The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1890-07-10
LA. LOTTERY.
GOV. NICHOLS VETOES THE
LOTTERY BILL.
HE GIVES HIS REASON THEREFOR
He Holds the Honor of Louisiana Above
Money, and Says There is No Excuse
for the Lottery.

Il DAWN IGoO1E, lusi July t,-OONSlri
Nichols this afternoon returned to the
house the lottery bill without his apprrval.
Subjoinedis is his veto:
To the Honorable, the Speaker and Mem
bers of the House,
Gentlemen; have had under consider
ton bill which originated in the house of
!, representatives. entitled, can act providing
for the submission to the electors of the
State for adoption or rejection of an amend.
ment to the constitution of the State by in.
serting therein an article on levees, schools,
charities, pensions, drainage, lotteries and
general fund, which l return to your hon.
orable body without my approval and sig
nature and with the following as my OBJ
lection thereto.
In the message which | submitted to the
general assembly at the opening of the
present session it referred at some length
and by anticipation to a measure which
felt satisfied would be placed before it for
consideration: An attempt on the part of
the lottery company to extend or renew its
charter. assigned various reasons why a
proposition looking to the retention in any
shape of the lottery should be instantly re-
jected and why the legalization at the time
and in a manner and form in which it
would undoublly be sought to be brought
before it would be frought with danger and
disaster.
| warned the general assembly as to what
in my opinion would be the inevitable re-
suit of such legislation, not only upon their
material welfare and the 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 priv
liges. The bill which has been submitted
to me for executive approval, and which
now return, evidences that fact and the
conclusions reached upon it to the present
time by the general assembly.
1t now become my duty to urge by way
of executive objection what | have hereto
fore urged under article No. II of the
constitution by way of executive counsel
Reiterating that portion of my message al
luding to the lottery question generally,
make a part of this my present message
and the reason therein brought forward
against the favorable consideration of any
lottery proposition are now pre-
sented as direct objections made
by me to the bill presented to me. My view,
as heretofore expressed not only remain
unchanged, but my conviction has deepened
and strengthened during the session of the
general assembly.
If in the discussion of this lottery uues-
| ton in my first message failed to do so in
connection with the financial condition of
the state it was because it was in nv opin-
ion in point of fact there was no occasion
| for so doing. The persistent efforts which
have been made TO present Louisiana as a
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
| treasurer and auditor of the state show this
suddenly the dark shadow of deep disgrace
is thrown across her path and the honor of
Louisiana, maintained in the past on
the field and in the council by the patriot
ism, valor and sacrifices of her sons living
| and dead is to be tarnished forever, her po-
sition among her sister States to be stated
not by what she has been, exalted and lust
ly proud, but in the dust as a degenerate
partner in gambling corporation designed
and organized and to be carried out, not for
her good or her Advancement but, as
have before said, for the personal and self
ish interests of handful of men, many of
them connected with the darkest days of
the reconstruction period call upon you
to pause before you take finally that step
which plunges this State into untold trou-
BILE.
Is there nothing significant in the vote by
which this bill has passed2 The exact two
thirds vote in each house, and nothing
deeply significant in twelve of the votes in
the house, and four of the votes In the SEN
ate by which that exact majority was
reached? Is not the future foreshadowed? |
To me it most certainly is, and let me saw |
to you should this measure be adopted and |
carried out, in my OPINION no good will |
ever come of the money which we will re-
ceiye as the price of our honor and liberty |
Extravaganza, profigacy and corruption |
will follow the receipt as night follows the |
day. AT the end OF twenty five years there |
will be the same claim Of the poverty of |
Louisiana and the same claim on its behalf |
for the continued existence of the lottery.
SO far as claim for the necessity of the |
present measure is sought to be predicated |
upon the assured condition of the poverty |
OF Louisiana, l, as its governor, pro-
nounce it totally without justification
or warrant. Some other motive |
for this measure must be |
found than that Il e people are unable hon
orably to carry out the duties of statehood. |
Knowing this measure as do as one dig |
honoring and degrading Louisiana it has |
met, as it will continue to meet, nv most |
determined opposition. Were | to affix nv |
signature to the bill 1 would indeed be |
ashamed to let my left hand know
what my right hand had done |
l place the honor of the State above !
money, ana In expressing that sentiment !
sincerely voice that of thousands of brave |
and true men and of good and devout wom- |
EN- of the State.
Very respectfully,
FRANCIS T. NICHOLS,
Governor of Louisiana.
Mr.. Shattuck Introduced resolution |
that 1nasmuch as there was some question