Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1867-02-22
CEDAR FALLS IOWA, FRIDAY. FEBRUARY %, 1857
Schemes--'rEeir Isnd Effect
Upon the peoplc-Rcmcdy.

To the Editor OF The Chicago Journal
The numerous schemes that have
been spread before the public in the adj
Nertising columns of our newspapers,
for the purpose of gross deception and
swindle, and their unbounded success,
so far as their propagators are coucCrn-
ed, speak in unequivocal terms the
stubborn fact that our statute books are
deficient in wholesome laws for the
punishment of this class Of imposters.
y cursury view of the magnitude of
some of these schemes, and the amount
of money that has been paid over 10
them 10y the people during the last
twelve months, will show what vast
sum has been contributed for their sup
port, with no material gain whatever to
the contributors. Had this money been
invested for benevolent, educational, or
religious purposes, there would now be,
by proper management, something to
show forit. Asitis, nothing has beenac-
complished eXccpt satisfying the avari-
clous and deceptive spirit of lot of
drones, who live off the community
through such an exercise of their cheat
ing characteristics. The unsuspectnr
are caught in the net spread for them,
aud only discover when too late that
enrich n set of knaves. 1t cannot be
expected that every generation and
every class of people should understand
or at once become familiar with all the
traps set for them by "the devil and
his angels Therefore, it becomes the
imperative duty of the statesman and
he reformer to make adequate laws for
| the annihilation of such satanic agen
cies. This is what he owes to his coun-
try and To his generation.
The effect OF these schemes is to dissi.
pate anu excite the mind of the people,
breeding dissatisfaction and un alieuu-
ton from honest and steady employ
ment, educating gam blers, and finally
leading the mind to covet and then
steal the property of Others, while paw
ing the way for many crimes and miser-
les. The influence Of these transac-
tions upon the public mind is consider
eel by all thinking and judieious men to
Gc demoraiizing. Some of the Govern
ments OF Europe, principally Prussia,
Knowing this fact, ARE abOliShing every
species oi lottery and gambling. Every
law tending to, advance industry and
honest labor is II tower of strength to
government. The want of potent laws
to prevent public and general ,ncour-
case with all lottery schemes, wcakens
government, and leaves ways open for
nn increase OF prodigality, sllftlessness,
and dishonesty among the people.
The remedy FOR this evil Is simple,
ana can be eifectually administered by
the Legislature; aud, after the expert
ence OF the past twelve month";, think
the people should demand il of that
body. "A fine of five hundred dollars il
the extent of the punishment by our
statutes. This is easily paid by getting
upaVery large enterprise. Let another
sctt!on be added as follows:
. " Ii any person shall vend. SELL or otherwise
dispose OF, any lottery ticket, ticket in any
CIV concert, art union scheme, or any enter
PRISE Whatever tending to the encou rag cement
VI EaliDilnR, Ior every Sncli tick et thus sold or
calised 10 be sold, either the principal or agent
Interested III SalI CitcnIe, both shall he
hned nity dollars, one half OF said fine going
10 the iniormct and the other half tn the State:
ahd either principal or agent shall return to
each purchaser of said tickets four times the
value paid for said tickets, 10 be recovered as
IN an action or ifGua and exccti Don 10 issue
against TIE body or property OF said principal
or agent ut The election OF said ticket holder at
any lime within five years from tho date Of
sale of said ticket"
This would prevent all such high
handed swindies and injurious trans
/ actions.