The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-06-07

pally Of diplomats. They naturally adhere TO
the games popular abroad. The American
gameof draw-poker is the enhancing sport
IN all grades Of Washington society.
POKER PARTIES.
There are many regularly organized poker
parties which meet on stated evenings and
play for several hours. These meetings are
held at the residences of member of the
club. and it IL the duty of the host
or hostess of the occasion TO supply
refreshments. Each club owns its para
phernalia and the host or hostess providesthe
requisite number of tables. The popular
game Is penny-ante with a ten-cent' limit,
though some OF the blOOded aristocracy adopt
higher limits. 1t is a well-known fact that
some of the most skillful poker players OF
these social clubs are ladies. Indeed a woman
of any sporting proclivity seems well adapted
TO poker. but as a rule the female wants 10
play for small stakes. Of course in some of
the clubs where men only play steep games
are INDUCED in. Frequently the limit is taken
of entirely. But among the male players
table stakes IS the popular game. Even
male sports. who when playing for pots with
their own kind make the game steep. con-
fess that for real enjoyment in poker
nothing equals penny-ante in the company of
ladies. The zest is equal TO that felt IN the
sporting game. Just as much anxiety is mani
tested TO capture a Jackpot made up of five or
ten-cent chips as in other society IS shown TO
VIII il lulu IL - III ~ 6O1AtNN
leaders who deem it no harm to indulge their
guests in the pastime Of poker that play for
small stakes is becoming very popular with
the upper circles generally. The practice has
certainly been quite generally adopted here.
and when Washington society stamps its APP
proval upon a custom it generally becomes
fashionable.
POKRR As A MORAL AGENT.
Naturally the presence OF ladies has a re-
straining. q refining influence, and il is even
contended that social poker has a re-
formatory effect in that it tends TO
keep the men away from the town clubs,
where play for gain is the rule and where in
toxicating drinks are INDUCED in as an aces
sorry TO the game. This view of the subject
will no doubt shock some who regard the very
presence of cards as dangerous and demoral-
izing, but il is not unworthy of consideration
when it is remembered that in social poker
the stakes are too small 10 excite cupldity.
while large enough to arouse all the interest
Of sport.
A WASHINGTON GoRDoN-cUMaISGs.
Within the last few years in Washington
cases similar to that of SIR William Gordon
Cumming has occurred not infrequently. One
of the most noted was that of an army officer
of prominence, who in "a game with social
EQUALS at one Of the most fashionable
clubs was caught cheating. At first his
associates refused 10 accept the evidence OF
their own eyes, but suspicion having been
aroused the player was watched and detected
in the very act Of cheating. He possessed SO
many good traits and was so popular that the
affair was hushed mp as well as possible, and
the officer. at his own request, was
sent to a frontier post. lie had
been living far beyond his means
and entered into play for heavy stakes in the
hope of winning out. Luck went against
him and in sheer desperation be resorted 70
cheating. He felt that it would disgrace him
to leave his poker debts unpaid and that he
might square them by foul play and escape
detection. A habitue OF the clubs where high
stakes are played for, a man who has
the better class of those who play for gain. in
discussing the Cumming case said:
Il know q gentleman-and in all ordinary
or legitimate pursuits of life he is a gentle
man-who cannot help cheating at cards.
i is not the StmpT prospect 10 of az gain IDoI eItheF,
ambition to be the victor; to defeat
all who come in contact with him. He
will cheat Just az readily when the chips are
worth only q penny as when they are worth
dollars. | believe he would cheat even If the
chips had no value whatever, Just for the
pleasure it affords him to boast OF having
beaten the other parties"
GAMBLING FASHIONABLE.
Despite the rigid laws against gambling in
Washington, there was never so much OFT
carried on as now. Not many years ago the
Federal capital was regarded as the paradise
of gamblers. They were permitted TO ply
their calling without legal let or hindrance.
Some of the most gorgeous gaming
houses in the country were here.
Elegant buildings were fitted up III
the most costly and expensive style and every
allurement calculated TO tempt the sportive
~nstinc of man to action was spread. Faro,
keno, roulette. poker and indeed all the games
of the period were in full blast. Patrons OF
these establishments and their guests
were made at home in the grand parlor
and coy sitting room and were welcome
to refresh the inner man with either liquids
or solids, or both. without money and without
price. Each evening a dlning-room splendidly
furnished, table gllstenlng with solid silver,
and attentive waters, was thrown open 10
patrons and visitors. Elaborate menu-cards
presented a list of the tempting visnds,
and the person who had once been
admitted TO the gambling palace was at
liberty TO order anything the house afforded
free of charge. OF course the doors wore not
open 10 every conner. At the entrance was
posted a man who thoroughly understood the
sporting elements OF the community. ms
was a delicate but very important duty. 1t
was TO exclude as far as possible any and
all persons who were intent upon getting only
q free feed. At the same time no member OF
Congress. no public functionary of any i'm
portence. was 10 be excluded. All who repre-
sented power were most cordially welcomed
and royalty entertained.
These places were owned and conducted by
men who had made a study Of human charac-
ter. Almost by instinct they could discover
that visitor whose only object was a seat at
the dining table and a free call upon the wine
list: and Il such an individual even after OBJ
tanning access 10 the reception-rooms had
any sensibilnies whatever he was made to feel
very uncomfortable by the freezing process
adopted. John Morrissey owned and con-
Quoted one of these ''gilded palaces of sin"
in Washington.
SUPPRESSION OF GAMBLING.
Almost at a single stroke rigid laws for the
suppression of gambling in the District of
Columbia were adopted. and the proprietors
of the palaces had TO pack their silverware
and gambling lay-outs and go elsewhere. For
several years some of the proprietors of gamb-
ling houses resisted the laws and sought TO
maintain the freedom in sporting" which
had formerly existed. But they made no
Roadway, and the law was finally triumph
ant in closing up all the public" gaming
houses. as they Were termed. But IN their
place scores of smaller establishments arose
surreptitiously. They were denominated
clubs and the object was set forth to be
social pleasure and mental Improvement. A
decision OF the courts IN favor OF tue