The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1885-04-22
Kitchen Lottery Swindles.

We are glad to learn that the authorities
IN TINS city have commenced criminal pro-
ceedings against the most insidious and dan
gerous form of the lottery business yet de-
Vlsed 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 tick
cts are given emitting purchasers to "a
gift " If they chance to get a lucky number
with the package bought. 1t is somewhat
refreshing, however, to learn that recently
the manufactures of a 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 a bak-
ing powder, who is endeavoring, by SINH
lar lottery trick, to palm off upon servant
girls and unsuspecting housekeepers an ar
ticle called baking powder, but which really
Is an alum compound of a corrosive 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 iniqui-
tous, they are infinitely more so when made
the aids to Swinding, which profits at the
expense of the health of the poor and I'M
wary. We are informed that this form of
lottery is being not only peddled from house
to house, but that, under the promise of
larger percentages or profits than can be
realized from the standard goods, the swim
dlers 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 liza
bility to prosecution, in 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 a criminal in the eye of the law,
and upon conviction is liable to fine and i'm
prisonment. This is 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
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 inclosed in
this way is made to appear as a trifing af-
fair; but it is no less immoral and an offence
against law than are the big lottery swim
dies which the government is trying to sup
press. Besides, as every teacher of morality
knows, 1t is the apparently trit1ng sins
which are wlnked 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
circumstances.-Ne,C York independent.