The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1884-02-06
Kitchen Lottery SwindIes.

We are glad to learn that the authorities in
this city have commenced criminal proceedings
against the most insidious and dangerous form
OF the lottery business yet devised for the pur-
pose of swindling honest country people, We
refer to the scheme adopted by several manu-
facturers of cheap and inferior goods by which
prizes or tickets are given emitting purchasers
to "a gift If they chance to get lucky mum.
Der with the package bought. 1t is somewhat
refreshing, however, to learn that recently the
manufacturer OF laundry soap and also a
spice dealer, who in this way offered gifts to
purchasers of their packages, have been ar
rested 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 en-
deavoring, by 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 corro-
sive nature and detrimental to health. 1t is,
therefore, really source of congratulation
that the authorities have taken the matter in
hand; for while all forms of lotteries are in
iquitous, they are infinitely more so when made
the aids to swindling, which profits at the ex-
pense OF the health of the poor and unwary
We are informed that this form OF lottery is be-
ing not only peddled from house to house, but
that, under the promise of larger percentages
or profits than can be realized from the stand
ard goods, the swindlers are entrenching them
selves 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 Of
fers for sale any Of this gift baking powder Is q
criminal in the eye OF the law, and upon con
viction is liable to fine and imprisonment. This
is predicament In which we do not believe
our grocers will care to place themselves wheI
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
business Is 80 great that 1t should be most Sc
verely denounced and discouraged by every on,
having the best welfare of the community a
heart The purchase of an article of food will
gift ticket inclosed In this way ia made to ap
pear as a trifling affair; but 1t is no less i'm
moral and an offense against law than are tn,
big lottery swindles which the government 4
trying to suppress. Besides, AS every teache
of morality knows, 1t is the apparently triflin
sins which are winked at where large one
would daze that form the entering wedge +
undermine the conscience and harden 1t TO
greater ones. We cannot believe that our busI
ness men will care to aid in any such swindles
nor that the people, on their second thought
will expect to benefit by purchasing bakin
powders, or what not which may be offere
under such suspicious circumstances. Me-
York Independent.