The New Orleans daily Democrat., 1880-03-25
A LOTTERY rAooT.

A distinguished Senator. In the course OF
debate yesterday upon the general lottery
bill, advanced tho proposition that large
number Of lottery concerns were necessary
IN order TO lessen the influence of tho Louiai-
ana Lottery Company; that when the buai-
ness should be divided between y number
~ companies, u would then become nn easy
matter for tho State 10 destroy them all. In
support or his argument tho distinguished
Senator referred to tho fable of "the father
and His sons," claiming that tho lottery
sticks could likewise ba easll, broken one by
ono. Let us glance at tho fable moment
nnd discuss It's application In another light
from that contemplated BY tho honorable
Senator:
THE rArnEn AND u1s SONS.
A father had d family Of TonH who were per-
petuA,ly uunrreIinx among themselves. When
tloua ha dctermined 70 give them II practical
illustration of the evils Of disunlon. md tor
this pnrpoae he one day told them TO bring him
placed the fnxot into tho hands Of ench Of them
tn succu~Aion and ordered ,hom to break II into
= They each tried with all their strength. and
were not abba TO do IT,. Ho next Enclosed the
fagot aud took the .@tleks separately. one by
op.. and again put them into the!r hands. on
drerr Cd them In these words: my cons, II you
are of pne mind and unite TO- nssist eaoh other.
you will be as this fnRot-- uniniurod by oil tho
attempts Of your enemies: but Y you nre d.
vlded among youreelvss. yoa will DO broken na
easily AZ these sticks"
Now. for the sake Of the argument, sup
pose tho general lottery bill passes the Cen
eral Assembly. and each party TO the combi-
nation representing the Kentucky. New York,
Ma ,1n,,d Hnu n Ian
Incorporate Hereunder and carry on lot
hrv business. making New Orleans the CEN
tral headquarters. and under the broad seal
OF Louisiana. they extend operations
throughout tho length and breadth Of the
United States.
Say proposition IL then made to COM
menoe breaking the sticks. or the time ap-
proaches when all lottery charters or prlvi-
lcxes are prohibited by the constitution, and
All amendment to the constitution is required
to enable tho various parties to continue busi-
ness.
Suppose III tho face of common danger.
tho Louisiana Lottery Company and all
these other companies should bethink them
selves Of the distinguished Senator'S fable,
and conclude to "be Of one mind and unite to
assist each other.r and. by binding tho six
lottery sticks together Into ono strong and
powerful lottery fagot, would they not,
thus united. be more certain to accomplish
Lhair object of securing an amendment to tho
constitution than tho ono stick now In exist
,nce. .@@..s
This contingency would not be ut oil I'M
because. when once general bill
laa been passed and goes Into practical
operation. there then becomes community |
Il interest between all parties carrying on
Tho business; they need fear no danger except |
rom tho law making power Of tho State. and
hey will naturally avail themselves Of the |
,ame power OF combination TO prolong their |
existence that they are now exertinG to &C. |
,ure IL.
Upon this point We presume no one dis
,utes tho fact that powerful combination.
several different lottery inter-
ats, with largo means and powerful SUP
bort. are exhausting every device known 70
he modern lobbylst to pass the bill In ques-
ion. and It seems to US II there be any force
u tho distinguished Senator's argument
hat the present company may endeavor to
,ass an amendment to the constitution. II
would apply with six-fold effect to a contin-
fonoy that would most certainly occur
'hould the bill pass.
Tho argument advanced, that there arc just
70 many lottery tickets sold. and that the
Iddition Or more companies would simply |
esult In dividing out the business without
It. ts simply puerlle. Every one
inows that In ordinary pursuits competition
,egets trade, but In this business the varied
novelty Of devices, combtn ations
md games OF chance which may be carried
N under this bill. coupled with the activity |
md zeal attending competition. would vastly |
Increase tho mania for play throughout tho
state.
There is etill another phase OF this question |
which demands consideration at the hands Of
.entlemen assembled to leRlslate. rs they
ave sworn to do. for the welfare Of Louis
ana. Some surprise has been exhibited that
o many companies from every section Of the
ountry should suddenly desire to establish
nd carry on a lottery business In louisiana
This is no matter Of surprise when we reflect
hat company once chartered by the State
i Louisiana obtains contract which cannot
% impaired for fifteen years, and under which
hey can pursue their business In almost
very State In the Union.
50 that, whilst Louisiana will be the direct
ufferer from the depredattons Of class
vhich is condemned by the civilized world,
nd by the very Senators who vote them
rivilege still the whole country must suffer
Ike inillction. The consequence will be