Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1905-01-14
COMMUNICATED.
ST. AsA?H.

sOmeOt the cltlZeDS OI AleNaDurla county,
a few of the citizens Of Alexandra city
and the Washington press will have the
proud satisfaction Of seeing their efforts
rewarded by a suspension, at least, OF
(in their estimation) every thing unlaw-
ful in the way of gambling charged by
the Commonwealth Attorney, includ-
ing almost every thing known to the
profession, except "stocks," which IS
recognized as legitimate way OF being
"done" out of your money. 1t Is
amusing to see what interest the press
of Washington takes in the affairs OF
A!exandris county. They, IN conjunction
with the Board OF Trade, for years sue
cessfulIy kept any legislation from being
enacted that would allow more bridges
to he constructed across the Potomac.
When the Mt. Vernon and Alexandra
electric road was seeking to enter
Washington they were opposed to their
coming in the District Of Columbia,
except by way of Georgetown, crossing
by means of bridge built on the
"Tbree Sisters" All this must have
been for purpose. in my opinion, to
keev Alexandria county lands that could
have been bought at that time for from 500
to 5000 per acre, coming in competition
with the lands that were on the other
side of the river, and have been promot-
ed during the past 10 years at fabulous
prices by citizens OF Washington and
others. Look at the vast amount or
money that is tied up 10 lands that have
had new streets extended, paved and
severed at the expense of Gn parD the
tax PAYERS and against the interests OF
what you might call "Old Washington, =
as is demonstrated by associations formed
for protection. Look at the vast amount
OF money that is loaned by the banks In
the city of Washington-'flty millions oil
dollars WhOare the borrowers? Two
recent failures show where some oil the
money was loaned.) 1t is hardly reason
able to think the merchants use any great
amount. Il is not the manufacturers,
for they will soon have to leave the
District, as the growing of roosters has
been ahated, and certainly II the powers
that be can succeed in that, they can
prohibit the smoke nuisance, even should
the factories have to close down and
leave the District. 1t is amusing to
most persons who are familiar with the
working of those associations that put
up the money that furnishes the sport OF
"Kings" Money kings such as Belmont,
Keene, Dwyor, Whitney and Others, who
are enabled by means of the authorities
winking al the violation of the laws OF
Congress and almost every State in the
union including the District of Columbia.
Itisa sell known fact, presume, that
the press of Washington knows 1t 10
against the law to wager money In the
District, yet at the same time they pub
lish the odds laid by the pencillers
on every horse that runs in the race
that is run in the presence of the police,
who arc presumed to do their
dutv, and AS no arrests are made,
it is reasonable to presume
they have their instructions as to
what their duties are. 1t is irdeed
amusing to see the system adopted by
these gentlemen, who have large sums OF
money invested in race tracks, and race
horses. would not dare to suggest that
the press is paid for it but for few
weeks in advance of the races TO TO held
at Benning race track, there will appear
in each of the Washington dailies an ar
ticle in the news columns describing the
coming event as one of the greatest in
the history of the track. As the time
draws near for the races the arrivals Will
be announced of the stables and how
many stalls have been secured by Mr..
so.and-so for his string Of horses.
Interspersed to nicely written story,
how Pittsburg Phil, or some other celeb
ritv, has run a shore string into banE
roll. The public in the meantime are
KEYED UP to concert pitch, saving
their money aud as was suggested by
one of these papers last fall mourniully
depriviug their families of the necessarie'
of life. keeping their creditors out of th'
money they owe, ato have few dollari
to see the sport of the money kings, thu
owners of the track, and TO contributetw'
dollars each day for the privilege; a
last the date comes for the ''sport, t
begin. Everything in Washington i
ablaze. flags are flying, automobiles tha
are shipped from New York by som'
some of those who contribute 81
much money to furnish the sport
are gliding over the smooth avenues ant
the road to the track and the thousand
OF those anxious to pay their 81 OO y
see the sport are hanging on the electro
cars en- route TO see the great events tina
have been heralded by the press. Some
of course, who are little better fixet
90 by way of the Pennsylvania Railroad
which costs 25c: all are headed the SAM
wav anxious and expecting to run
shoe string into a fortune. The day ha
come; the horses, jockeys and price,
posted, when, by pushing, crowdiug ant
cursing, you succeed in getting MI Gar
roll (wh1 by the way | think was rule'
off. Mr.. Thomkins or somebody else o
the so to 100 that pay s75 per day to
the privilege of accommodating the pub
lie (contributors), long enough time
given for all to get their money down
thew have the strength tohold out IN th
crushing crowd. At last there rings on
in the enclosure used as betting rim
s.Tbev'r re Off when for the first time thes
patrons OF the sport step out and see th
ponies run, and such a lot as was thsr