New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-04-18
WHIST AS A GAMBLING GAME.

Most people, we believe, consider whist NOR
ally unobjectonable game. In fact, many who
disapprove Of other card games find whist both
harmless and pleasant. 1t is. moreover. a game
that has thus far been played simply for amuse-
ment and not for gambling. For this reason
people who would regard with horror an invita-
ton to play the fascinating but morally danger
Gus game Of poker would take hand in whist
without qualm Of conscience. We believe that
until now the only danger connected with whist
has been the propensity of few benighted in
dividuals to indulge in the atrocity known as
'bumblepuppy." A devotee of 'bumblepuppy'
is, of course hopeless intellectually. but not
necessarily n transgressor Of the moral law.
We said that thus far whist has not been open
to objection on moral grounds, except, perhaps,
with a few good people who think any game
bad if it is amusing their theory Of life being
that the more miserable you make yourself the
happier you ought to be. But IL wo may credit
our exchanges in this State, as well as in New
England and some Western States, whist has NJ
last become a gambling game, and, alas that
we should have to say it. this deplorable result
has been brought about by women. 1t seems
that the gentler sex in various parts Of the coun-
try has become inordinately fond of the game
a fact in itself most remarkable; for the very
name of the game, Whist" has always seemed
TO woman a somewhat curt challenge Of one of
her dearest rights 1t is not whist in its original
purity. however, that has now captvated the
women. but whist with gambling attachment.
Throughout New-England especially. and in a
measure in this State Also there are in almost
every large town whist clubs largely composed
of women that meet periodically and play whist
for money prizes Ii is true that. n rule, the
prizes and the admission fee. If there Is one, are
generally devoted TO religious or charitable uses.
But morally that is no justification. if gam
bling is intrinsically immoral To call the stake
a prize and offer it to the Lord after the game
Is over will seem TO most people like whipping
his satanic majesty around a stump. At least
that is the opinion OF the Womans Christian
Temperance Union In various ewEngland
towns; for II has emphaticaly condemned play
ing whist for prizes. But so strongly have these
prize whist clubs taken hold Of the women that
they pay no attention to protests. In many
cases they become so absorbed In the pastime
that they give to 1t the time that properly be-
longs to their household and social duties
We shall not here indulge in any homily on
the evil of gambling. 1t Is vice which cannot
be justified even by those who indulge in H. So
the homily may be taken for granted, or sup
piled by the reader. But we do want TO say a
word in protest against the prostitution OF the
noble game of whist II the dear creatures
must raise money for their church by playing
some game for money, why don't they play
"mumbety-peg," or "tiddledewinks"? Or, II they
want to do something real reckless, there Is
poker. But TO take whist and turn It into n
gambling game, really, II is too bad. Even the
"bumblepuppy" fiend couldn't do so cruel
deed. In fact, he never hurts the game because
he never plays 1t. There is just one possibility
that gives us hope. Perhaps the game the good
women are playing with such abandon Is not
whist at ALL but something they call whist II