The Opelousas courier., 1890-03-08
The Lottery Question.

and its local representative has beer
interviewing parties of supposed inf1u
ence in determining the question for O
against a renewal of the charter. Hi
first letter is dated Feb. II, and as thi
question interests the people Of thi
State in very high degree, we give j
as it appears in the Item
The recent effort to secure lottery
charter in North Dakota has had the
effect of filling the press of this country
with much misinformatiOn. Among 9th
er things it has been said that the Lou
isiana Lottery, knowing that it was i'm
possible to secure an extension of its
charter in Louisiana, had determined
to make preparations to withdraw from
the State, and for that reason had
sought to secure Il charter elsewhere
Few people in Louisiana who have
watched the current of events thought
for "a moment that the lottery company
had the slightest idea of abandoning the
State. They regarded the attempt to
secure charter in Dakota only as a
means to get better terms here and as
a provision against possible failure to
secure renewal of the franchise.
It has also been charged that the
Louisiana Lottery Company will now
try to buy an extension of its charter
through the State Legislature and will
offer to retire the State debt otS Sl2, 900,
600 for a twenty-fiv years lease OF
corporate life.
There is, as far as | can learn, no
snch proposition to he made. The Leg
islature is absolutely powetless in the
matter, The people of Louisiana and
they alone can extend the lottery char
ter.
I am reliably informed that the lot
terry will propose for an extension of its
charter to pay an annual license ranging
from $3.50, 900 to S500,00O. the sum
thus raised to be devoted to the char
liable institutions of the State and to
educational purposes. There will be a
had fight over the amendment in the
Legislature, but the indications are
that the necessary two-thirds will be
secured aud the amendment submitted
to the people.
The argument that will be used by
those who will favor the amendment
will be that in matter of such impor-
tance, involving the payment of Sl2,-
GOO, 900, the people should have the
right to decide upon the matter. Those
who oppose tue lottery will do SO upon
purely moral grounds, holding that all
lotteries are pernicious and demoraliz-
ing, and should be prohibited, and that
the people here virtually passed upon
the question by declaring ten years ago
that no lottery shall be established in
tho State after 1895. The moral adyo-
Gates are. as far as my observation goes,
in minority, but will make most de-
termined fight. They will have Gov.
Nichols with them. The Executive
declared himself publicly within week
as against an extension Of the lottery
charter. The Methodist Conference has
also declared against it. So has the
Presbytery of Louisiana and the Farm
ers' Alliance. On the other hand the
lottery people will be backed by many
OF the largest financiers of the city,
most of the influential politicians, and
by the great bulk of those who see no
harm 10 buying lottery ticket. These
latter, it is safe TO say, judging from
hetagidences one sees around him, con-
I'D We large majority of the popula-
ta5n. So, in spite of the Governor and
the moral force of the religious element,
see no reason to doubt that the pro-
position of the lottery, with some mod
Ifications in favor of the State, will be
submitted to the people.
The disposition of the amendment is
more problematical. The question, if
it is submitted, will not be voted upon
lLtil 1892 In the meantime great
deal of missionary work can be done on
both sides. Nothing is more certain
than that the opposition will not cease
with the action of the Legislature, pro
Vided of course it is favorable to the
lottery company In fact, such action
viii only intensity it.
This campaign is certain to be one OF
he hottest ever fought in the State.
An attempt will be made to get one or
both of the political parties to declare
against the lottery in the party plat
sorms, bat it is not likely chat either
will inject the question into its declara-
ion of purposes. The republican party
chartered the lottery and its represeD-
,atives here always voted for it, both,
u the Legislature and Convention.
The Democrats have always divided
lpon the question, the majority being
opposed to the lottery, formerly on the
ground that il was faction in politics.
The lottery has so shrewdly conducted
ts affairs in late years as to disarm this
opposition.
I should say the lottery will secure
'enewal of it's charter at the hands of
he people. Why? Well for one reas-
10, the Republicans are likely to be
solid for it, although some
If the negro preachers may take the
Itunp against it. Then the business
community Is likely to favor it for the
'eason that it brings money and bust
ness into the State. Again, large
of the people are lottery
,layers. The moral argument has lit
le influence with them. If they do
lot buy Louisiana Lottery tickets their
money will go to Havana or Mexico.
Ind they prefer to place it where, al
hougli the chances are so largely
lgainst winning, they know that if the
icket draws prize they will have no
lificnlty in getting their money, four
If the largest banks in the city pledging
to cash all prizes over their
COUNTERS.
Again, a majority Of those interested
ne the charitable institutions in the
State are likely to stand by the lottery
These institutions, with the single ex
,eption Of the Charity Hospital, are nat