, 1890-07-10
LOUISIANA LOTTERY.
The Bill Vetoed by the Gov
ernor.
AN EXTRAORDINARY PROTEST
The Evils of tho Measure to the
State Eloquently Pointed
Out.

Baton RoUoK, L., July I. 7.-Governor
Nichols this afternoon returned 10 the
house without approval the now famous
lottery bill. In his veto message, which
Is Of great length, ho refers to his mes
sage at tho opening of the session, an
ticipating this legislation, and urging
Its instant rejection for various reasons
then set forth. In the present message
he says that his views heretofore OK
pressed not only remain un-
changed but his convictions have
1eepened and strengthened. The persist
ent efforts which have been made to
represent Louisiana as n pauper. una
BILE by and through her own Legitimate
resources to sustain and carry out the
duties OF her statehood, arc utterly
without foundation. The state and diff
ierent parishes OF tho state were never
since the late war In u better condition
than they were to-day.
ihe message continues: Moving
forward TO an area OF assured
prosperity, suddenly the dark shadow
Of deep disgrace is thrown
across their path, and the
honor OF Louisiana, maintained In
the past on tho field and in council, by
the patriotism and valor and sacrifices
Of her sons, living and dead. is to be
tarnished forever. Her position among
her sister states Is to bo tested, not by
what she has been, but as the degenerate
partner In gambling corporation, de-
signed, organized and TO be carried out
not for her good or her advance.
ment, but as ! have before said,
for the personal and selfish interests OF
handful of men, many OF them con-
nected with the darker days Of the re-
construction period. Who arc the six
unnamed who are to join with seventh
and known one. to constitute the new
lottery2 How comes II that We are
not informed as to their identity, and
enabled TO know their anteceden,s and
fix their recordsS There is world of
meaning in that silence. In the most
| trining affairs OF life men seek to know
with whom they deal. How comes II
that In a matter so important the gem
eral assembly has been willing up to
now 10 close its eyes and move blindly
In the dark?
~ say to this general assembly
In all earnestuess that should this
measure he passed. we will enter
upon period of strife such as
never has been seen before In Louisiana,
and should this contemplated corpora
tion ever he formed on an era Of cor
ruption and degradation, beside which
the reconstruction will appear as one OF
honor and happiness. Let me say to
you that should this measure be- adopt
/ ed and carried out, In my opln-
/ ion no good will ever come OF
/ the money which we will receive as the
price OF our honor and our liberty. Ex-
travagance, proiiigacy and corruption
will assuredly follow as night follows
day. believe that at the end of twenty.
/ five years we will not only find eonsti-
tutionai bonds outstanding To the ut
most limit OF the funding law, but be-
\ lieve that there will be an additional
immense interest-bearingd debt, which by
that time will have been acknowledged
and provided for as to interest,
but not rs to the capital,
and that In those twenty-five years
/ this vast amount OF interest will nave
been paid unnecessarily. Improperly and
| illegally. In whose hands those inter
est bearing bonds will be found time
will develop. At the end OF twenty-five
years there will be the same claim o
poverty Of Louisiana, and the claim Oh
It's behalf for a continued extension o
the lottery"
! Governor Nichols concludedod with 4
most urgent protest against this assumed
condition of poverty In the state. and
said that tho measure would coniinu,
to meet with his most determined oppo-
sition.
The bill was made special order fol
Tomorrow afternoon.