The Northern Star, And Constitutionalist

The Richmond Compiler states, that until within a few months, that city was more infested with professional gamblers and public gaming houses than any other in the Union, "with the exception perhaps of New Orleans." A short time since, the people of Richmond, after years of apparent indifference to this evil, were aroused to take measures to abate it. Regulations have already been adopted by the municipal authorities which have had a good effect, and it is anticipated that at the next session of the Legislature, defects in the existing laws of Virginia on this subject will be corrected, and thus the renewal of the nuisance be prevented. The Compiler says that the owners of these establishments and their dependents had become so emboldened by the toleration of the community, that they had "begun to regard their business as a regular and respectable employment; and instead of confining themselves as formerly, within their cells, and the alleys around them, were accustomed to parade up and down the public streets, in the face of magistrates, sheriffs and constables. They board at the most fashionable hotels, and drove through the streets in a style that none but the very wealthiest of our citizens could imitate."