The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1890-10-01
THE LOTTERY BILL.

the Republican Congress, assisted by
the weakened representatives OF the
Democratic party, is move towards
the perpetuation of Republicanism IN
the trend towards Capitalization OF
mower in the Federal authorities, by
the abridgement of personal rights
and liberties second only to the abom-
Bination known as the force bill.
By it's provisions the most sacred
rights of the citizen is invaded and
an espionage equal to the surveillance
of Hoche and his emissaries during
the days Of the first Empire inaugura-
ted. The Postmaster General of the
Federal Government is made sole SUI
pervisor and upon mere information
can authorize his subordinates through
out the length and breadth of the
land, to intercept, examine and con-
denim letter or parcel committed by
the hand of the citizen to the mails.
Slight as this may have appeared to
some who consoled themselves that
the power would only be used in the
abatement of lotteryites, it is u pow
erful weapon in the hands of per-
verted government and will be used
Unfortunately by the party IN power
for its perpetuation in office. With
the control of the mails and the power
to condemn and exclude on suspicion
~ information they will not be slow
sert these advantages to their
wv" aarrassing and thwarting
persons and pass ,nosos hrs,
mess when ever it 49,.
When the bill was propose,.~.hs RI.
publicans were not slow to SEQ, :
advantages to be derived by the con.
troll of this great arm of the service
between the Government and the citi
zen, and espoused it at once, bringing
it to a speedy and final passage with
out modification or amendment, while
the degenerate representatives of the
Democracy, the great party of the peo
pie, fully cognizant of the great right
being taken from the people and ad
ded to the Federal powers tamely con
sented to this grievance Infringement
on civic rights.
No voice from the South--the sec
ton to suffer most-was heard when {
new burden was added and especially
dumb were Louisiana Congressmer
who knew full we'll that large ma
iority of the citizens of their State
were in favor of the perpetuation o.
the Louisiana State Lottery-the in
stitution chiefly aimed at in the bill
in consideration of large sums of mon
ey offered in relief Of our depressed
institutions. And why this silence
when they knew the general evils Of
the bill and in their hearts condemned
it9 The reason is apparent, they did
not have the courage to sustain theil
conviction, inundated by the frantic
demonstrations of fanatics and swinied
moralists OF home and for fear of en-.
dangering their seats in the National
Capital, smothered their convictions
and voted for measure just one de.
gree removed from the Federal cleo.
ton law.
And while fakirs lash themselves
into a frenzy Of joy at the seeming
success of their Authorizations, sensi,
BILE people cannot suppress a plying
smile at their ill-timed mirth, realizing
when the mists Of the delusion have
passed away, the will discover they
have sold their birthright for mess
of pottage. The Louisiana Lottery
Company, fully satisfied the bill would
pass have gradually been discontinue
ing the use Of the mails and adopting
the express company equally practice
The Express company and indiviual
arrangement fills the recruitment of the
company and their business will receive
no check and as to the advertisements
in the journals, the aetis have gave
them advertisement sufficient for many
a day. Hence when all is done, the
great victory achieved by sacrificing
personal rights and liberties to the Re-
publican party is merely "dead sea
opplesn that turn to ashes in the grasp.
Despite the declaration that death
blow was given in recent congressional
action the Lottery company will come
before our people in 1892 to receive
the endorsement OFF thoughtful major
ity,