The Bottineau pioneer. (Bottineau, N.D.) 1885-1895, 1890-02-22
WILL MAKEA TEST.
Arrests Likely to be Made for
the Violation of the Mon
tana Lottery Law.
The Louisiana Concern Will
Try to Purchase the Mon.
tana Lottery Company.

HELENA, Mont, Special Telegram,
1T is possible that in short time some
arrests will be made for the violation of the
lottery law, and q test case made either in
the Silver Bow or Lewis and Clarke courts.
1t is a well known fact that lotteries are
openly conducted in Montana, and the
business Of selling lottery tickets is extern
sively carried on, though both appear to
be prohibited by law. Section 2, article 10
Of the Montana constitution reads:
The legislative assembly shall hav no power
to authorize lotteries or gift enterprises for any
purpose, and shall pass laws to prohibit the
state.
This would in itself seem to prohibit the
conducting of lotteries or sale OF tickets, as
it is generally conceded that the constitu-
ton repeats all territorial laws in conflict
with its provisions. AT the last session of
the territorial legislature a law was passed
prohibiting lotteries in Montana. This
law contains one section providing that lot
teries existing prior to the passage of the
act, and having advertised drawings to
take place after May l, 1889, the date at
which the law took effect, should on that
date place their affairs in the hands of a re-
ceiver appointed by the court, who would
finish up the business. Last May
the Montana lottery placed their
business in the hands of a receiver
and have been continuing 1t in that way
ever since, claiming, it is said, that the law
permits this. The intent of the law was
evidently to prohibit all lotteries and not
to allow but mi drawing after the first of
last May. If the lottery company are right
they will be allowed to operate until further
legislation OH the subject. What lends in
terest to this question at present is that it is
reported that the Louisiana lottery
schcmers, who were knocked out in North
Dakota, are negotiating to buy out the Mon
tana Lottery company SO as to gain a foot
hold in this state. This is but a rumor and
lacks confirmation, yet many believe it in
view of the boast of the lottery schemers
that if they were defeated in North Dakota
they would try to work Montana. Further
Developments are expected in q few days.
IA REQUEST a. cAsEY's PRESENCE.
BISMARCK, N. D., Special Telegram,
Chairman Robinson, of the senate in
vestigating committee, has not yet returned,
but is expected back in time for q meeting
of the committee tomorrow. One Of the
members said to-day that the committee
was considering the question of requesting
the presence OF United States Senator Casey
as a witness.
IT'S NEXT love.
NEW ORLEANS, Specialize Louisiana
Lottery company is making a desperate
effort to retain its corporate life. It has
failed to obtain a charter from North Da-
kota, and its next move, it is said, will be
an enormous bride to the Louisiana legis-
lature for a renewal of its present charter,
which will expire in two years hence. Its
proposition will be to pay the entire state
100000. The lottery is earning $3.50, GOO a
month, or So, 600, 600 per year net. Many
prominent Louisianians fear that the bride
may be accepted.