The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-02-18
PHILADELPHIA GAMBLERS CONVICTED.

PHILADELPHIA, Feb. II. 1873.
Philadelphia has q genuine sensation to-day-a
sensation with moral have telcgraphed you
from time to time the progress OF the trials Of nve
men accused OF being proprietors Of gambling
houses Three OF these men--O'Bricn, Marks and
Pierson-were convicted about two weeks ago.
Sner and Kaas. the remaining two, were tried on
separate indictments, and the jury after being
out for the unprecedented period Of eleven days. q
part OF which time was spent otherwise than
celebrating, by their own admission, returned ON
Saturday last with verdict OF guilty of the fourth
count OF the Indictment There is no doubt the
jury, completely worn out came to their conclu-
sion to convict on the fourth count, thinking of
course, there would be the lightest punish
ment following conviction on this count;
but they made q sad mistake, as this
count, which accused the prisoners Of exposing to
view games OF chance, &C., has the severest pun
shment attached to 1t as a penalty. Against the
verdict delivered, there was no appeal, and the
jury were discharged with the thanks of the Court.
This morning the five convicted gamesters were
brought up from Moyamensing to receive sentence.
President Judge Allison came into Court at ten
O'Clock and the cases Of these were brought for
ward for final disposition. Before receiving SEN
tence Mr.. NJ Hall Stanton, President Of the Board
Of Public Education, and several other gentlemen
of character testified to Siners previous good char
severe a sentence as hts co'UHeres IN crime. The
Judge, after hearing the witnesses in Siner's de-
fence, said the five prisoners were to stand up and
receive sentence
The Judge first addressed Siner ana Kaas, deln-
ing to them the offence OF which the jury had con-
vcted them, upon which the maximum punishment
was an Imprisonment Of i've years and fine Of
$500. He did not know what view had Influenced
the jury in cOnvicing upon the fourth count OF the
indictment. If they intended to restrict the pun
ishment to the very highest that could have been
ishinent would be imposed upon that Had they
convicted upon the nrst count alone the Court
could not have imposed an Imprisonment en-, Of more
penalties permitted by the law, Influenced as he
was by the fact that these were the first conyic-
ssd sI ss'Rs THIS
years. Men had been following this business
continue their pernicious purposes undisturbed
He would not say whose fault this was, but he
gay h eoad da ns est S to
sumo the character OF policeman, TO 60 out and
Rupt mp evidence against Offenders and then take
these same offenders But the Court could do one
thing. When such parties were brought to the
bar Tor trial the Court could that speedy Justice
was done, with all due regard to the rights Of the
lis Honor spoke of the evil and corruptng ef-
| feet of the gamblers business, saying that, while
bearing in mind the hardships that might fall upon
siners' wife and children by this Judgment,
may have been entailed upon other wives
and little children when the money OF their hus-
bands and fathers was swept into the cash drawers
occupied high official position in the community
q member OF the City Council-no mean position;
and now he stood before the Court 9 senyicted
The court had but its duty TO perform and the
law must be INDICATED. As to Siner and Kaas,
imprisonment in the Eastern Penitentary OF two
years and six months. AS to Marks and 0,Brien
the same sentence was imposed. AS to Pierson
ment OF one year in the County Prison. which was
the sentence imposed.
When the prisoners resumed their seats =,
them crowded around the dock to offer
their sympathIes. The women. who were
one in Court. Kaas Is 9 man with an israeilish
cast Of countenance, with black hair and eyes,
mustache and chin whiskers, aged about thirty
''keno'' bank in Market street and proprietor OF
the Pig and W thistle, drinking saloon In an alley
or Seventh street. below Chestnut.
Council. This body, have very properly I'M
peached him. and he win, d9euotless, be ex.
position OF honor and profit under the cry
government he engaged in the nefarious business
His case seems 70 be without palliation. Siner is
! thorough type OF the ward politician. He Is
Of light compile xion, spare build, and sports
Marks was proprietor OF a news stand He de-
veloped q decided penchant for gambling at an
early age, always attending the base ball matches
and making himself conspicuous by displaying
rolls OF greenbaCks, which he offered as bets on
his favorlce. He is nothing more than boy at
this time.
O'Brien is q gambler In appearance though not
az Swelling" in his get up as some OF the dons
o. nns %Se 9d Of the FIFTH avenus
Pierson is the most respectable man in the lot,
80 far as go, but he was caught in bad
company and has to suffer for 1t,