The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1880-03-06
LOTTERIES.

Tho assertion that tho Constitutional Con-
ventlon was % impressed by the arguments
In favor Of lotteries that II determined TO
charter other companies has been fully dis
proved by the record, ID already cited Ia the
DEMOCRAT.
III euoh an impression existed, why did tho
Convention say THAT all charters shall cease
and explre On the first Of January, 1896 from
which time Ill lotteries are prohibited III the
Slater" Ia tn fact that this body Of men were
impressed BY tho arguments of "some Of our
most worthy and distinguished citizens and
moved by "tbe example of many Wise and
rood men III support Of lotteries to the belief
that such practices were not only innoouo,la,
but really devised for laudable aud charitable
objeots2
II ID impossible To reconcile this claim with
the fact that the convention absolutely pro-
hlbited lotteries after 1896. II tho Convention
had formed the high and exalted opinion Of
lotteries which latter day champions would
lead the public 10 believe, certainly 1t would
not have voted down tho proposition 10 grant
charters 10 any and oil persons making APP
pllcation therefor, and would not have pro-
vided for Kidding the State of tho business at
the earliest possible period.
The truth IL that the Convention elaborated
upon this subject under entirely different In
fiuences and conditions. Tho press of this
State, led by the DEMOCRAT, had conducted
an unrslenting war upon lotteries. denounc-
Ing the business ~ ''pernicious, /" Infamous"
"a blight and curse" ian immoral scheme"
" antagunistiu to modern civilization" -
practice tending to corrupt the public MORALS
"iebauohing the young and demoralizlng our
people," and ~ ~ business which tho en-
lightened public opinion u England and
America has stamped 40 immoral and
vicious"
Il WINS only when the Convention became
satisfied That the legal rights of the Louisi-
ana Lottery Company could not DO impaired
that II determined to conform 10 tho opinion
Of tho best legal talent In the Convention, but
In doing this, and thus preserving the reve-
nue. u the state. Tin no lesg emphatic terms
expressed dleapprobation Of the business.
Now We are told that II Ii too late to discuss
the moral phase Of this question. and that II is
idle TO say that the establishment of other
companies will aggravate the evil.
What was Infamous, pernieious. dehauoh-
ing and corruptins IN 1878 and 1879 has, by
some process, become business TO be fos-
tered, encouraged and spread broadcast over
the State
Because one lottery company exists and
one hundred agencies exercise their baleful
influence. ton companies and ono thousand
should food the city. Such arc
tho arguments with which tho advocates Of
unlimited lotteries seek TO secure support |
for their schemes.
A few month"; since any suggestions touch |
Ing the advantages derived by the charities
oil the State from the lottery hnHiness was |
promptly characterized ny borrowing "the
vices of hell To serve heaven with" Now |
all this II changed. and the whllom roar.
Ing lions blandly regale the public
with references to the connection Of some Of
"our most worthy and distinguished clti-
zens," and TO "the example OF many wise and
good men Ia support Of lotteries for such
m=m
We presume however. that the General
Will not be deceived by such argu-
men6 into letting loose upon tho community |
A horde Of advonturers to fleece our people.
II tho necessities Of the State require re-
sort To such resources ID order 10 maintain
charitable or educational institutions the
people are at least entitled to tho protection
and safeguards. which only careful and
rigid scrutiny Of the plans, purposes and
character of the managers seeking snch |
charter privileges can Rtve