New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1886-07-07
Vice at Monte Carlo.

AS many Americans Will doubtless
visit Monte Carlo while abroad this
season, a description OF the most daz-
lingly dangerous spot in all Europe
may not be untimely. People are in
clined to wonder why the place has
not long since been closed. The fact
is that the site is not on the territory
of any Of the European powers. The
only authority is a municipal govern
ment, which is an alias for the great
gambling company. Both Monaco
and Monte Carlo are owned by
Prince Carlos III, OF Spain. who
lives in royal style in magnificent
castle in the former place. He is 70
years of age, and has been totally blind
for thirty-two years The general
manager and chief executive of the
gambling company is a woman-Mme.
Blanc. She is an elderly, heavily
built matron, much feared by all her
employees. Her husband, NJ. Blanc,
was formerly manager of gambling
company controlling the establish
ments at Baden Baden. Wiesbaden
and Carlsruhe. He first rented the
Monte Carlo site in 1854, from the
Italian government for $4,000 francs
q year. When Prince Carlos came in
to possession. four years later, the
present gambling ROOMS We're opened.
MIR. Blanc managed the place for eight
cen years, and at his death was sue
ceeded by his wife. When the great
German gambling places were closed,
Monte Carlo received an enormous
accession OF prosperity, which has con-
tinued to this day.
'"The noble, the idle. the dishonest,
the immoral-in fact, all who arerich.
No mechanic or artisan is permitted
to live in the province. You will not
be admitted unless you are independ-
entity wealthy and gamble for amuse-
ment only. The company does not
want the patronage OF anybody who
cannot afford to lose all he carries in
his pockets. If you get broke they
will send you home in first class style;
or if you wish to remain they will
board you free, handleyou telegraph.
c messages without charge. besides
tending you spending money"
'Don't you think that the estimate
Of 365 suicides per year is a little
steep?"
"Not bit. During the winter sea-
son they frequently average three or
Jour a day for long periods. Ofcourse,
all do not take place at the gambling
rooms or on the grounds, but count
ing those at Monaco, Nice, Cannes,
Mentone and other places. which are
| directly caused by gambling at Monte
Carlo, the estimate is none too large.
l have verified the figures over and
over by conversations with croupiers
''The castle at Monte Carlo devoted
to gambling purposes is an ancient
granite structure, two stories high,
with q broad flight Of shallow, pure
white marble steps leading to it. To
the east may be seen the Alps, and to
the west the Mediterranean. The
building adjoining is an immense edi-
| fee, and was built for a church. The
architecture OF both buildings is anti
lnated, and difficult to describe. The
offices and gambling rooms are on the
left side OF the main hall as you enter.
Above them is u large expanse of ex-
posed galleries, from which promenad-
ers can gaze down into the gamb bling
rooms, up at the moon and stars,
forward to the Alps, or out upon
the waters of the Mediterranean On
the right side OF the main hall are the
cloak rooms, a large library and read
ing-room and a lounging and smoking
room. Not a drop OF wine or liquor
| ht HI t1,o =
end OF this hall are the entrances to
the theatre, which building, although
an annex, is much larger than the
main structure. During the winter,
which is Of course the fashionable sea-
son, this theatre is crowded nightly,
no admission fee being exacted. The
attractions are always frst-class, and
Sarah Bernhard, who is great gam
bier herself, has given many a perform
ance there at a salary Of 81 900 a
night. On the second floor OF this
building are the six private reserved
gambling rooms, the most sumptuous
in the world.
Gin the busy season the best Of these
will rent for SO, 900 francs a night. and
single bets in them OIL 100000 francs
ate W ulSuCly OCCURRENCE. vi course,
their charge includes the strictest
privacy, with croupiers, a large police
guard, and every attendance and at
tention that the human mind has in
vented. You may imagine that this
is royal pleasure, and that the mere
possession OF millions will not secure
admission except in company withno
bility
ION entering the castle one passes
through a guarded anteroom to the
| door Of the gamingrooms. There one
is halted and politely requested to
give name and address. After few
further questions, the visitor is direct
ed to the office proper, where a search
| ing investigation is made by the chief
detective and his assistants If the
replies and proofs OF identity are not
satisfactory, the visitor is firmly but
respectfully denied admission. If he
passes muster, he is given a personal
card OF admission, good for one day,
three months, or during proper be-
havior, as he may elect.