Edward PEN
dleton. He came from Virginia, where
he was well connected, his family be-
ing of the best blood III the State, and
hG marrie,,!! q most respectable and ac-
complished lady, whose father held a
resposible office udder the guTe"ment.
PendletOn gave sumptuOus entertain
ments at his ub-huuse, which were
well attended by some of the most
eminent public men in the district.
Mr.. Mangum, then President of the
senate, john j. Critienden, John NJ.
Bolts, John b. Thompsun, of Ken
lucky, and Linn Boyd, utterward
Speaker of the House, and others of
lesser note, were frequently his guests.
Congress had enacted stringent penal
laws to prevent gambling, but they
were Il dead letter, unless some poor
devil made complaint Of foul play,
or some neeced biackleg sought ven
gencc through the aid of the Grand
Jury; ana tnen the matter was usual
ly compounded by the payment of
money.
Whist was flvorite game with the
foreign ministers anu the elder states
men. Mr.. Clay, General Scntt, Mr..
Bodsco, and Mr.. Fox nephew OF
Charles james Fux-who represented
William the Fourth and Queen Vic
toria, often played together, hun
dred dollars being the usual stake.
They generally played well, as HoyIe
taught the game, but many of the
members Of the fashionable clubs OF
New York play with more skill than
WAS dreamed of fntty years ago. Gov
ernur Marcy was great luver OF
whist, but would never bet money 'ol
the game. There were always lnvet-
crate minister's in the Senate. \ story
WAS current ut one time of II protract-
ed sitting at the card-table, ut which
! Governor Stokes, of North Car lima,
and Mounjny Bailey, sergeanr-at arms
| uf the senate, were twO ol the players.
! IL ran III this Wise: the Senate ad-
jnurned from Thursday to Monday.
The party set down tn cards after dim
ner Thursday evening. They played
all night aud all the next day, only
stopping occasionally ly for refreshments.
| The game was continued Friday night
and Saturday, through Saturday night
and all day Sunday and SUNDAY night,
the players resting for snatch of
sleep as nature became exhausted.
,, Monday morning the game was in full
! blast; but at ten O'clock Bailey moved
on adjournment, alleging that his Off
clal duties required his presence in
the Srnute-chamber. Stokes remun
slruled, but The sergeant at arms per-
sisted, and rose from the table The
Governol grumbled aud scolded, but
hA lily gave II up, swearing thar it he
had suspected Bailey would break up
the game thus premulurrly, he would
have seen him any where before he
would lave Invited him to join the
party.
Mr.. Webster played whist, hut indif-
IerentIy ouly. fhe Virglnians were
addicted 10 that stupid game known as
shoe maker loo. President Tyler was
fond OF loo, aud on II rainy day, when
there was no great pressure ut public
business, lie has been known To make
up a game AT the White House, aud
play all day, having dInner IN hi
chamber, HIS cnmpuniuns usually
were William Se,don, Treasurer OF
the U;ited states, Cary seldom, hls
brother, sture keeper at the navy yard,
aud sometimes Governor Gilmer, o.
Virginia, WIlh uow and then another
iavOrloIe. he amount played for
WAS always small, hnt Mr.. lyler Was
as much delighted al taking pool as
# he had Snn hundreds
Public opinion was not So aNerse Ia
gaming in Washington us in most If
tue Northern ciucs. Pruhab the
tone of publlc morals is no more ele-
waited now than it was then, nut there
Was then less preteuse aud osteulalluu
of purify. AT a large party given by
the wife Of cabinet minister, Mrs.
OH