Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1884-02-13
Kitchen Lottery Swindles.
New York independently

We are glad to learn that the authorities
III this city have commenced criminal pro.
ceedings against the most insidlous and
dangerous forms of the lottery business
yet divsed for the purpose OF swindllng
honest country people. We refer to the
scheme adopted by several manufacturers
Of cheap and inferior goods by which
prizes or tickets are given emitting pur-
chasers to "a gilt If they chance to get
lucky number, with the package bought.
1t is somewhat 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
indictments of the United States Grand
Jury for lottery swindling, and are now
awaiting trial in this city. The latest
candidate for criminal prosecution in this
direction Is the manufacturer Of baking
powder, who Is endeavoring, by similar
lotter trick, to palm off upon servant girls
and unsuspecting housekcepers an article
called baking powder, but which really IS
an alum compound Ola corrosive natures
and detrimental TO health. 1t Is, there
fore, really source of COngratulation that
the authorities have taken the matter in
hand; for while all forms of lotteries are
inquitous, they are infinitely more so
when made the aids of swindlng, which
profits at the expense Of the health Of the
poor and unwary. We arc informed that
this form of lottery is being not only
peddled from house to house, but that,
the promise of larger percentages or
profits than oan be realized from the
standard goods, the swndlors are en-
trenchins themselves behind the counters
of many grocers, by getting them to Offer
the Objectionable goods with the prize
tickets inciosed, thereby shifting the liza
blity to prosecution, in large measure,
upon other and perhaps innocent parties.
Every grocer or dealer, for instance, wh0
sells or offers for sale any Of this gift
baking powder is Il criminal in the eye of
the law, and upon conviction is liable to
fine and Imprisonment. This is predlca'
mcnt in which we don't believe our grocer5
will gore 10 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 la
bility thus incurred, the immoral tend
ency OF such 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 an ARTICLE Of food with gift
ticket incloscd in this way is made TO APP
pear as Il trining affair; but it is no less
immoral and an offence against law than
orc the ,bip lottery swindlcs which the
Cove nment is trying to suppress. Be-
sides, as every teacher of morality knows,
it is the apparently triaing sius which are
winked at where large ones would daze,
that form the entering wedge to under
mine the conscience and harden IL Tor
it for greater ones. We cannot Deheve
that our business men will care to aid IN
any such swnLles, nor that the people on
their second thought will expect to bene-
lit by purchasing baking powders, OF
what not, which may be offered nndel
such suspicious circumstances.