The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1890-07-27
The AN1I-LO7TERY BILL.
It's Penalties Extended to Those Mailing
letter. to tho Lottery Company.

WASHINGTON. July 26.-The report OF the
House Committee on Post Offices and Post
Roads. to accompany the substitute Anti-Lot-
terry bill. agreed upon yesterday was fled this
afternoon. The committee says that the lot
terry business now Is n the hands practically.
Of one concern, the Louisiana Lottery Com
pany. and it has reached alarming proportions.
In Washington alone it is estimated that this
company mails not less than $1,000 letters
month. and in New Orleans its mail deposits
amount to five or ten times as much. All this
is declared to be unavailable under the laws;
but it goes without let or hlndrance, because
under existing statutes. it seems to be impos-
sible to obtain proof of its character.
The committee says that one OF the main
benefits TO be derived from the substitute bill.
if 1t shall become law, is that which
makes tho act OF mailing lottery letters and
circulars n continuous offence. trinble by the
court in any jurisdiction through which they
may pass or into whica they may go. ConNic-
tons under existing law, even where the
proofs can be pro 'ured. are not only difficult.
but arc beloved 10 be next to inn ossibIe in
the State OF Louisiana. where the bulk of the
lottery COMPANY $ mail Is deposited owing 10
the extended and diversified mower OF the COM
pnny, when. II Is claimed. reaches !urles and
Of the substitute bill a letter mailed at New
Orleans may be traced into any other State and
identified 10y its delivery. so that ii the act OF
mailing can be located upon an individual or
individuals at said city the offence may pa-s
under the review OF courts at the place OF deiv-
cry, thus securing fair rial in loca tiles where
the Influence OF the lottery is not established.
Another advantage TO be derived from the sub
stitute bill is the extension of the penalty Tor
mailing letters intended TOR tho lottery by the
public. instead OF combining 1t TO the mailing OF
them by such companies to the public. The
greater benefit, II possible, will lie the closing
OF he mails 20 newspapers which contain lot
tory advertisements and lists Of prizes. thus
partially cutting Off communication between
the lottery and its customers, and reducing
the number Of tts victims. Another important
feature in legal sense. Is that violations OF
provisions OF the bill may be proceeded against
by indictment or infoi nation. and that the eX-
tent OF the punishment Is within the discretion
OF the court
The substitute bill. the committee says pro-
poses to cure the defects in the existing law
by means OF which letters Intended for the
lottery, company reach their destination
through thir'l person or agent by including
within its provisions any agent or representa-
tive oil the company acting rs individual firm,
bank, corporation, or association OF any kind.
and debating that the published advetis
mont by lottery concern that remittanceS for
1t may be made 70 any other person, II I'M. bank,
corporation. or association shall be held to be /
an acknowledgment OF the existence OF said !
agency by all the parties named therein. IL !
enacted 1t would permit the Postmaster Cen |
eral to deny o any agent OF the lottery COM
DHny the benefits OF the registry and money !
order sy' toms, and would result In compelling |
the lottery company TO obtain remittances
through express companies or similar channels. |