New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-03-23
LOTTERIES IN DANCER IN KENTUCKY.
PUBLIC SCANDAL, INVOLVING BRIBERY OF

A PUBLIC SCANDAL INVOLVING BRIBERY OF
OFFICIALS LIKELY TO BE- REMOVED
Louisville, KY March 90 (SpecaD.-The Legislature
is nearing the end of bitter fight which is the
diving struggle of the lottery in Kentucky. Seven
charters now exist by which lotteries permitted in
the state and two years ago the bill known Is the
Hewitt Revenue Law passed, which gave lotteries
still stronger legal status, by providing that char
tered lotteries could be operated by paying license
of $500 month. OF the existing companies, now
ever the Frankfort Lottery, Of Kentucky. is the only
one which has gained any decided faothold. TINS
company was organized about twelve years ago. under
the gu,e Of helping the public schools Of Frankfort
The capital Of Kentucky The franchise is owned by
T.. :. stewart a wealthy New Yorker. The business
OF the concern has assumed enormous proportions. ana
in recent investigations it, revenues were estimated
at about So 100000 a year. With ITS increasing
wealth il grew in power. Its power in the city Of
Louisville was almost invinciblc. Rufus Meredith
secretary of The Courier Journal Company, con
fesscd in the investigation that lie received weekly
stipend, and city official received 500 month
II had a legal department headed BY Judge sanders
one of the most prominent lawyers IN the city. at
salary of $1,000 II controlled municipal elections
and even policemen discharged at IL dlciaii0n
II was always counted factor in elections and
tie candidates openly accepted il, aid In legislative
elections il was supreme. Harvey Myers. the anti
lottery candidate was elected Speaker OF the House,
and shortly afterward resolution was adopted APP
pointing a committee 10 investigate the lottery com
NAMES and see if they had not exceeded their charter
privileges The committee went TO work. Mdch ~
dom testimony was heard. one Of the points clcfd
was that out Of all the loery's millions. the Frank
fort public schools had received loss than $1,000
Although il was we'll known that the lottery company $
income was enormous Oficcr Of the company refused
10 answer the committees questions. bill intro
duced I'm the House 10 authorize the committee TO
pnpish obstinate witnesses strangely fingered IN a
commttee-roO II began 10 look a. II the "hp'
prosecution would fall through. Last Friday, no"
ever bomb exploded. prominent senator went
IN the Governor and stated that lottery agent mao
approached him and offered bride II lie womb VOC
ucans anti lottery bills The Governor lmincdia'eF
communicated his knowledge TO incmheri OF tle Leg-'
latre and II learned that several other members
OF both houses had been approached, IheSe iactS
were published on saturday morning and set frakiort
the senate passed bills repeating the charters OF all
lotteries In Kentucky and wound nD by repeating the
section OF the Hewitt Law licensing these loteIlc'
These repeating bills sent over 10 the liOn>c ana
after some difficulty about reference 10 committee
verc referred 10 the Committee on Religion ana Morals
This committee has reported five OF the bills favorahy
and the IouSe awaits action on the Otncr twO uHt IL
NAV mass them all together. There - hardly a dObt
that the bills will all The legislators, now tt
they are stirred up going further than had been
hopea for \ senator has introduced q Dill MAXIM"
IL unlawful to bring into the state, SELL or Owh'
lottery ticket.