Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-02-16
THE LOTTERY SCARE.
Bessie Bramble Draws Comparisons
AprOpOs Of Dakota's Idea.
HER OPINION OF WASHINGTON.
Ridiculous Features Of the Social Part Of
Life at the Capital.
DOlNGs OF THE WEEK In CONGRESS
tFRoM A STAFF CORRESPONDENT

others here as to the proposed lottery busi-
ness in Dakota to lessen taxation for the
discouraged farmers of that great agri-
cultural region and to raise money for pub
lie purposes. But the people there are
surely not wicked beyond their fellows.
Their plan as set forth is only history re-
pesting ITSELF
When the country was in its infancy pub
lie works and enterprises of all sorts were
managed upon the lottery scheme. Even
the churches and schools were built with
money raised in that way, and that fact
does not appear to have interfered in any
perceptible manner with their prosperity
and usefulness. If the subject were closely
investigated, and the details carefully gone
over, it might be found that lottery schemes
for raising money were not now considered
as dreadfully wicked as some people sup
pose since they have become known under
other names. Churches are even in these
days built in part and furnished, hospitals
are supported, benevolent and philan-
thropic schemes of all sorts are benefited by
lotteries, known under the titles of taking
chances, making guesses and voting on all
sorts of uncertainties and matters in which
luck only is supposed to be the controlling
factor. Even some of the churches in ortho-
dox Pittsburg we're built and sustained by
lotteries, and yet they have prospered and
grown
RICH IN GOOD WORKS
and piety. The fairs and enterprises in be-
LII 80 = L., IL Al
with their votes and chances succeed better
in drawing dollars from close pockets than
any that are managed on the plan Of legiti-
mate contributions, or the regular sale of
merchandise, as everybody is well aware.
Knowing this, it is not wonderful that the
poor Dakotans who see in the system of tax
alton for the expenses of their new and am
bilious State bug6ear that will strain their
financial ability to the breaking point have
bethought themselves of the money-drawing
power of a lottery that was so successful in
building up new enterprises in the early
part OF the century with the least burden
upon the people at large.
In this great city of Washington the first
hotel built was prize in lottery, and lot
teries were used to encourage settlement in
the Distr; It of Columbia which, while then
so poor, now teen. wit wealth, and has be-
duri g the season, and the Mecca of pol;ti- |
cal pilgrim in their pursuit of an "ofis."
To hear the doleful words of eondemna-
ton and witness the shocked expressions of |
SONS of the "truly good" of the present ad- |
ministration. it would appear that President |
Harrlson and Secretary Wanamaker, and |
Senater Quay AMI Brother Halford and the |
most of them wer. greatly grieved and
DIsoUIETED IN THEIR SOULS
over this lottery business as propo ,ed in |
Dakota, though surely they must know that |
neither the Constitution nor the Ten Com |
however carefully lived up to,
nor any legislation, however restrictive can |
prevent men or women from making fools of |
themselves. Moreover, as lotteries const;- |
tute great part of what is deemed legiti- |
mate business, it is hard to see how the line |
can be drawn to avoid the crime and sin of |
betting upon chances or taking risks in |
luck. If 81 is risked for a chance on a silk
quilt or a set of silver at a fair for the ben
eft of q church or the support of q mission.
airy, IN what does the sin of the Dakotans
consist, who, in order to promote the pros
peritY of their State, institute a system of
chances for people to secure town lots and |
farms by similar plan?
If lotteries are so dreadfully sinful and
why does not the country rise up
and howl over the speculations and the daily
inculcation of the doctrines of chances and
blind luck as exhibited in the oil business;
the transactions in stocks; the bulIing and
bearing of markets, by which credulous men
are heeced of their money by the "smart
business men" and money sharks and
sharpers to be found in every community.
The greatest lottery Of the world is admitted
to be marriage, and as marriages we are told
were ordained in heaven it NAV be that the
great shock to Brother Wanamaker in the
Dakota lottery is a little overdrawn if
heaven sanctions chances in the most i'm
portant matter Of life, and that his scruples
are little far fetched if what is business in
New York and Philadelphia is esteemed a
shocking sin in Dakota.
WASHINGTON IN MOURNING.
Nobody would ever dream that Washing
ton was city in mourning, judging by the
brilliant sunlight and spring-llke appear
ance of the beautiful city. The parks and
lawns are in glow of splendor with GRO
cuses and early flowers. The japonicas are
flaming in scarlet and with the shining
green of the magnolias and eVergreeus. All
nature is gay without, and, for that matter,
there is plenty of gayety within the hospit-
able homes but the administration circle
has decreed that society as far as it is con-
|
ashes until after Lent. This, it is claimed, !
is only showing proper respect and sympa-
Ehy for the Tracy family, whose home has
been darkened by the dire tragedy of few
weeks ago, but there are plenty to say
that this reason has been gladly seized upon
BY many as an excuse to get out OF the
Dounden rules as to receptions and enter
that make the lives of official
women martyrdom to the giddy whirl in
which society moves as in q tiresome tread
mill. If anybody desires to know
now little things may be made to
Ieem great, and small doings wax
nto affairs of mighty moment
hey should attend tea or a reception in
Iome of the homes of those whose names fill
he sounding trump of fame as the great
men of the republic, and then read the
glowing accounts of the same in the news
papers, where by skillfulness of pen and
)rilliance of Imagination the most homely
II women can be transformed, and repre-
ented to the reading millions as so beauti-
ul in person, so gracious in manners, and
10 elegant as to gowns and graces that if
lalf was believed, it might be imagined
hat a high Office had about it such spiritu-
Ilizing essence and exalting effect that
With slice of paradise annexed, those liv-
ng under its shadows and draped BY its in
luence became
LIKE UNTO THE ANGELS
n person, and were straightway endowed
With the virtues of the gods. Gaunt, scraw-
w, raw-boned women-dressed in such style
IS would drive tasteful dressmaker stark
taring mad, and overhowing with small
ak in such English as would make Lind
ey Murray or any other strictly regular
turn in his grave if packed
way under the dust of centuries, or walk
he golden streets of the spirit land with
,hostly anguish, If there they are, and can
lnow how even those in high places fail to /
,hserve the rules theE snent their lives in 1