Delaware State journal and statesman., 1861-10-25
a cAT IN TIE MEAL LAG.

CAT IN THE MEAL BAG.
AT last we have a Proclamation" Of our
venerable Chief Magistrate. With most of our
readers. we have some indislinot remembrance Of
lime when this functionary was importuned to
cnll special meeting Of the Legislature for
purposes which we then believed far more press
ing than have inspired the present call. There |
was an unprecedented crisis in the history of oui
U 'untry and State. Armed and savage rebellion
'''s we're beeaguring the Capitol of the nation,
and as loyal people, We felt like doing our
share for its defence. Our noble young men
volunteered for that work, aud like other States
with history less brilliant than our own, we were
anxious to see the State coming forward to clolhe
and equip our soldiers. The Governor was i'm
portuned to convene the Legislature for the
purpose of making such provision. But to oil
such requests there came an emphatic no and
our regiment was shamefully thrown on the
uncertainties Of private subscription, and went
into service half provided for.
Soon after the meeting of Congress in July,
an act was passed imposing direct tax OF
twenty millions upon the people of the Republic
We have, until now heard nothing Of cOnyenng
the legislature to take action on this subject
though il would have been quite as proper two
months ago as now. We suspect the fullness of
time had not come.
The Ostensble object of calling together the
legislature in special session, is to arrange for
the assessment aud collection of the national
tax. This is well. But we wish to cali special
attention to single clause in this very tardy
Proclamation, which may bear thinking over a
little.
The legislature is called to meet "on Monday
the twenty.ffth day of November next, for the
purpose of deliberating upon and adopting such
measures in reference to the subject matter to
which have alluded, and to such others of a
special character, as, in their judgment, may be
expedient and necessary for legislative action
before the next General Assembly" Now, we do
not mean to be hypercritcal nor meddle-
some, when we ask, what g other measures Of a
special character" are here alluded to by Gov.
Burton? What special subjects for legislative
action, not specified in the Proclamation, are
likely to come up ut this unusual session Per
haps the Chief Magistrate in the fullDess of bis
benevolence, has it in his mind to suggest some
action to meet the exigencies which failed to be
met by reason of his doRged refusal to convene
the legislature in May If so that also may be
well. But still, try how we will to suppress it,
our curiosity is up to know what these "matt,ys
Of a special character" are that may call for
Legislative action before the meeting of the
next General Assembly, From what we hear
and see we are not alone in the Indulgence Of
this, perhaps, idle curiosity. The people gene.
rally feel anxious to know mere about it.
For some time past it has been rumorcd about
that certain gentlemen are moving 10 re establisl
the lottery system in our already lottery ridder
State. We do not pretend to any very reahl,
information on this subject but we hear tb
thing talked Of as one of the looming events.
l. 1t has been stated in the newspapers, and WI
Il are told that the printing office is being itC,
l. up, the material is being put in order and tn
= tickets will soon he before the public
IS Now we must beg pardon for expressing ou
{ anxiety to know whether the re-establishiDg q
. this gigantic system of swindng, crime an
pauper'making is one of the "matters Of
special character contemplated in the Prccla
3 nation of our Governor? We are anxiou
to know how the lottery gambling business Is t
be commenced anew in this city mud State with
out new legislation. Can privileged gontlemei
override our State with their abominable busi-
ness, and set at defiance our laws and the mora
sentiment of our people to fill their Golfers! l
not, how comes it that the Lottery business is tt
revived? How, we ask, without some enablin.
act by Legislature? And when is that act to h,
passed? Perhaps these gentlemen from anothe
State, who forfeited their charter by failing l.
pay their instalments, are to venture upon til
experiment of business without law, and wal
h for an er post tdcto law at a future time Bu
10 will not the people be apt to interfere with sue
ID a convenient family arrangement
e. The truth is, the re establishment of such a
n iniquitous business in this State Is matte
,r which the people cannot and will not allow
be quietly inaugurated. 1t is a question i
which every one is interested-a question
e public concernment, and for public discussion
'r And that business ought never peaceably to |
,e allowed to pass into reality, by any act of Ii
i legislature.
II We wish to be understood, We do NJ
~ know that any scheme or plan is on foot to ste
1t the march upon an unsuspecting people, by rusl
'e ing another lottery bill through the legislatur
at its special session. But the last clause in Il
Proclamation is little foggy, not to say susp
9 cous, and we should very much like a little MOI
Of light and ventilation. Let us know, if it /
possible, what is going to be done besides ii
Mt main "suhject matter to which have alluded!
Of Let the people watch all these things and if an
y thing interesting is to come off at Dover ne1
Is month, let us all have part i'll it,
D.