Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1880-01-31
GAMBLxNG IN TIE ARMY.
THE PRESIDENT DISCUSSES WITH THE CAB
met THE sINFULNEss OF GAMES OF CHANCE.

Il -
Washington, says correspondent OF a
New York paper, that the soldiers in
our frontier forts spend their spare time
in gambling. Naturally the Congress
sioual mind is filed with horror at the
thought that sinful games should be
played by men in the service of the
! United States, and bills have been intro
duced by virtuous legislators to pnt a
stop to the practice. The President is
understood 10 have been greatly panied
on learning that the officers and men OF
the Federal army are addicted to gam
bling, and the other day, just before the
appointment of a new Secretary Of War
he called meeting OF the Cabinet 10
discuss the propriety of requesting Mr..
McCrary's successor 10 issue an order
prohibiting gambling under heavy pen
alties
Mr.. Hayes opened the proceedings
with brief speech, in which, after a
passing alusion to the crops OF the past
season, he SAID that he had learned that
gambling prevailed to very great ex-
tent among the troops on the frontier.
This gambling, the President said, was
carried on, not only in the usual way
by pitching pennies and playing mar
bles to keep, but by game OF cards
called, ifhe remembered rightly, "sledge-
hammer" or "tougs." With this game
he was glad to say that be was unac-
quainted, but he feared that there was
no doubt that it was wicked game, and
one which was so fascinating that the
soldiers would frequently sell their BIZ
bles and hymnbooks in order TO raise
money with which to play. He wished
TO hear the views Of the Cabinet on the
subject, aud their opinion as 10 the ex-
pediency of an order from the depart
lnent torGidding all games of chance.
Mr.. Key begged to correct the Presi-
dent. The games to which he bad re-
ferred were doubtless "old sledge" and
''poker." The former, he was free 10
say, was game unworthy Of officers
and gentlemen, aud as to poker, he
must confess that it was ruinous both TO
the body and pocket-he should say
soul. Il remember pursued Mr.. Key
''lhat while | was an erring Confederate
soldier we used TO play poker every pay
day. ] once raked in $4,000 in Con
federate currency Git was worth about
$500 in single night. / just did hold
the most alfred hands. There was
ice | drew to three kings and filled. /
reckon | made about four times my
pay 10y poker while | was in the army.
"Permit me TO inquire" said MIR.
Evarts, "if my learned friend adduces
these facts as evidence of the ruinous
consequences of poker? If so, | will
call the attention of his Honor the
President TO the fact that they go to
prove that this so-called poker is one of
the most profitable Of American indus
tries.
Il Cannot blay any of your boxer"
said Mr. Schurz, "but / know my biano
is far better. will blay Something's for
you now if you like But, so! gan |
believe it? Is der biano away from der
room gomez
The President explained that Mrs.
Hayes had moved the piano up stairs 10
make more room for the Cabinet meet
ing.
at is curious" continued Mr.. Schurz;
"when l game to Washington there is
a biauo in every house TO which | vent.
Now every one has been up stairs Ia
ken. ! cannot account for it. What
is"
Il recklcct,' broke in Mr.. Thomson
without the slightest apology for bis in
terrup,ion of Mr.. Schurz, II reckelect
when | was boy rafIin' or the Wabash,
We used 10 play old sledge and poker,
and go odd man for quarters all day
long. One voyage l scooped the cabin
and all hands, and come into New Or
leans with all the money OF the whole
crowd in my pocket But as Mr. Hayes
says gamblin' is wrong, very wrong.
Still there this TO be said Tor II: While
the soldiers are playin' poker they cant
be doing anything worse.
The President here asked if Brother
Thompson would kindly explain what
he meant by quarter of an odd man.
Mr. Thompson said that he could il
lustrate what "goiDg the odd man for
quarters" mean. very easily, If Mr..
Hayes and Mr.. Key would each put
quarter OF dollar down on the table
and cover it with their hands while he
did the same with another quarter. He
asked them to lift their hands and show
the coins. Both the Presidents and Mr..
Keys quarters lay with their 'heads"
up, while Mr. Thompsou's lay with its
tail" up. "You see,' explained Dir.
Thompson, "lhat your quarters were
Just alike, while mine was different; so
I'm the odd man, and scoop in your
money"
Mr.. Hayes regarded the disappearance
Of his quarter of dollar with some un-
easlness, but suggested that they had
better try it again, as he did not yet full
ly understand the game, and wished 10
know the full extent of its wickedness.
In the next three experiments the Pres
ident won, and remarked that he did
not see but that if it were played within
poper limits it would be an inocent and
amusing game. As the investigation
still proceeded, Mr. Eyarts and the rest
of the Cabinet, with the exception OF
Mr.. Key and Mr.. Thompson, gradually
withdrew. Twice Mr. Thompson cent
the call-boy out for change, and biz
brow grew darker as the hours went on.
1t was fully 10 o'clock when the Presi-
dent rose up and denounced the game
az beino Of clearly satanic origin. Mr..