Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1890-08-07
ANTI-LOTTERY MESSAGE.
A Message From the Pres ident TO
Congress.
President Harrison, July goth, sent

President Harrison, July Goth, sent
the following message to congress:
To he Senate aud Loase of Representatives..
The recent attempt 10 secure charter from
the state of Moth Dakota for lottery com
pany, pending an effort to obtain from the state
of Louisiana a renewal of the charter of the
Louisiana State lottery and the establishment
OF one or more lottery companies at Mexican
towns near our border, have served the good
purpose OF calling public attention to an evil
of vast proportions VI the baneful effects OF
lotteries were confined 70 ths states that gave
the companies corporate powers and license to
conduct business, the citizens OF other states
being powerless to apply legal remedies, might
clear themselves OF responsibility by the use
of such moral agencies as were within their
reach. But the case Is not so. The people OF
all states are debauched and defrauded. The
vast sums Of money offered to states for
charters are drawn from people OF the United
States, and the general government, through
the mail system, Is made an effective and
profitable medium OF intercourse between the
lottery company and its victims. The use of
the mails is quite as essential TO the companies
as a state license. II would be practically I'M
possible for companies to exist If the public
mails were once effectively closed against their
advertisements and remittances. The use Of
the mails by these companies Is a prostitution
of an agency only intended TO serve the pur-
poses OF legitimate trade and decent social
nte recourse. II Is not necessary, | am sure,
for me to attempt to portray the robbery of
the poor and the widespread corruption OF
public and private morals which are necessary
incidents Of these lottery schemes. The
national capital has become the sub head
quarters of the Louisiana Lottery company,
and Its numerous agents and attorneys are
conducting here business involving probably
a larger use OF the mails than that OF any
legitimate business enterprise in the District
Of Columbia. There seems to be good reasons
to believe the conuptiug touch of these agents
have Oeen felt by the clerks In the postal SER
vice and by some of The police officers OF the
district Severe and effective legislation
should be promptly enacted to enable the
postoifice department to purge the malls of
all letters, newspapers and circulars relating
to the business. The letter OF the postmaster
general, which transmit herewith. points out
the inadequacy Of existing statutes and sug.
gests legislation that would be effective. 1t
may also be necessary to 50 regulate the carry.
ing OF letters by express companies
as to prevent the use of those agencies Ia
maintain COMMUNICATION between lottery
companies and their agents and customers III
other cities. II does not seem possible that
there can be any division OF sentiment as 70
the proprlety Of closing the mails agains,
these companies, and therefore venture 10
express the hope that such proper powers as
are necessary TO that end will be given to the
postofce department
The letter of the postmaster general
referred to by the president, calls at
tention to the inefiiciency of the pre-
sent law and recommends the passage
OF the anti-lottery bill recently re-
ported 10 the house.