Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-05-23
a CORPORATE DEVIL.

Senator Hoar has introduced bill pro-
posing a constitutional amendment pro-
viding that no State shall pass a law au-
thorizing lotteries, or the sale of lottery
tickets. We believe that such PROPOSE
lion would be adopted men, con- There
are but two States in the Union which do
not by their Constitutions inhibit lotteries
and gift enterprises, and both of the States
are now seeking to get into line with the
Others which prohibit lotteries Kentucky
will fall into the procession this summer
through the agency of constitutional
amendment, and Louisiana is doing her
best to shake off the old man of the sea
that is wearing the life out of the State,
and inflicting injury upon its people that is
1ncaiculable in its monstrous magnitude.
We may therefore safely assume that such
an amendment to the Federal Constitution
as Senator Hoar proposes will be adopted
by unanimous vote of the States. 1t
should be not at all hindered in the pres
ent Congress, but should be submitted to
the States at once, that such OF them as
have Legislatures in session next winter
may adopt the amendment
In this connection the recent message of
Governor Nichols of Louisiana to the
Legislature of that State is of high i'm
portanee. 1t was sent to the Legislature
on the 18th inst. 1t is long and able
document, reviewing the condition of the
State in all departments, and suggesting
needed legislation. Three closely printed
columns are occupied in the New Delta
by the argument of the Governor upon
the lottery question. Those who have
been misled by the fallacy that because
people will gamble, anyhow" there
fore the proper policy is to license
lottery gambling, and derive a revenue
from it, should read Governor Nichols
testimony upon the question.
1t is impossible to reproduce here his
remarks in full because of their length,
nor is it possible in any brief, or indeed in
any synopsis, to convey an adequate idea
of the yigor and the depth of feeling
with which the Executive of the State
of louisiana speaks concerning the per-
nicious influence Of licensed lotteries upon
the people, as testified to by twenty years
OF experience. He reviews and fairly
states all the claims made for a re-
charter Of the Louisiana lottery, and then
proceeds to demolish them all with the
irresistible assault of undeniable facts.
As to the proposition to submit the
question to the people at general cleo
ton, he points that no submission of
constitutional question is ever made with
out carrying with it degree of legislative
approval of the proposition. He then
calls attention to the utterance of the
people OF the State, solemnly made in their
constitutional amendment, after two de-
cades of the gambling license system:
The people of this State have declared that
no special or exclusive right, privilege or i'm.
mun!Iy shall be granted to any individual or
corporation; that all lotteries shall cease after
January, l, 1895; they have declared that gam
bling IS vice, and have ordered the General
settled policy OF the State on these matters is
thus announced.
He points out that granting charters to
lotteries is outside of the province of any
body erected for the purpose of conducting
State Government. He declares that
while the Legislature has the power to
suspend certain provisions of the Constitu-
tion affecting the question, it would be
monstrous for any legislative body elected
under constitution prohibiting lotteries,
to thus fly in the face of such solemn
and calmly considered expression Of the
sovereign will. The lottery has in that
State, he AYERS, intermeddled in politics;
it has rolled into its treasury millions
upon millions of dollars that have been
flched from wage-earners in most part, OF
the United States, under banner flung to
every breeze by the lottery managers, that
theirs is the only institution of gaming
solemnly Endorsed by sovereign State of
the American Republic. He declares, in
the light Of the experience of the past,
thai to revivify the lottery concern will
be to put it in power, and make it to
Its interest, to control all branches of
government:
IL viii be continuing motive in the COM
pany for having its creatures not only in The
General Assembly guarding its Interests from
adverse legislation, bat also among Judges to
pass upon statues. among Governors to make
iudicious selections of Judges returning officers
and other oiiic ais in the State, and among
United States Senators and members OF the
Lever House of Congress TO check luxurious
legislation in Washington. The lottery could
and would take no risks in these matters but
would be forced TO stand constantly prepared
and equipped, just as far as il could, whenever
and Wherever ii could. and in any manner or
way that IL could, 10 protect what il would
think proper to call its sacred rights" Lot
teri Creatures would be or the floor of the
General Assembly, Stnate and House--lottery
creatures In the judeiary-lotlery creatures
everywhere, in all offices and in all places
The fact that such a corporation is essentially
a mopey.makirg concern. coming millions Of
dollars makes 1t especially sensitive to any
thing THAI touches its money interests; aud its
constantly increasing PROFITS and reserve fund
wonld afford ii in money powerful instrument
in working out its ends.
%. esllsb ism IN that way corporation of
th,st character and we shall have among us a
concern with all its interests and instincts tend