The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-06-25
Gift EniernriacN.


The swindling gift concerns have about had
their day. II was the last dodge" in the
line of public swindles, and has been wonder.
fully successful. The greatest Of them nil
was the Crosby opera-house Of Chicago.
That scheme offered the opera house, valued at
n million Of dollars, 10 the holder of the lucky
ticket that might win It. There was nothing
else save an engraving, a copy Of which was
given 10 each purchaser of n ticket. The
owner of the opera. house cleared 10y his own
account 100000, after buying, or pretending
10 buy, rs everybody believed, the opera
house back from the person who was said TO
have drawn it
In the moment OF the general desire OF the
people Of this State 10 raise means 20 give de-
Corous burial to thcremains Of Confederate sol.
dirrs, and also 10 provide funds TO support the
widows and orphans left by the war, applica.
tons were made to The Legislature of Virginia
10 charter two associations, whose object was
20 raise money, after the manner of the gift
enterprise for these oiccts. The applications
were sustained by the approval and appeals
Of prominent citizens OF Virginia, and both
passed the Legislature without question
asnost unanimously. The business and
active inCorporatorS TO both these as
sociations We're located in Baltimore.
One OF them soon began operations, estab-
fishing n branch in this city under the direc.
lion OF General RoSsER, that gentleman en-.
tcrng upon the undertaking with no practical
knowledge Of the business for il had grown
into a profession, and assoCiating with him i'm
it, management some of the most respectable
citizens Of Richmond. Very soon he held n
consultation with the directors, and the result
was a determination 10 abandon the whole af-
fair. 1t was plainly seen that the machinery
was complicated, its operations fun of danger,
and that none were likely 10 operate it suc-
C~cssinlly but the inscriptions gamblers who
had invented it, and so long filled their own
pockets At othor peoples expense. Whether
anything more was ever done with the charter
Uudcr which General RossER with so much
rraiscwOrthy zeal began operations we cannot
say.
The other character, in which 4 Mrs. MEARS
and a Mr.. PALMER and others were concerned
seems just 20 have come to an inglorious end
in Baltimore. On Friday a grand charita-
hIe gift concert was advertised by this
southern Orphan Association" ut Concor-
dia Hall, in Baltimorc-on which occasion
there was TO be a drawing of prizes, including
farms, horses, pianos, furniture, &c. The re-
sui was III tNplpSlOn-Iil utter ldlluIt-t
quarrel among the managers, and a law suit.
The farms Were not paid for. and, together
with all the large gifts, were ~omitted-only
10000 tickets being sold of the 10000 proposed
- be sold. Tn scheme was reduced, and the
money for the reduced scheme is now in seve-
raj hands, aud will possibly all disappear be-
fore the lawyers and the courts are done with
the parties.
On the testimony Of Mrs. JoHS J.. HAMMOND,
m" President of the Association, the Grand
Jury. Friday, found presentments against the
firm Of PALMER y Co. for violating the laws of
ihr State Of Maryland prohibiting lotteries.
Thus ends the southern Orphan Association.
N.ssrs. DAVIES SuNs, At one time agents for
this concern in this city, concciving 4 timely
dlstru>'. held all the money for which they
sold tickets, and rfundcd 10 the purchasers.
This ought TO Ice q good lesson to the public
ON the subject of the gift" business. Hum
hugs Of this character must run their course.
People never can b" UndcCciv"d until they are
deceived TO their entire satisfaction. 1t is
about tim" they were satisfied