WAR ON THE GAMBLERS.

Mayor O'Brien Closes All the Gambling Rooms - General Gossip [Concerning] the Move - What the Sporting Men Say.

No more is the rattle of the faro chips, the whirl of the roulette wheel, and the shake of the dice in the box heard in St. Paul. No more is heard "last turn, gentlemen, four for one if you call it!" "Round the little ball goes; all down; double 0 by chance!" and "A nickel, dime or a dollar; you pays your money and you takes your chances; odd or even, red or black; are you all ready?; a raffle, by gum, and - nobody there!" For the mayor's edict has gone forth that no more gambling shall be done in the saintly city. Mayor O'Brien yesterday inaugurated his official action by ordering Chief of Police Clark to close up the gambling rooms and keep them closed. Notification was accordingly given to the keepers of the five gaming rooms on Jackson and Robert streets, and they were closed without resistance. Some thought the move was a gauzy show of official virtue on the part of the new executive, but others asserted that it was "for keeps," and the mayor intended to prosecute any one who violated his order. Various conjectures were indulged among the knots of sporting men who gathered about the streets, hotels and saloons as to the probable causes which led to the action taken, and the final outcome. It was said by a few that Mr. O'Brien had pledged himself to enforce the law against public gambling in the event of his getting the republican nomination, his political chances being somewhat doubtful if he failed. Others still thought that the temperance and religious element had strongly influenced his Honor. It was the opinion of many sporting men that the effect of the move would be to drive gambling still more into the hotels, where it has been carried on to a large extent, and into private rooms, saloons, and billiard rooms. Under concealment the unwary "sucker" could be plucked of all he possessed by the card sharps and brace faro dealers, who are always on the alert for just such opportunities. It's certain that the gaming rooms are closed tighter than a drum, and only the hotel poker games are in progress.

Keepers of houses of ill-fame are in great trepedation in consequence of reports that the new mayor would close them up permanently, but no move was made on them last night.

Mayor O'Brien's action is the talk of the town.