Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1884-01-15
4 LogTBRY.RIDDBN COMMUNITY

A New Orleans correspondent of the New
York T.me2 tells the story of the Louis
lana lottery power and assails the gigantic
evil with oommendable vigor. The struggle
between Postmaster enersl Gresham and
the lotteries invests the subject at this time
with more than ordinary interest.
Louisiana is termed "a lottery.ridden
State, aad there is scarcely any question
that the designation is properly applied.
The lottery is about the worst and most
demoraGzjng form Of gambling known. It's
vice resides chiefly in the fact that the
gaming is secret. In most other forms of
gambling there is the liability to exposure
OF the personal gambling habit. a widely
scstt red chentage, and the improbability
Of victims being able to discover frauds.
or if they discover them, the greater i'm.
probability of their making the knowledge
public, affords the lottery manager the
broadest possible opportunity to swirdle
his dupes, and that it is freely awaited OF
is a weii-known fact
1t w'l be seen, therefore, that the re.
fusal Of the Postmaster G eneral to permit
me mails TO he made the medium for this
neisrious business ia in the interest of the
weak and foolish, for it must be assumed
that only such vii. intrust their money to
total strangers, and upon the barest posi-.
bic chance OF receiving in return dispro-
poraouate reward for its investment But
someone has bluntly said that it is the
duty OF Governments TO save the fools
from the folly Of their own acts in many
cases, as well as to afford the discreet pro.
lection against the vicious
However. General Gresham's battle is
beng made upon higher plane-he op
poses tbe lotteries because from She ground
mp they are bad. and without \ solitary
redeeming feature. No possible Legislative
Endorsement, whether it be that of Louisi
ana, Kentucky, or Of the Federal Govern
ment it:eli, can inv5s. the business will
decoacy or make l. other than debasiD,
and ruinous 20 its patrons and the commu
nifty in which CONDUCTED. Beside the or
dinsry lottery tho faro bank is a patterr
Of propJiety and right conduct. and tn,
harm it works is insignificant compared t.
the results of the lottery fever.
In Louisiana, We are told. the loster,
power is simply enormous and overpower
ing 1t has grasped The State by tn,
beard and dominates nearly all the depart
ments, fortifying itself behind corruption
and bribery before which the ordinary DO
Hticsl corr lpsionist would shine as AT
angel of light. 1t never was a leeitimat,
creation Of the State-it exists upon tn,
bare bones of its asserted lawful birth ane
guaranty. So powerful is thls great agenc,
that it controls conventions, directs politi
cal action, puts up and pulls down men
and defies any one to the task Of crushin!
it. State, city and parish officials are it
announced agents, and even one of thu
staff of the Chief Executive parades a
Its spousor. The press of Louisiana i
singularly silent before this power, anc
even the pulpit, save in rare instances, ha
no condemnation for robbery by lottery
It is the one overshAdowing, terroriziDl
and ruling force.
OF course, in such q community, ther,
cannot easily be convened Legislature
that dares to asssii the evil, and for the
matter of that. the lottery lobby is de
scribed as SO watchful, so strong and Sc
terrible in its wrath that it is able to de.