, 1874-02-01
FARO.
A Lesson for the Young
and Unwary.
The Condition Of the Game
in Chicago.
In Inferior View Of a First Glass
House.
Opinions Of a Leading Gambler
on the Question.
He Argues that Faro Banks Help
the City's Trade.
Precisely How the Game Is C0n-
Quoted. -,
Progressive Notifications 1t Has un-
dergone.
Profits of the Bank---SuperStl-
tions Of Players.
How the Ffoprietors Make Sure Thing
Of Il.
Progressive Notifications 1t Has un-
dergone.
Profits of the Bank---SuperSti-
tions Of Players.
How tie Ffoprietors Make a Sure Thing
Of It.
EXPLANATION Of the Last-Turn SWindle.

EXPLANATION Of the Last-Tnrn SWindle.
The poets who generally speak to ell humani-
ty occasionally announce special lecture Tor
the benefit of the virgins and the Gallo" youth +;
and newspapers, which tell in prose what poets
tell in rhyme. also sometimes address them
selves, not to all their readers, but to the boys,
the girls. and the country people. There are
.nzny things which men aTe well acquainted
With, but which are strangers to ingenious
YOUTH The parent Ii not apt to glve ln-
str1ction to his children on some most essential
POINTS, since he thereby exposes his own weak
uess. and hence it becomes the duty Of q paper,
which las no children, and which Owls to no
Weaknesses, to act the part Of q tutor and in
structor to those who would otherwise have to
.ca7u, painfully and expensiTe1y, for themselves
It is unnecessary to inform the young that the
passion for gambling, the love OF chance for
ku1e. is innate in man. Every boy who ever
p,ayed marbles knows that he can remember his
own emotions, and the low estimation IN which
nplayine for fun nc was held. Man, whether
savage or civilized, heathen OF Christian. is q
born gambler. The instinct may manifest itself
in q hundred ways, in faro-bank, on Change,
or On the Gold Board, but the principle ia always
the same.
Still. the law and custom have msde d dis
tioction between different forms Of gaming For
man 10 keep faro-baDk is llegitinate; for .
gentleman TO avail himself Of his skill as . whist
or poker p1nyer to add to his income, is not 1lle
raj though improper. In both cases tho antag-
ouist lc6es, but great deal depends on the per
sou to whom he loses In one case, We say he
wae swindled; in another, that he Was unfor-
tunato.
IF faro-bank we're unnolested By the law, its
profits would be governed by the Same rule as
those OF any other business; there would have
to be certain sum secured to pay interest on
capital invested, defray running expenses, wages
4sos etc. The 6he fair I PeFSsntsge a egst Of s9 g5n
ordinary circumstances. But the moment
the business becomes illegitinnate, the
situation changes. When the owner OF 8
bank is subject to arrest and fine, and the
toners are also liable to arrest and fine, thereby
decreasing tine number Of visitors, his profits
made of those who do attend must be iucreas-
cd. If a fair game does not give them, an TN
fair one must. II druggist has but little Gus
tom, he must put high prices on his drugs; SO
must the gambler.
Is the vigor Of the officers Of the law in
creascs, so does the unfairness Of the gambler.
Subject to arrest tho moment bis quarters are
known, ho becomes nomnd: plying bis trade in
nc1t. Instead OF being satisfied with per cent,
he must have 80. Hc lives by chance Jobs, and
must charge high on each ono.
When prize-hshting becomes Illegal, there are
comes Co illegal, there d no ''squars " gaining
THIS is . mere statement Of fact, not IN argu-
mcnt for the federation Of gaming, or allowing
tho sale Of chances in q Kentucky lottery, . ten
rcund cake, or watch. a prombltory
liquor law stops to ~ considerable aal nhsh ea
bulky aud doteriorato by keeping. It increases
tho consumption Of whisky, which is more easily
managed, which has greater strength in less
space. So the spasmodlc enforcement Of the law
With faro banks only to increase the
number of 'tskn games," Of bunko, brace faro,
etc Partial 1aiding, therefore, may be pro-
ductiyo Of more harm than good, and the later
German system Of nprooting and exterminating
is the only thorough aud successful treatment Of
the evil.
Under the new regime, in this city, there is 8
change There are new gods in Israel. Kehm
has supplanted Washburn, and leprescnt policy
is to arrest inmates Of gaming houses only when
disorder prevails in the houses, or upon war-
raut duly sworn out. The Immediate result is
that the gamblers arc taking heart OF grace.
Faro-banks are increasing. and bunko ls dlmln-
ishing. The ginning -hells are becoming more
public.
only proper to give the views Of D prominent
gambler on the question. We publish the argu-
moats Of Communists. even while We condemn
them, and it is but fair to allow the gambler,
vino has no newspaper organ, . chance to state
his side of the case. Besides, it ia interesting
to know the opinions of people with whom the
mass of mankind never come in contact, men
often endowed with decided, though perverted,
ability. ,
ETEnv1Ew WITH GAMBLER
In the sp1iug Of 1875, Mayor Mednl was favored,
visit from 6rA Nf thu boaT- and
most intelligent and popular members OF tho
gambling fraternity Of Chicago, who, with the
urbanity of the polished man that no ia, called
to have talk with His Honor, with view to
With the police authorities, who, BY order Of tho
Mayor, we're pursuing relentless and lnceseant
Isar upon the faro-banks, smashing in doors,
breaking up furniture, and, in TACT, committing
Ill the damage possible. Supt: WASH
s ssps haa fsESsS n EGssso ana s day and night
.ampaisn was prosecuted. So it occurred to Atr. |
George Holt, himself the proprietor Of faro !
punk, to Try and argue the matter with the mu- !
1icipal executive. As the result Of the confer !
'nce was never in print, = Il InInuSE reporter re-
earning some Of the circumstances connected |
;ith that interview. He found him enjoying al
siesta on the sofa in the reception !
oom Of his establishment, but he WAS hot slow |
o Jump up and extend q cordial welcome, assoon |
5 lie ascertained who the visitor VAS. The re-
orter inquired concerning tue state Of business,
I'd was told that it had been trit1e dull for
~ or two. owing to the fact Of the recent open
n: of 9 new honse near BY. which attracted away
ume Of his custom.
Eenorter-I have heard, Mr. Holt. that you
nco had in interview with Mayor Medill upon
IS subject Of gambling. Would you mind re-
ting lie conversation you then had With His
Iouor?
BE TALKs 70 ME- MED1LI.