The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1890-03-19
The Lottery's Donation.

We think, as does the Times Demo-
crat of New Orleans, that Gov. Mich
oils acted unwisely in refusing to re-
ceive the check of 100000, of the
La. State Lottery Co., for the beneh'
Of repairing and Strengthening the le-
wees in the threatened overflow dis
,rict, where the interests OF so many
thousands of helpless mortals are at
stake. We quote from our New VI.
leans contemporary and agree with it
in every particular:
Gov, Nichols refusal of the Proherea
donation of 800, 900 is, on the other hand'
mnt;melv and il. advised in the extreme
The money is sorely needed; and 1t shonld
have been taken, and applied toward the
nrotection of property in the State from
inundatiou and destruction. :.
His Excelency could have accepted II
under the exigent circumstances without
committing himself in the least to lndor'
sing the lottery principle, or to favorins
tI,e extension of the charter OF the Loulsi,
ana State Lottery Company. lie coulo
have easily guarded himself against any
nossible misconstruction by stating, IN SC ;.
many. that he accepted the protfered gif
to the people of the State in the dread o
an impending calamity, to avert wnici
there was no available money in the stat
Treasury: but that his acceptance mus
imply neither Endorsement OF lotter.
nor any claim to future favor on the par
of the Louisiana Lottery Company.
Writing in the same strain and o.
the same subject, NJ. A. DauPh'n
President of the Lottery Company
writes to Gov. Nichols as follows:
Dear Sir-Your letter of this date Is II
ceiyed, wherein you refuse and return III
check for 100000, which the Louislan
State Lottery Company had handed
YOU, the Chief Executive of the people
louisiana, to be Immediately applied
the averting of the disastrous overflow
with which they are threatened. =.
While l am not disposed to questlt
your Excellency's free agency IN actli
az YOU do, l cannot refrain from saying
that the Louisiana State Lottery Coz
pany is as firmly grounded III the Cohs'
tuition and the laws OF Louisiana as al
institution within its borders; 1t
therefore, as legitimately entitled to
nress its sympathy with the people
louisiana, and to contribute to their
lief, rs the Cotton Exchange, the Boa
of Trade, or, be it respectfully SAID,
Governor of Louisiana himself.
Permit me to say that your Excellenc
refusal to accept the contribution U
dered by this company is based on an
tirely unwarranted assumption of int
tions which neither you nor any one
have right to attribute to it,.
The company's tender of aid to the p
ple of the State was inspired by q rec
milton of actual and pressing emerrgenc
Your Excellency's fear that, If this o
be accepted by you il will impose &c
future aud binding obligation on the p
jic implies the very uncomPlime.ntary
ference that the people of Louisiana
to be swayed in their decision OF q
tions of "vital Importance to thelT I'M
ests' by small benefactions which Ii
no bearing on such questions.
On this point | respectfully peg 10
sent from your Excellencys opinion:
Your Excellency may be assured
this company will not intermIt It's g.
tions to aid the people of the threate
districts in their efforts to avert the ca
trophe with which they are not mena