The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-04-07
GAMBLERS IN CONTROL.
Reign Of LaVltssntss 10 Alexandra
County, Virginia.
CHARGE or CORRUPT USE OF HONEY.
Judge Chichsstcr's severe Arrangement OF
oniciaIs-Wbat Governor o'fer-
raj says OF tho co"di-
ton of Anairs Up
There.

page of Its space in descI'P ~" -
lawlessne.s said to exist IN Alexandra
county. in this State. The Star says;
r,awIcssness exists IN Alexandra oo"n-
~ Va 10 such a degree as 10 car 80. -,
county judge recently ~ 49,. H. ~.
from tho bench that there Was lno'e "
0ance Of law ia the little trct colr
.,as.S.d a. AIexandria county han IN any
49, 81 IKE Dimensions in the ot".V
Good citizens OF Alexandria county cur
800 interested IN the moral WclaIe u
,na ncople az well as the material pros,
nortfy of the county, nave muIniul -
for n long while against an 'uiii ~ 81 u
ton Of laws that permits the cohV'll""N.u
~ e,ch a state Of affairs; hey are 80"
,oitns, >,rnestlv for come means OF rid
d,ng the Virginia shore OF the curse tha1
has fastened Itself upon II.
I'VE vice that has been elected rom the
1,isfr,cf of Columbia has found a place,
aafe from interference by law once s. on
thas Virginia shore. The faro dealer 'le
pool seller. the policy sharp me thihlpie-
rfxger and all the brood OF DlachlesS'
have gathered there under the pro1oc'io.'
,semlngly. OF the county Vfiicers. AZ
every point easy Of access from WASH
ineson are located colonies OF the gam
bling fraternity, always ready TOT ousi-
C,tizens are beginning to ask why this Is
so More they are beginning 10 answer
the question for themselves. Ihere are
reports involving county ohlclals- IL -
opeuly stated that men who shouia pe
dning their utmost 10 drive tins inlquit-
one brood from the county, stand Nst-
lesslv by because there is more proht
10 them in inactiOn than there Woulu ue
I'm a vigorous enforcement OF the law II
is asserted also that political consineIa-
lions influence officials. for the gainDiins
fraternity, by the FREQ use OF money
control elections. Whatever the reason,
and many citizens who feel that the soou
name OF Virginia is at stake seem deter
mined TO learn what the reason Is. the
fact Is that there is a most disgraceful
state of affairs on The Virginia SIDE OF
the Potomac opposite Washington. IL Is
not at all surprising. under the circum-
stances. that county officials are heiu IN
suspicion.
on ALEXANDER ISLAM.
Nearest the city Is Alexander island.
The confession recently OF a poor book
keeper of one Of the legations here that
he had been introduced TO gambling IN
one of the dens at Jackson city ana had
then embezzled 5000 Of the legation iuods
in a vain effort to recover the lost
ground once again called attention TO
the character Of Alexander Island ard us
Inhabitants. 1t was only one case In
long series. People who understand
Alexander Island know we'll the terri
Bile menace TO the morality OF the city
its existence just across the river pro
vides. 1t Is presumed that the Governor
and other officials OF Virginia are also
well aware of the character of the place
and its frequenters. The law-abicing peo-
plea of Alexandria county have seemingly
about given up hope that any action OF
the State authorities Will afford them re-
lief from the thugs and cut threats who
make up a considerable portion of the
crowds that cOngregate at the race track,
those gambling hells and low drinking
places that are the leading features Of the
island. Some time ago there seemed
.pprsSth es'ss Sthe-river sport by re-an-
nexation 10 the District but the hope has
not been realized. Inc condition Of affairs
at Alexander Island, as well as at affairs
points on the river shore. is regarded by
persons acquainted with the county not
only as a crime against morality, but
also as a most serious obstacle in the
way Of material progress. The eXis-
tence of Alexander Island. with its de-
moralizing influences, has done more to
retard the development of the locality
than hundred months OF financial de-
precision
GATHERING TLAcR FoB CRIMINALS.
The police of Washington have an ac-
curate idea of the settlement across the
river. They know II as the gathering
place of criminals, as a spot where hard
ened crime can display itself and receive
applause. In their view Alexander Is
land serves some good purpose, for If a
criminal is wanted he can generally be
found somewhere in the neighborhood
of the Virginia end Of the bridge
Alexander Island is situated just OPP
poeite the city. one end Of the Long
bridge resting upon H. l. is separated
from the mainland of Virginia by Gravel
~ Creek. an ebbng and flowing arm OF
the Potomac. The place has become
known throughout the turf and sporting
circles of the country because of the os-
adjustment there Of the race track known
as the Old Dominion OF Alexander Island
track. The race track on Alexander IS
land is only one of the evils evisting
there. It's being a winter track Is the
drawing card, however, for a crowd of
hangers on. recruited principally from the
lowest of the criminal classes. The track
was kept open. except IN February.
throughout the winter. and the pleasant
sight afforded OF racing horses through
snow, sleet and mud. There might be
policy shops, gambling places. and cut
throat dives on Alexander Island with
out the race track. but there would not
openly defiant of the law
IL IL doubtless true that the manage
ment OF the tracks deplores the pres
ence Of the crowd Of tOughs. touts and
other terrors. but such classes are as
sure 20 congregate at a winter track as
a confirmed drunkard is to gravitate to a
saloon.
Long before the existence OF the Old
Dominion track, Alexander Island was
place that was an offence to decent peo-
pie. Jackson City has always been the
pride OF the island. Laid out many years
ago with imposing ceremonies and the
intention OF making Il q large city. il
had, after many years. included within
It's boundaries only few sheds and a
lone solitary tavern. where an occasional
prize fight was pulled off Then came a
day when Jackson City was born anew
The pool sellers. driven from the centre
OF Washington, had fed 70 the neighbor-
hood OF Seventh and the Boundary Rout-
ed out from that locality. they had pack
ca their baggage and taken possession
or Jackson City. The dreams Of the found-
or were realized. and there was a city at
the end OF the Long bridgc--but such a
city, IL IL the same city to-day There
the criminal ciase has established a head
quarter; there young men have taken
their iirst taste or gambling. there crimes
nave been planned; there murders corr
mittod; there homes have been Nrecked.
lives made desolate; there has been es-
taolished moral cesspoo that has en-
eulfed hundreds who intended only to
walk It's borders. and the inlasrnic breath
OF which sweeps the entire District.
Jackson CITY to-day IL unado ,,, - 90