Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-11-19
O THE BETS STAND.

The Money staked in Savannah on b
the Hat Men Say About
Hat Bettinz-A Leaf from a Losers
Note Book.
It is estimated that the cash bets made
in Savannah on the result Of the election
foot m somewhere between 5000 and
5000. Very few Of these bets have yet
been paid. the majority Of men having
money up avoiding payment until the re-
suit Of the official canvas has been an
nounced. not that there is any doubt Of
the result but with a hope that in some
wav the bets may possibly be declared on.
Agreat norton ofthe bets made in Savan-
nan. as in other cities, were negotiated
during the week preceding the election or
even on election day itself. On such
trifing wagers as hats, cigars, cham
Dagne. oyster suppers, etc, it
Is safe 70 say that avery large per cent. Of
the population is guilty. The rules
Governing betting are imperative that the
state shall not be surrendered until there
IS an official record 70 settle the question
III dispute. with the exception that il the
principals 10 the wager agree 10 COM
promise or settle otherwise. then their
Joint unanimous voice shall determine
The disposition Of the wager and discharge
The stakeholder from all responsibility.
Money wagered on New York or the
general result must 20 one way CT tue
other without a division. The only men
who can hope for a stand-On are those
who hedged all their money. There was
considerable hedging done here, and Il
was all done in a few hours.
There are few heavy bets known TO
have been made in Savannah. the largest
probably lot being over $500. Several
500 bets we're made. and any number Of
S25 and $50 bets. a large majority, prOba-
BY t~bree-quarters Of all bets made, were
on the result IN New IOrk, and these viii
be officially determined by the report
Of the state board of c-anYassers which
meets to-day. Except there is a con-
test and the matter goes before the courts,
this report will settle the disposition Of
ali wagers.
From inquiry at the nat stores it does
not seem that hat betting was very lively.
If il was it Is evident that the parties who
did the betting are standing OF till the
last hour before paying up. The usual
correspondence received by leading hat
ters about this time Is or this pattern:
Please give bearer one hat, aud charge the
same 10 ny account. "-.
There is a tradition that a good many
men change their hatters after cleo
ton day. One prominent halter said
Yesterday 10 a NEWS reporter that fewer
hats. 50 far as he knew, had been bet this
wear than on any election he could remem-
Der. He could give no reason for this FUR
ther than that men who bet at all wanted
20 be sure Of their bets and put their
moLev in the hands Of Stockholders rather
than rely on a promise 10 pay, as is Gus
uOmary in hat bets. In the former case there
is no Glance for a man TO forget his bet,
/ and no danger Of losing unless the stake
I holder skius. while in the latter case a
GOOD many men. as soon as the WAGER j.
settled. and they lind ont they are on the
{ losing side. forget that they ever made a
bet. one man in town is said 70 hare
won fourteert hats and another zine.
Half a dozen men claim 70 have three AID
four hats ahead, but those who lose are
seldom heard Of. One enthusiastic sup
DOrters OF Blaine had on a page In his note
book the day before election a catalogue Of
mis- bets under a heading something a fol-
lows: Backed Blaine TO win -"
one hat; -- one small bottle; -
so even has put it up; -- one
quart Mumm's extra dry," and a number
Of other memoranda.
Hehas now written In heavy black letters
| across the page Lost" and at the bottom
| fOOts up the amount So, all in small bets.
4 BrOughtOn street nan was walking
down the Bay yesterday with a shiny
new beaver On his head and d tlcket H.
side with Number J." IN big letters.
/ Pulling of the glistening tile,
he remarked to a b~ystander; THAT'S
the third hat I'm in this tine,
bur Fve been losing fer y years, and Its
| time there was a change somewhere"
1t is a noticeable fact that the men who
win the bets are always TO be found. while
the losers are never heard Of except when
there is a contest.