The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-01-27
THE CITY SENATORS AND THE LOT.
Terry,


Terry.
Much curiosity has been expressed In the
city for the past two or three days TO know
how the city Senators will vote on the Lot
terry BILL Many rumors have been In circula-
tion which the DEMOCRAT has not given. for
the reason that they have not been traced TO
responsible sources and probably grew out OF
the uneasy feeling that has prevailed with re-
gard to this matter since the Senate sent the
bill 10 abolish the Lottery TO the Judiciary
Committee. As matter OF public interest at
this time we reproduce the views Of all but
two OF the new city Senators, expressed Just
before the last election and published In The
DEMOCRAT ON the twenty-fourth Of October
This publication lie of peculiar significance In
view OF the Lottery's very remarkable card
published In the Times and Hcayane yester-
day morning, In which the DEMOCRAT is
charged with attempting TO dragon Senators
Into D support OF the pending BILL to make
them prove false to their convictions and TO
cause them to do violence TO their expressed
opinions II may be stated once for all, that
this Ii false. The DEMOCRAT Ia Attempting
nothing OF the kind. What it has urged upon
Senators. and what It will continue TO urge
lg 70 be true to their constituents In this mEt-
ter, TO uphold their conscientious opinions
and 10 redeem their solemn pledges, especial
~ those made just before the last election.
That the public may know how the major
ity Of the New Orleans Senators felt upon
the subject Of the Lottery In October last, we
reprint the Interviews had at that time by q
representative Of the DEMocRAT with Sena-
tors Steven. Benners, kenner, Merkel and
Harding. Senators DeBouchel and Breaux
were not seen by our reporter, they being out
OF the city at the time.
Senator Steven was first interviewed upon
the Lottery question; he expressed himself
~ follows
Q.-What will be your policy, when elected, az
70 the monopolIes. especially the Lottery mo-
A.-To that question all / can answer IN a
general way is this: In the event OF my election
20 represent the First senatorial pistriet I shall
take my seat unpledged TO and In no manner
Jndsr opie@tions 10 any ring. monopoly or In
Q.-Rnt, But how about the Lottery II particular
no more ior or against the Lottery esrS than an an
In favor or opposed to the social evil. gambling
and kindred Institutions.
subsequently Senator Steven spoke more
clearly. A mass meeting Of his constituents
was called for the purpose Of securing the
views Of their Legislative candidates upon this
~ well rs other matters of public interest. Mr.. |
Steven was too unwell 20 appear In person,
but forwarded letter, which was read at the
meeting, and which was reproduced In the
DEMOCRAT the next morning the thirtieth of |
October. We give an extract from it bearing
upon the subject now In hand
]. By my acceptance and Enforcement OF the
Baton Rouge and New Orleans Platforms I ex.
press my opposition to all monopolies and laws
r n AZ 70 e interests S Of the state and
he Louisiana Lottery Company monopoly / |
sxpross my opposition to that as do to other
Some fsw, days. ago. when interviewed by. a
Meet. that was personally. and as member
ievinR them to have more or less demoraliz-
ne tendency. ana that considered them, as a
h Mn,ch e Be included n that class q
and which legislation for upwards OF
J century has been comparatively unable to
,sn,Iy rumcr that MAS IN sons e v way con- se
1ected with. or under the influence Of the Lot
cry Company. gladly avail! myself Of this
,RStcay that am not pn nor have e %eq BEEN e
with that institution In any way,
Ihape or manner.
6enAIOT benneTS, upon being approached,
himself as follows:
Rep; -Now We come to the question Of mo.
nR them. and particularly as regards the Lot
r. 4Sss remains y, e be seen, .s am not
Reo. VIII you not define your position as to
Rep.-My answer applies to all.
Senator Kenner was next approached. He
was not prepared to answer at the time, but
aid he would express his views in answer to
he DEMoCRAT's inquiries in the form OF a
etter. This he did. From that letter. printed
q the DEMOCRAT Of October "a, the following
Ixtract bearing upon the Lottery question Is
made:
During the eighteen or twenty years that /
represented acountry constituency In the State
&c the tour year years represented the then Sec
md Congressional District. extending. from
canal street to the lower extremity Ct the La
never have voted in all that time for mono
poly OF any kind. / have ever been and am
now, opposed to the granting OF monopoliee,
inlurious to the lnaterial interests or
70 the morals OF the community. II this can be
l,eeg s done by the LEGISLATURE 1 do not add
LIS last ptoNlso 70 cover any dF11ere pe7aSee. or
because OF any disposition to conceal any ulte-
ri l purpose; Ter am absolutely uncommitted
S,,h;e,t :, ~ " any one on this or any Qtper
"a a nu ohe has ever dared 70 approach me
lafvre has not the constitutional right to repeal
3 charter granted by previous LeCislatnre. N
It partakes of the nature OF a contract or Ia.
comes vested right by the SUBSEQUENT action of
the CONTRACTING parties. | have never read one
MORO OF the charters OF either the Slaughter
House or Lottery companies. not axpectinU IN
p JAILED upon to decide any questions relatine
thereto. Ny feelings with regard to both ~
these companies are very decided. but NV
wishes to repeal an obnoxious law and nv
riGnt as legislator to do 80. without some
oreacn OF contract ii contract there be. on their
part. Is very questionable. Do not understand
me that think either of these companies has q
vested right but understand. ia . general
way, from strea conversations that they claim |
Of the kind. think this claim il n |
lalr subject for Investigate n and subsequent
sctlon py The LEGISLATURE. However consider
saese questions as of an eminently legal and
!no,cial character. and have not given them
. decided opinion. -