The Press., 1884-02-21
KITCHEN LOTTERY sw1ND1Es.-We are glad

1
 KITCHEN LOTTERY Sw1NDLEs.-W are glad to learn that the authorities in this city have commenced criminal proceedings against the most insidious and dangerous form of the lot tery business yet devised for the purpose of swindling honest country people. We refer to the scheme adopted by several manufac- turers of cheap and inferior goods by which prizes or tickets are given entitling purchasers to "a gift" if they chance to get lucky num- Der with the package bought. It is some what refreshing, however, to learn that re- gently the manufacturer of laundry soap, and also a spice dealer, who in this way offer ed 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 lat est candidate for criminal prosecution in this direction is the manufacturer of @ baking powder, who is endeavoring, by similar loS- tery trick, to palm off upon servant girls and unsuspecting housekeepers an article called baking powder, but which really is an alum compound of corrosive nature and detri- mental to health. It is, therefore, really source of congratulation that the authorities have taken the matter in hand; for while all forms of lotteries are iniquitous, they are in- fnitely more so when made the aids to swindl- ing. which profits at the expense of the health of the poor and unwary. We are informed GnaC 10TH OI lottery IS De1AS uot Ou1y peuueu from house to honse, but that, under the promise of larger percentages 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 large measure, upon oth
 CT and perhaps innocent parties. Every gro cer or dealer, for instance, who sells or offers for sale any of this gift baking powder isa criminal in the eye of the law, and upon con- viction is liable to fine and imprisonment.
 This is a predicament in which we do not be
 lieve 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. :, 1 Aside, however, from the criminal liability. thus incurred, the immoral tendency of such business is so great that it should be most . severely denounced and discouraged by ev- cry one having the best welfare of the com 1 munity at heart. The purchase of an article
 of food with gift ticket inclosed in this way is made to appear as trihing affair but 1t 1 is no less immoral and an offense against law than are the big lottery swindles whichs the government is trying to suppress. Besides,
 as every teacher of morality knows, it is the apparently trifing sins which are Winked at 1 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
 circumstrnces.-Ne Fork Independent. s
 The universal verdict, ''The Hop Plaster is the best porous plaster ever made" Only 25