The Van Buren press., 1896-07-25
MONTE CARLO BIhCkMAIlERS.
Keepers of the Gambling Resort IRE
quently yIetimized by sharpers.

MONTE CARLO BUACkMAILERS.
Keepers of the Gambling Resort Free
ouently yIetimized by sharpers.
According to the balance sheet is
sued by the great gambling company
of Monte Carlo, the fortunes of that
world famous resort are on the wane.
From paying a heavy and steadily adj
vancing dividend, the directors have
had to take step backward and cur
tail the annual Piekings of the stock
holders. One cause for this is that
the players have not made such mao
plunges as of yore. The men who lose
a fortune in single day over the
gambling tables have become rather a
rarity at Monte Carlo, while the players
who go in for steady game and stop
when they have lost so much money
have dropped off considerably. To their
dismay the directors discovered when
making out the balance-sheets for the
last wear that instead of an increase in
profits the eompany's receipts show
falling off of $4,000 as compared with
those of the previous year. This deficit
is accounted for to some extent by this
extreme sensitiveness of the Monte
Carlo officials. They prove an easy prey
for the Matchmaking fraternity, as they
will buy off anyone rather than have
stigma attach to the concern. This is
shown by the fact that in the balance
sheet the sum of $4,000 appears on
the debit side under the name of pub
licitv," or, in other words, money paid
to blaekmalers."
A goodly proportion of the money is
paid to the enterprising proprietors OF
matchmaking newspapers, which are
printed and published for the express
purpose of attacking Monte Carlo with
view to obtaining hush money.
They make a fierce attack on the
gambling center of the universe in the
first issue and keep it up with ever
increasing virulence until placed on the
publicity" of the Monte Carlo books
for a comfortable sum, the attack
ceases and thereafter the paper is pub
lished or is not published at the sweet
will of the proprietor. These pension,
ers on the publicity" fund are ever
increasing in numbers. The game is
such an easy one that it is impossible
| fer adventures to resist it, No wonder
that the profits at Monte Carlo vanish
into thin air.
An organized gang of blackmailers
recently repaired to Monte Carlo for
the express purpose of taking advan-
tage of bomb scare that was at that
time raging. Placing half dozen
! bogus "infernal" machines under the
walls of one of the chief buildings OF
the island, where they would be sure
to be found the following morning.
the conspirators awaited developments.
The machines were found, as intended
and an immense sensation ensued.
While attempts were being made to
hush up the matter along came the
blackmaiers and demanded S., 900, with
threat to spread the news of the "out-
rage" far and wide if payment was re-
fused Reports of an internal machine
at Monte Carlo would have cleared the
island of visitors in one day. Another
drain on the resources of Monte Carlo
| Is llt pay lllCHb VI lllOHtJ w
players, who might, if not provided with
sufficient funds to take them home
commit suicide on the grounds and
cause a worldwide wave of indignation
against the gambling institution. Under
the head of "The Vaticum," these pay
ments foot up in the balance-sheet to
$4,000. Here again the shrewd adyen-
turer victimizes the directors.
A player will jump up during the
progress of the games, clutch at his
hair, roll his eyes in frenzy, and shout
that he is ruined" THAT ends it for
mel" he will shrek as he makes a wild
dash for the door. He is intercepted by
one of the officials, who has visions of
the finding of suicides body in the
Monte Carlo grounds. The man is
| soothed the amount of his losses is
inquired into, and the result is that the
ruined individual, who has probably
been playing a mild game and has lost
| little, gets another start in life from the
Monte Carlo funds.
| But it is necessary for the Casino
people to protect themselves as far as
possible against this class of adven-
turers, and so an "army" and police
force are maintained, the expense Of
| supporting which costs the company
$4,000 a year.
With so many shady customers prey.
ing on the great gambling company, II
is no wonder that the profits of roulette
and trante-et-quarante are not so large
as the world thinks.-N. Y. Recorder.