Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-12-13
Bold and Bad-0f Four United
States Senators, and They All
Hail from the South.
Nearly 81 Congressman Mixed up
in the Scandal.
A Faro Dealer Gets Sinecurs, $3.50.
Special to the Kennebec Journal. !


The most startling piece of congressional
corruption and depravity is on the verge of
creating a scandal greater in magnitude than
the one Washington has just experienced
with her police force. The following was
told tonight TO the Journal correspondent by
a person who is in the position to know the
true facts. He states that he can produce
the necessary proof if called upon to do So
The names will not appear for obvious reas-
ons They will appear soon enough.
There is a club in Washington composed
of four senators. Three are southwestern
men and the other comes from a section of
the country not a Thousand miles from this
city. In addition to the senators there are
sixty-one members of Congress and about
twenty more of the common herd. The latter
are mostly ex-members and those who are
wealthy and have sporting inclnstions. The
club plays faro, exclusively. They have for
dealer young man who has been at the
business for a number of years. He is also
interested in the pool selling business here
and when Congress is not in session spends
most of his time IN a pool room not far from
Willard's Hotel. The members of the club
thought they would avert suspicion by chang
ing the base of proceedings six times a week.
SO now they have their game one night at the
corner of Sixth and Pennsylvania avenue,
and the next night at the Corcoran building
md ala ,..,ls
To defray expenses they each contribute a
sum, ranging all the way from Ave to ten
dollars per month This amounts to consid-
cradle even after paying the rents of the sew
eral rooms. The surplus is expended in
choice liquors and cigars which are given
gratis to the members.
The dealer of the game has BY some mvs-
terious influence been appointed to sine
cure on House committee, to which, by the
way, the interests of Name are closely con-
nected. The chairman is prominent mem
Der of the club. The nobby possessor of the
sinecure draws six dollars per day as his
modest salary.
The most startling part of the whole affair,
is this; There ars about fur prominent pool
sellers in Washington, and last session a bill
was introduced in the House of Representa-
tatives for the prohibition of all manner of
betting on horse racing, such a, pool selling,
book-msking, etc. 1t was obvious that the
bill would have to be chokcd off in the SEN
ate. SO the pool men made up q sum of
$3.50 to be divided among the four senators,
who could pigeon hole the bill. Of course
the four members of the club were given the
job. They took a retainer of goodly size and
finally succeeded in killing off the whole
thing, much TO the qualification of their eli
ents. who believed their bu ,iness was ser-
ously endangered. The bill died an unnatural
death and has never been called up and prob
ably will not be until next session. This,
probably, is the most crooked piece of work
that has been perpetrated at the capital for
many a day.
From certain existing circumstances it can
be surmised that the real instigators of the
order, ito shadow Congressmen"so as to black
tndli tucm, hutW VI iHlS Ciuu, duu Wuht 10
more, have been guests at its sesnces. It is
not at all Improbable that the "club" was IN
the minds of those who originated the scheme
to compel Congress to vote large appropri-
alton for the extension of Massachusetts, Ave-
nue.. Had this 'club" been raided it may be
safely stated that the ring could have secured
enough votes to carry their point
When this matter is as clearly ventilated
as was the police unpleasantness, then look
out, watch the sparks fly.
Maine Personals.
Hon. L. d. M. SWEET of Portland, is here
for the winter. He represents the Northern
Pacific R. R., as usual.
Hon. J. P. Bass is at the Riggs House. en-
deavoring to have change enacted in the
Bangor postoffice and collectorship.
1t was Col" Benz. Bunker who secured
the appointment of the Winthrop postmaster
and not other parties who have gobbled up all
the glory for said appointment.