New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-11-24
InterestinG to Pool Purchasers.

A lawyer of this city has examined the
various laws of this State affecting gam
bling in all it's forms from raf1es to pool
selling, and has made discoveries which
will doubtless disgust, if they do not dis
treee, many unfortunate spectators on the
late "event" of the presidential election.
1t ia estimeted that there are from
$4,000 0C0 to g., 100000 locked up in the
pool boxes OF John Morrissey, johnson,
charge, five of the worst gambling bells
probably ever permitted publicly to exist IN
this city. 1t is stated that 81 100000 has
been taken out of Wall street alone for in
veetment on the election. Hundreds OF col
lectors for large houses, who make settle
ments only at the end of each month. have
many thousands of dollars of their employ
ers' funds locked up in these pool boxes,
and are now in agony over the prospect OF
settlement at the end of November, when
they will be called upon to refund what
they have collected.
Thousands of yourg men who scraped
all possible sums together to invest in these
pools are now awaiting in hopeful poverty
for the day when settlements will be N ade.
Even merchants of standing are in distress
and discredit because of this delay, and
there is one painful case now being Cos
sipIe shout of merchant who has had
| to 90 to Europe to rect his added brain,
while his friends endeavor to recue his i'm
| peri!ed 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 hav-
| ing any one or all of the pool keepers de.
| part. without fisk 10 themselves, taking all
the money invested by the dupes.
Under the existing laws, M0rrissey OK
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 the city, refuse
| to pay, and no civil or criminal action Can
| compel them Refusal on their part to paw
| would not be even q bre ach of trust. II
| any of their hired clerks were to steal the
| funds the pool purchasers could take NO
civil action against them or their principals
The whole amount in Morriesey's hands
| may be used to influence the returns in
Louisiana so a. to elect Mr.. Tilden, and ye,
| no action would lie against MOrrissey for
+, ustiue the funds of others. Tho pool pur-
| chaser. like any other gambler, has ne
standing In court.
| The commissioners of charities and cor
| rection are understood to be the only per
! sons authorized to prosecute in such mat
ter, and it is known that they fully com
prehend their power in the premises. Al
| old law authorizes the board OF ten gov
errors Of the almehOuse to apply ior
receiver to take possession of the funds Oh
tanned and the effects to be rallied" In an.
prize enterprise. The commissioners o
charities and correction succeeded to tn
powers Of the ten governors. The lega
adviser alluded to holds that legally poo
selling is in the nature OF prize entel
prise, while il ia moral y much worse !
division Of $500. 900 in the pools anon
the needy charl,i-s OF New York is !'oke
upon by many as the wisest Distribute
| which Gould be made of these funds.