The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1886-02-03
THE LOTTERY QUESTION.
Editor Democrat

agitated the pnblic mind in this State
during the last campaign were, the
Public Schools, the railroads and the
Lottery. I have already had some
thing to say on the first two, and with
your permission l propose now to show
what was done at the last session of
the Legislature in reference to the La.
State Lottery and to discuss that
matter.
The first attempt made was to pass
a bill proposing an amendment to the
Constitution, abolishing the charter,
or rather to repeal the recognitions of
that institution contained in the Con-
stitution of 1879. This bill came from
the committee on the Constitution with
a favorable report, was discussed at
length and failed of passage for want
of the requisite two thirds vote. 1t
can be said to the credit of the House
that there was majority in favor of
the bill. Failing in this another bill
was introduced to charter another com.
pany. This was defeated for want of
a majority. The policy of those op-
posed to the Louisiana State Lottery
was, first to abolish all lotteries and
failing in this to charter other compa-
MES as provided for in the Constitu-
ton in order to destroy the monthly
enjoyed by the Louisiana Lottery Co.
There was an attempt made to repeal
the statutes which protect the sale of
the tickets of that company. This
failed like all the others, only that in
the case of this bill there was an ad-
verse report from the Committee. The
Journal will show that l voted with
and made a report for the minority of
the Committee favoring the passage
of the bill, which came up at or near
the close of the session.
l have thus recapitulated what was
done or rather attempted to he done,
for several reasons. Elm this Parish
the influence of the Louisiana Lottery
Company was forcibly shown to US by
the use of money in the last campaign.
The public resented this very justly
and the issue of Lottery and anti-Lot.
terry was sharply drawn in this Parish
In some of the other parishes there is
a sentiment which found expression in
the papers and in the votes of mem.
bers, that it is better policy to let the
Lottery alone than to fight it. l have
even heard it expressed here. I dc
not share in this sentiment and never
have entertained that view. The same
policy would induce the clergyman to
let the devil alone for fear of stirring
him up to renewed activity. "Eternal
vigilance is the price of liberty" and
eternal warfare is the destiny of right
and truth. The Haunting assertion
sent abroad in every advertisement oil
this company, "that this is the only
Lottery in any State ever voted on
and Endorsed by its people," is a con.
tinuedimputation upon the intelligence
if not the morality of the people OF
Louisiana, and it is as we'll an unceas
ing menace to our material prosperity
because it seriously impairs the stand
ing of this State with the people O
other States. Nor is it true that tht
people of this State in adopting tn.
Constitution of 1879, had any inten
ton of endorsing the Lottery Compa
ny. The recognition of it in that in
strument had been artfully included il
the body of the instrument itself ant
the people had no opportunity of vot
ing for or against the~Lottery per Sc
Had the question been submitted il
the shape of separate ordinance O.
the Convention it would have beer
overwhelmingly defeated.
Nor is the policy indicated above
good policy. The recognition, suct
as it is, in the Constitution of 1879 wa.
to last only until 1895 and it is Ger
tain-as certain as any future event
can be-that at some time before
these next nine years have passed, g
vigorous effort will be made to secure
a renewal of the charter of that con.
Germ. There aro but hco more Legis
latures to be elected before the present
recognition" expires. l say "recog
milton" advisedly, because the Louisi.
ana Lottery Company has no charter
The one it had was repealed by the
Nichols Legislature and the Constitu
tional Convention could do no more
than to "recognize" it. 1t could moi
and did not pretend to give it new
charter and it has none. That before
1895 it will try to get new one, nc
sane man can doubt.
To secure its purpose it will MOI
hesitate to debase and cOrrunt nolitic.