The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-05-22
MUCH GAMBLING AT THE CAPITAL
Wonderful stories of After the War.
Pastime Stili Kept Up-- senator
Woicott's Clever Play Against a
TabiefuI of sharpers Who slipped
Up on One Calculation.

seat In the mouse 1Or tne nrSt time.
He was not included in the committee
of twenty-five appointed by the speak
er, but he secured transportation and
went over to New York on the train
that carried the congressional party.
The idea of going to New York was
a pretty big one to him, and several
days before the time set for the Jour
ney he consulted with friend--a news
paper correspondent--as to what prep
arations he should make. He was ad-
vised in the first place to get new
suit of clothes, as those which he wore
every day in the house might be all
right outside of New York but when
he visited that city he ought to appear
like a statesman.
He took the advice, and. ordered a
brand new suit of broadcfoth, which
was cut on the approved Prince Albert
style, and purchased a silk hat OF the
latest block. AS the train was being
made up Mr.. Populist met his news
paper friend and thrusting his hand
into the breast of his new coat, he
puffed out his chest in the most ap-
proved statesmanlike manner, and in
quired:
well. what do you think of me?'
ooh, you are learning" responded the
newspaper man.
Very much pleased with himself, the
Populist boarded the train and found
himself well taken care of. He was in
troduced around and had a very good
time. With a little coaching he made
no very glaring blunders, although he
had to be led into the dining car when
dinner was announced, as he had no
idea where it was.
The course dinner was somewhat of a
revelation to him, but he got along
very well. lie glanced at the first
glass of champagne that was filled at
his elbow, and supposed that he was
receiving a good old farmer treat, a
draught of sparkling cider. He took a
mouthful of it, gulped once or twice,
and then drained the goblet.
This, too, was a revelation to him.
But he was determined to keep up with
the procession. On his glass being
charged agair, he lifted it up, and,
calling. over to his newspaper friend
who was at another table, he shouted:
you see, old man, 1 am learning
LEARNED" POKER ALSO.
He succeeded in passing through the
experience of New York city with
comparative safety, and was one of the
party that returned to Washington
on Wednesday. To pass away the time
of the five hours trip some of the
congressman got up a little game of
poker. Mr.. Populist looked on for a
few minutes and then said that he
would like to take hand, as he wanted
to run the whole gamut of a congress
sional junket. He said he wanted to
"learn."
The other congressman were not
loath to admit a green hand into the
game, and Mr.. Populist sat down. The
game lasted until the party reached
Washington, when it was found that
the new member not only had all the
cash there was on the table, but sew
eral fat l. Q. US from the experienced
statesmen who had admitted him into
the game. Pocketing his winnings he
once more turned to his mentor and
said:
well, old man, I believe I have
learned"
GAMBLING AFTER THE WAR.
Some of the old members of the
house and senate. when in a reminis-
cent mood relate wonderful stories of
Washington in the old days Immediate
ly after the war. They tell of the
magnificent gambling palaces that
were then open and known to all men,
and relate interesting and wonderful
stories of the fortunes won and lost at
faro, poker and other games.
They still point to old-fashioned
buildings on Pennsylvania avenue and
at points near the center of the city
that were occupied by poker clubs and
regular gambling outfits not more than
a quarter of century ago.
The old house which was kept by
John Morrissey stands within two
doors of The Press Bureau. Old tim
ers delight to recount the magnificent
suppers which were served to the pat
rons of this place, and they tell Won
derful yarns about the recklessness
with which wealthy senators and rep
resentatives night after night risked
their money on a turn of card in this
resort.
The laws of the District of Columbia
have been changed since those days
and there are no longer public gamb-
ling houses conducted in Washington.
The laws, however, have not killed the
propensity of congressman to indulge
in games of chance and hazard There
are plenty Of private clubs, of which
government officials and congressman
are members, where the congressional
sports can still indulge their passions.
They are conducted very secretly, how
ever, and one never hears nowadays
of Senator So and So dropping $1O,-
900 last night" or Mr.. Blank, winning
a years salary at one sitting at faro.
1t is reported, and 1t is possible an
investigation would prove the correct
ness of the rumor, that certain high
priced and exclusive hotels in the city
have accommodations for statesmen
who wish to indulge in a game of
draw-poker as a relaxation from their
very trying official duties. 1t is not
known, however, that any very large
games are played but at least a dozen
well known United States senator's
could be picked out who know the
value of fun hand" or who have had
experience with the "bobtail flush"
SENATORIAL POKER COTERIE.
Some years ago. a coterie of United
States senator's were in the habit of
meeting every few evenings at one of
these hotels, and some pretty stiff
games were played. The members OF
the poker party were prominent in the
management of the affairs of the sem
ate, and II has been said that If the Sc
crets of the private room I'm that hotel
could be. revealed II would be found
that the fate of many important meas.
uraS was sattIad after the syap,a hoa