The sun., 1900-08-12
a newcomer especially as a most pronounced

a newcomer especially as most pronounced
The bath over. the club members disappear
for dinner. rs the cafe only serves drinks, ices
and sandwiches a. the (ubans say;
Later In the evening the rooms begin 10 MI
up somewhat, but not 10 the extent of the after
noon. Sometimes there II a concert whch
draws the members together In large numbers,
for all Cubans are passionately fond or music
OF the highest character. In the old days
when Spain ruled a great deal OF gainbl,hg
was done in all the clubs but the reputable
the Americans assumed control and ordered
the enforcement Of the law against games Oh
chance; The Union Club, being the tnstitn-
the wealthie,t men on the island was the. scene
then OF some OF the most reckless stalking OF
fortunes that was ever ndulged In. The CuDans
enormous emo morn sS Ssne1s rsaponsbtss Mp are in no
way ashamed OF their suit OF tickle Iortune;;
1t does not hurt them in the business worlo ,ir.
and society does not condemn the pracu9Se, .S',
members passing the deal among themselves
Ordinarily the individual winnings in an eve
nhs hsn ran s0 ~ tbe @ no and rchest Of the
gamblers were met In battle $4,000 cr si5W
would change hands at single sitting On
rare occasions when some great dealer IRON ON
pockets bulgng with gold. won In gamDllhg
tour OF South American countries, he w9nld
be invited to sit in at the club table ana a. deal @
against the whole club A story Is told OF one
OF these wandering knights errant OF baccaTat
who dropped over $4,000 in one night at the
But these days are dead and gone now. The
Government Is frown!ng on the practice ana
money Is not as plentiful as in the days 9t yore;;
War robbed many Of the wealthy families M do0d OF
now. and II over those reckless DAYS come
again Il will be years hence when the lslana :
marvellous fertility shall have ssin again p,iedd papd
the enforcement Of Cuban laws shall be LETT
solely In Cuban hands.
=, The present nannaeement Of the club ISL, y IN
and Regis du Repaire de Truffin as Vice-Prest-
dent The latter Is particularly active In its
interests. and 1t is largely through his offices
that the club maintains its social and hnanc'ai
strength
At the beginning Of 1899 there was ar, effort
made TO organize a club for Americans but It's
nna It ss to For ase Sr as s6G
quarters for army Officers. but It gradually
deRenerated into furnished room house with
restaurant attachment and then failed al
together. There is German club also In
Havana, a highly reputable organization
upheld by the substantial German merchants
OF the city OF whom there are many. but II
OF the word. The same Is true Of the Spanish
Casino. which is semi-politcal In character;
and OF the various centros wherein are gathered
incses. and to which there are benefit attach
ments. As in New York. still other clubs exist
solely for gambling PURPOSES and this is we'll
recognized by the public, The police main.
tain that no evidence can be obtained against
them, but this assertion does not silence the
accusation that the judicious Use OF money
protects them. One Of them., 1t is asserted,
from Santiago for gambling. At any rate.
they run on unhindered and he who wishes.
II rroperlv introduced. can get his I'll Of gam
bling. With Cuba free from her shackles and
prosperity orenng IN for her. there will come
no doubt with the years increased activity. in