Connecticut western news., 1884-02-06
Kitchen Lottery Swindles.

We are glad to learn that the authorl-
 ties in this city have commenced crlmi-
 nal proceedings against the most insidu-
 ous and dangerous form of the lottery
 business yet devised for the purpose of
 swindling honest country people. We
 refer to the scheme adopted by several
 manufacturers of cheap and inferior
 goods by which prizes or tickets are
 given entltling purchasers to "a gift"
 if they chance to get a lucky number
 with the package bought. It is some
 what refreshing, however, to learn that
 recently the manufacturer of laundry
 soap, and also spice dealer, who in this
 way offered gifts to purchasers of their packages, have been arrested upon ln- dictments of the United States grand jury for lottery. swlndling and are now awaiting trial in this city. The latest candidate for criminal prosecution in this direction is the manufacturer of a baking powder, who is endeavoring, by a similar lottery trick, to palm off upon servant girls and unsuspecting house. keepers an article called baking powder, but which really is an alum compound of corrosive nature and detrimental to health. It is, therefore, really source of congratulation that the authorities have taken the matter ill hand for while all forms of lotteries are iniqui- tous, they are infinitely more so when made the aids to swindling, which profits ut the expense of the health of the poor and unwary. We are informed that this form of lottery is being not only peddled from house to house, but that, under the promise of larger per centages or profits than can be realized from the standard goods, the swindlers are entrenching themselves behind the counters of many grocers, by getting them to offer the objectionable goods with the prize tickets inclosed, thereby shifting the liability to prosecution, in a large measure, upon other and perhaps innocent parties. Every grocer or dealer, for instance, who sells or offers for sale any of this gift baking powder is criminal in the eye of the law and upon conviction ls liable to fine and Imprisonment. This is 0 predicament in which We do not believe our grocers will care to place themselves when aware of the fact, more especially now that the attention of the criminal authorities has been drawn to the matter
 Aside, however, from the criminal liability thus incurred, the immoral tendency of such a business is so great that it should be most severely denounced and discouraged by every one having the best welfare of the community at heart. The purchase of all article of food with gift ticket inclosed in this way is made to appear as triiing affair but it is no less immoral and an offense agalnst law than are the big lottery swindles which the government is trying to suppress. Besides, as every teacher of morality knows, it is the apparently trifing sins which are winked at where large ones would daze, that form the entering wedge to undermine the conscience and harden it for greater ones. We cannot believe that our business men will care to aid in any such swindles, nor that the people on their second thought will expect to benefit by purchasing baking powders, or what not, which may be offered under such suspicious circum- stances. s.-NeO Fork HadependenL