The daily gazette., 1876-11-25
No Protection fO1. Poo
Purchasers.
MORRIsSEY, JOHNSON AND THE OTHER
SHAREHOLDERS NOT REsPoN-
SIBLE IN LAW.

From the N. Y. Tribune, Nov. II.
A lawyer of this city has examined the
various laws of this State affecting gam
bling to all its forms from raffies to pool
selling, and has made discoveries which
will doubtless disgust if they do not dis
tress many unfortunate spectators on
the late "event" of the Presidential
election.
1t is estimated that there are from ST.
600 900 to $2,5OO 900 locked up in the pool
boxes of John Morrissey, Johnson, Kelly
& Bliss, Crump and Tattersall's exchange
five of the worst gambling hells probably
ever permitted publicly to exist in this
city. 1t is stated that million dollars
have been taken out of Wall street al one
| for investment on the election. Hundreds
of collectors for large houses, whe make
settlements only at the end of each month
have many thousands of dollars of their
employers funds locked up in these pool
boxes, and are now in agony over the
prospect of no settlement by the pool
sellers at the end of November, when
they will be called upon to refund what
they have collected.
Thousands of young men who scrapeed
all possible sums together to invest in
these pools are now awaiting in hopeful
be made. Even merchants of standing
are in distress and discredit because of
this delay. and there is one painful case
now being gossipped about ofa merchant
who has had to go to Europe to rest his
added brain while his friends endeavor-
ed to rescue his imperiled business. 1t
will not add at all to-the comfort of any
of these Investors to know that they are
| also running the risk of having any one
or all of the pool keepers depart, without
risk to themselves, taking all the money
/ invested by the dupes.
Under the existing laws, Morrissey OF
Johnson, or any Of their agents ilitruSted
with the keeping of these funds, may
leave the city and go no further than
New Jersey in absolute safety from legal
prosecution. Indeed, they may stay. In
criminal action can compel them. Re
fusal on their part to pay would not bt
even a breach of trust. If any of theil
hired clerks were to steal the funds, the
pool purchasers could take no civil ac
ton against them or their principals
The whole amount in Morrissey's hands
may be used to influence the returns II
Louisiana so as to elect Mr.. TIiden, ant
yet no action would lie against M Morrissey
for using the funds of others. The poo
purchaser, like any other gambler, has nj
standing in court.
Il The Commissioners of charities ant
Correction aIe understood to be the only
persons authorized to prosecute in such {
matter; and it is known that they full.
comprehend their power in the premises
An old law authorized the Board OF Tel
Governors of the Almshouse to "appl.
, for receiver to take possession of tn
funds obtained and the effect to b
raffied" in any prize enterprise. TIL
! Commissioners of Charities and Corret
ton succeeded to the powers Of the TIE
Governors. The legal adviser allude'
l to holds that legally pool-sellng Is in tn
e nature of prize enterprise, while it
I'll 50, 500, 900 in the pools among the need
charities of New York is looked upon b
, many as the wisest distribution whicl
!, could be made of these funds.