The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-03-04
NORM POKER PLAYERS IN CONGRESS.

Washington correspondent \. \. Sun.
But Unjust hurry through, giving only the
most prominent of the gay CHANDELIERS in the
House. 1t has been the custom to connect
the name OF Charley Earwell, OF Chicago,
with ell gossip about poker as though he was
king of the game. This is unjust to Charley,
and detracts from the fame Of others who have
fashion of holding more aces than he. Far
well is good, fair, average player, il quiet,
keeps good watch his antagonists, and
lays low. Sometimes he scoops in big stake,
and sometimes he is pretty badly 6coopod
himsr f. There is not poker player in Con-
gress that j. more popular with his associates
He never lets his card playing interfere WITH
his duties as a Congressman, and doh De-
leve he ever played game during session
of the House But he is by no means the
best player in Congress. There are Lat a
dozen who are his equals or superiors; but he
Is eminent authority on the game ana could
have written as reliable book on poker as
the one recently fathered by General Schenck
And Farwell would never have forgotten to
describe the ''strlddlc, an omission on the
part of Schenck which is unaccountable.
Probably the man in Congress who las
lost more money than any other is Fernando
Wood. He has been playing in Washington
now well nigh twenty years, and he has been
steadily losing. He is the same at poker
sleportm at lie never takes off his coat nor
inoults his dignity. He is the same calm,
Smpassive, Opaque individual that is daily |
seen in the House. Ho swears little occa- |
6ionally, but he scarcely unbends tor this
purpose. He also occasionally takes little
brandy and water, but this needs no unbend-
1ng. His face is a perfect mask. II he holds
three aces and pair of kings his face gives
ont no indication, aud he can bet a thousand
n M n of mn, nd nna car, oil
that he was blQfing. Yet somehow or other
he does not seem to get along, and the boys
get his money. Probably lngersoll, Schenck
Allison and Wood have played together
ottener than any four mon in Congress. They
used to meet at Welckcrs, where room was
provided, ana where lunch and drinks were
served Of the best and in the best style
What nducement was there to 90 home. A
nice, warm fire, pleasant company, cigars 10
smoke, every thing 10 eat and drink, and the
possibility OF making several hundred dol
lars; and, indeed, the possibility Of losing
1t but that is another matter.
George III. Adams, of Kentucky, plays
very strong game OF cards. having been a.
1t ndmber OF years All Kentucklans speak
highly of Adams's talent Being a bachelor, {
he IS also an all night player. He drink .
well, tells good story, and bets his hands
for all they are worth.
Speaking of kentuckians, reminds me Of
Boyd Winchester, an ex-member from that
State. lie used to be an inv-terate gambler
lie would Play all day and all night and for 4
two or three days running. He could always I
be depended upon. When the boys wanted :
TO get upa little game they knew they had v
bnly to find Winchester to make up the hand ]
1Ie would leave committee meeting or a SEES t
sion Of the House 10 take a hand at draw and
he was fearless player. Unless his oppo-
hentS und erStood his manner of playing lo
Was likely to pocket Is coed deal Of their
honey. II Was iertn " shown by the Wv.
lnd Means C"mmi te" TIA. At about The time
If the passage Of he Pacific Mail subsidy
Winchester dep eited with the Sergeant at >
Arm, II thousand doll rs, ahl by someil w.tS :
hought that tie uad ie,eN" the money from
he corruption fund. s. lie was summCrc !
here from .ntucky q give his evidence. II. :
t. baviug deposited the money.
'u he sad ne voted against tno bill and did
lot get II dollar from the company Il 4
lnaliy acknowledged that he made the money
t the gaming table and being pressed some o.
hat gave lhrcommit ee quietly to understand !"
hat one of Its members could bear testimony A.
o the fact lie alluded to Fernando Wood. a.
nd thai gentleman subsequently said he nas
crsondly cosilzani Of the fact Winche ter ~
$50 told some Of the members of the com
littee that if they wanted still further eyi- :
cnce, he could summon Gen Schenck from 1
10 American Legation in London The com
lttee very cheerfully Iii charged the wit :.
ess before he conId TIL my more. Schenck
nd been chairman OF that committee. and
ley did not want to further ipure its Good
anne. pri