The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-07-08
A LOTTERY BILL VETO.
GOV. NICHOLLS MAKES A STRONG
APPEAL TO THE MEMBERS.


ing the Money.
BATON RoUGE, LA. July 7-Gov. Nichols
this afternoon returned to the House the
lottery bill without his approval.
Subjoined is his veto:
To the Honorable Speaker aud Members Of The
House Of Representatives.:
GENTLEMEN-I have had under consideration
the bill which originated in the House of Repre-
sentatives entitled ''An act providing for the
submission to the electors of the state for adop-
ton or rejection of an amendment to the con-
stitution Of the state by inserting therein an
article on levees schools, charities, pensions,
drainage and lotteries" which l return
your honorable body without my
approval and signature, and with the
following as my objections thereto In the
message which submitted to the general as
sembly at the opening of the present session
referred, at some length and by anticipation, TO
the measure, which felt satisfied would be
placed before il for consideration and an at
tempt on the part of the lottery company to
extend or renew its charter. l assigned various
reasons why proposition looking TO the legal
ization In any shape OF the lottery should be in
stantly rejected, and why legalzatlon of the
time and manner and form In which 1t would
undoubtedly be- sought to be brought before it
would be fraught with danger and disaster.
THE FIRST WARNING.
I warned the general assembly as to what.
in my opinion, would be the inevitable result of
such legislation, not only upon the material
welfare and prosperity of our people, but upon
their social and political condition, and not
only upon the honor and good name, but upon
the peace OF the state was not in error as to
the bringing forward of the proposition for
lottery privileges The bill which has been sub
mitted to me for executive approval and
which l now return, evidences the fact
and the conclusions reached upon it at the
present time by the general assembly. 1t be-
comes now my duty to urge by way OF execu-
tive objection what l have heretofore urged
nnHpr QRt n Of hQ rn NyqU n
executive counsel Taking up that portion OF
my message alluded to, which had reference to
the lottery. question generally, l make it
part OF this, my present message, and
the reasons therein brought forward
against favorable consideration Of any
lottery proposition are now presented
as direct objections made by me to the bill pre-
sented to me. My views, as heretofore ex-
pressed, not only remain unchanged but my
conviction has deepened and strengthened dur
ing the session Of the general assembly
LoUIsIANA's FINANCES.
If in the discussion of this lottery question in
my first message failed to do so in connection
with the financial condition of the state, it was
because, In my opinion, in point of fact, there
was no occasion for so doing. The persistent
efforts which have been made to present Louisi-
ana as pauper, unable by and through
her own legitimate resources to sustain and
carry out the duties of her statehood are utterly
without foundation. The reports Of the treas
urer and auditor OF the State show this. The
reports OF the board Of State engineers show
this. The reports of the board of admin
istrators of the various charitable and
educational and other public institutions
and those of the various committees of this
very general assembly sent to examine into the
| situation and condition of these institutions
show it.
CONDITION OF THE PARISHES.
The state and the different parishes of this
state were never since the war in better condi-
| ing forward TO an era of assured
prosperity. The dark shadow OF a deep dis
grace is thrown across their path, and the
| honor OF Louisiana, as maintained in the past
on the field, In council, by patriotism and valor
and the sacrifices of her sons living and dead
| is to be tarnlshed forever, and her position
among her sisters to be lessened by a
| for the personal and selfish interest of men,
many Of them connected with the darkest days
OF the reconstruction period. l repeat 1t for
them: they are selling out our birthright for a
mess Of pottage.
THE SIX UNNAMED MEN.
Who are the six unnamed men who are to join
the seventh and known one to constitute the
new lottery company How comes it that we
are not informed as to their identity and may
fix their records? There is a world Of meaning
in their silence. In the most trIaing affairs
men know who they deal with. In
| matter Of this importance the gen
eral assembly o,ha has bee been ~, willing up
before 1t takes finally that step and plunge this
state into untold trouble. Is there nothing sig
niflcant In the vote by which this bill was
passed-an exact two-thirds vote in each house
and nothing deeply significant in the twelve
votes of the House and four of the votes in the
Senate by which that exact majority was
reachedf
THE FUTURE FoREsHADowED.
Is the future foreshadowed to meet disaster
most certainS / say to this general assembly
in all earnestness, that should this measure be
passed, we will enter upon period Of strife
has haaN kafr fa
Louisiana, and should this contemplated
corporation ever be formed we shall enter upon
an era of corruption and degradation beside
which the era OF reconstruction will appear as
one of honor and happiness And let me say to you
that, should this measure be adopted and car
ried out. In my opinion no good will ever come
of the money which we will receive as the price
Of your honor and liberty. Extravaganza and
corruption will as assuredly follow its receipt as
night follows day.
TAXES WON'T BE LESS.
feel thoroughly satisfied that the result of
the adoption OF the measure will be that
while six mill taxes will be kept
ing off in legislative appropriations for char
liable and other purposes for which this money
will be directed, and a wondrous corresponding
to the payment of the interest bearing
debt. In other words believe that
at the end OF twenty-five years we
will not only find constitutional bonds
law, but believe that there will be an addi-
tional immense interest bearing debt which by
that time will have been acknowledged and pro-
vided for as interest, but not as to the capital,
and that in those twenty-five years vast
amount Of interest will have been paid out
unnecessarily, impromperly and illegally. In
whose hands these interest bearing bonds will
be found, time will develop. At the eud of
twenty five years there will be the same claim
on the property Of louisiana and the same
claim on its own behalf Tor continued existence
of the lottery.
FALSE CLAIM.
The claim for the present measure is predi-
Gated upon the assumed position Of the prop
efty Of louisiana. i, as its governor, pronounce
other motive for this measure must be found
Knowing this measure, as do, as one dishonor-
ing and degrading TO Louisiana, 1t has met,
as it will continue to meet, my most
determined opposition. At no time and under
no circumstances will permit one of my hands
to aid In rctarding what the other was lost in
seeking to uphold, the honor OF my native
state. We're | to affix my signature to the bill
would indeed be ashamed to let my left hand
know what my right hand had done. Very re-
spectfully, Francis T. NICHOLS.
Governor of Louisiana.
Mr.. Shattuck introduced a resolution to
the effect that inasmuch as there was some
question as to the constitutional right Of the
governor to veto an amendment, considera-
ton of the question be made the special
order for 2 O'clock Tuesday, July g.
aons ~ the RavoI,1fior,