Smyrna times., 1890-05-21
Can Louisiana be Bribed.
100000 A YEAR OFFERED.

governor Nichols, of Louisiana, has
advised the Legislature of that State
against re-chartering the New Orleans
lottery, and the lottery Company has
responded by doubling the price it is
willing to pay for an extension of its
life. A square issue is thus made be-
tween morality and gambling in that
State, and the question is, Which shall
win For twenty-five years past this
colossal combination for gambling has
rated Louisiana virtue at the price of
$4,000 a year A few weeks ago
the managers bid 5000 a year for
the same commodity, and now that
Governor Nichols is openly antagon-
izing them they are willing to double
this bid and pay Louisiana 81 ,OOO,O 900
year in return for the privilege of
debaunching the people of that State
and the country.
1t looks like a generous act for a
company which asks no favor but the
privilege of conducting a lottery on
business principles to offer a fortune
for the right. But the tender of this
sum does not look so liberal when the
company's returns are analyzed. It
Is estimated that, after paying all ex-
penses and setting aside an enormous
reserve fund, the lottery company dis
tributed in 1889 to its tockholders So.
100000. Its stock is divided
into 10000 shares, the face value of
which is 500 share, but it is quoted
at $1,000 a share, and none of it is on
the market. No one knows the exact
revenue of the lottery company except
the managers, and they are shrewd
enough to keep the matter a secret.
No one in Louisiana doubts, however.
that for years passed the dividends
Lave exceeded 100 per cent. on the
face value of the stock.
1t is a combination, bloated with the
enormous profits which it derives from
the ignorant and deluded classes, that
is dangling bribe of 81 100000 before
the eyes of the people of Louisiana. 1t
has not waited for the Legislature to
act, but, taking advantage of the ne
cessi1ies of that State, it has sought to
place the people under obligations to
it. That it has calculated shrewdly !
Is seen in the fact that every impor-
tant newspaper in the State is advoca- |
the granting ofthe charter extension.
Even in New Orleans Picduae, which |
has hitherto stood for the better senti- |
ment of the State, has suecumbed. and /
IS now urging TIE submission of the |
necessary Constitutional amendment |
to the people. The Mayor of New
Orleans, and the county officials will /
doubtless throw their influence in the
same direction, as they have not hesi.
tated to accept the recent gifts of the
lottery company, the object of which
was well-known.
The situation certainly looks dis.
cOuraging for the friends of morality
and virtue in Louisiana. Deserted by
the newspapers of the State, and with
a large number of officials already cor.
rupted the prospect is certainly a verv
dark one. But this should only nerve
the opponents of this gambling concern
to greater effort. The issue is wider
than the State. There is not a corner
OF the Union into which its corrupting
influence has not extended. Ifit had
debauchcd Louisiana alone it might
be left for the State alone to fight it.
but it only seeks fOothold there in
order that it may strike its tentacles in
every city and village in the country.
The newspapers outside of Louisiana
should come to the rescue of the brave
men and women who are battling with
this lottery company, and thoroughly
expose its character and purposes. If
then the legislature is willing to enter
into partnership with a gambling es-
adjustment and permit Louisiana to
become a by-wOrd and Kissing let it
take the unenviable responsibility
Philadelphia Press.