The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1898-11-27
Unique Scenes in What They Call
the "Madhouse."
GAMBLING IS UNlVFR SAL
The Soldier Boys Have Two Great Pas
times Problems Which Confront
Government and Army Off
Gals The Profits.

moralists, but are the source of constant
worry and care to government and army
officials. Their retention as cardinal fea-
lures of soldiers life seems in many re-
spects a stigma upon a Christian govern
ment. Their abolition would involve not
only endless trouble and arouse much dis
content, but would necessitate the creation
and substitution of the something better"
which blocks the reformers path. Laying
aside the moral and economic aspects of
the question a few facts relative to both
may be of interest
Gambling is universal in all grades of
army life. Out on the sandy wastes of Ar
izona deserts, down on the monotonous
praires of the Indian territories, in the
sumptuous clubs of Washington and New
York or in the hot tents of humid Cuba 1t
is peculiarly the alluring pastime of the
brass buttoned boys and men. The isola-
ton of the officers at the western posts
seemingly drives them to that which the
traditions of their vocation has further
made their natural game" 1t must be re-
membered that all social intercourse be-
tween officers and men in the regular army
is absolutely interdicted. There will be at
most ten or twelve officers; they are usual
ly miles removed from railroads and Leagues
CUES from the appurtenances of civilization.
Gambling gives the stimulus which the
theater, the club, the drive, the races and
the pursuits of a quasi-leisure class afford
in the cities. Army officers are not book
ishly inclined. But few of them are given
to scientific Investigations or are artistical-
ly inclined Horse and gun, hunt and hur-
die and then cold bottie-or hot toddy-
and a pack of paste boards. Emerson once
xxhiC collection
inanities. Army poker players could
scarcely be so characterized for there Is
no monotony in sorting pairs or drawing
to "bobs." As one devotee of the game put
it, "There are two great pleasures IN tne
world for me: one is winning some fellows
money and the other is having some fellow
win my money.
But 1t is among the enlisted men that the
passion reaches its ebb. On the morning OF
pay day such fortunate men as are run
ming a game" get out all their appurten-
ances and prepare to open up. Some build
ing usually in the rear of the quarters. Is
tacitly dedicated to their use. twenty
minutes after the men are paid things are
in full blast, and one can scarcely get TO
the tables.
The crush will last for two or three hours,
: bdt the games run on all night and are
resumed after drill the next day and kept
up until everybody but the gamekeepers
are broke.
Nine out of ten men in the army gamble;
four out of five lose. Anybody can open a
game, but there are but few who ever
get together a sufficient stake to do so.
There are men in every regiment yes,
every company or troop, who get rich in a
few years. But they always behind
the game'-never in front OF II.
There is a general order in the army reg
ulations prohibiting gambling, but 1t Is a
dead letter. Were it enforced surreptitious
gaming would ensue-and there you are
So the officers wink at it and 1t goes mer-
rily
Mexican monte is the most popular army
game 1t has been acquired from the
festive yauuero out on the border between
this country and Mexico. Mexicans and
cow-punchers and ranchmen all journey to
the forts about pay day and many wild ana
vivid yarns are told OF their heterogeneous
combats Chuck-a-uck, draw and stud
poker and roulette also come in for much
attention.
recent dispatch from Santiago de Cuba
SAYS that General Leonard Wood, the mill
tary governor, has determined to put a
stop TO gambling. He is framing law for
that purpose and will impose fine OF SOU
on the first offender. If he succeeds he VIII
do so where many able disciplinarians nave
signally failed. singular fact lies In that
+he volunteer army caught the fever in a
malignant form. 1t had not been In camp
month before 1t had acquired all the
gaming habits of the regulars. Boys ana
mon who in civil life would not enter a
the avidity of pool-room touts.
The canteen presents all the ordinary
yexed problems of liquor regulation anu
throws in few more for good measure: IN
the isolated forts it's abolition gives birth
70 numerous and daring boot-leggers. whom
the high profits induce to unusual risks
If near a city the men spend their money
in saloons. Nothing but beer, SOFT drinks
and cigars Is sold in the canteens But
beer does the work pretty we'll And then
there is the great question OF prohts. AL
the earnings of the canteens are supposed
to go to the promotion OF a company Oh
troop fund, which Is to be USED IN guy ~ =
delicacies for the table, and In certain
emergencies the profits are enormous. Inc
writer knows of one case at western lot
where two companies of 100 men each were
stationed. The teamsters. etc., Drousnt .Ii'
whole number to about 275, which, barring
an occasional cow-man or mover repre-
scented the total patronage OF the canteei
Nothing but beer-not even clgars-Wa
sold. The profit on a bottle OF peer wa
49, cents and the total profits Tor on
month was 81 $50. Five dollars montf
per man profit means he spent $40, and tn
facts sustain this. Many were in DEBT 10
six months pay in advance. This is no
unusual, as any regular army man or ONCE
will testify.
These profits are placed in the hands o
the company commanders. 1t is presumed
they are always properly used, but the sy .
tenn of accounts renders 1t impossible 10
anybody put Inc cohiPoi,y
saw. He has the funds and distributes
them as he sees fit and that ends the mat
ter
There is nothing on earth which quite ap
proaches the scene In an army canteen oil
and around pay day. Bedlam turned loos'
Is mild 1t is properly termed the mad
house" There Is less brawling and fighting
than there would be in civil life, but tn
noise and shouting and language and horse
play make it unique
Brooklyn's Baby Gorilla
From New York Dispatch.
Coddled in blankets like a child and wit