The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-10-04
THE LOTTERY LAW.
Instructions to Postmasters Regarding Un-
lawful Matter.

WASHINGTON, Oct 3.-Assistant Attor-
ney-General Tyner, under the direction OF
the Postmaster-General,h has prepared for
publication in the postal Bulletin q circular
letter to Postmasters, containing instructions
for their guidance in the treatment of. lot
terry matter under the recent Anti-iottery
Act. 1t is very explicit in its instructions
and allows PostmaSters to examine all un-
sealed matter, but forbids the tampering
with sealed matter.
After quoting the anti-lottery law in full
the circular reads:
!. Section 1894, above quoted, applies 10 any
letter, ordinary or registered II IL concerns any
lottery, gift concert or scheme described in the
section, and to lottery tickets, checks. drafts,
bills, money postal notes or money orders, for
the purchase Of lottery tickets or any share or
list OF drawings at any lottery or similar scheme,
and fofbids carrying them in tie malls or delly-
cries of them from the postOfice.
2. The seal OF a letter or any sealed packet,
prepaid AT letter rates. must not be disturbed for
The purpose OF ascertaining If lis transmission in
the mail or its delivery at Tie postotfice Is for
hidden by The provisions Of this act. Nor Will
the mere suspicion that such letter or packet
relates to lottery, or The fact OF Its being ad-
dressed to any person known to be engaged in
the business OF conducting lottery, justify lis
detention or non delivery. except that The delv-
cry OF registered letters at the office destination
shall be withheld when the Postmaster General
has issued specific orders under the provisions
OF Section 1929 to that effect.
8. Postal cards, ana circulars unsealed, and all
other unsealed matter, may when suspected of
having been deposited d 10 be- mailed in violation
OF the provisions of this act. be examined for ihe
purpose OF ascertalning their character.
4. Ibe mailing of matter lnterdeted by this
act, by citizens. to lottery cOmpanies aud their
representatives. is as clear violation OF the law
as Tie mailing OF such matter by Tie lottery CON-
panies to their customers or other persons.
8. When il is known at the lime Of depositing
them for malingsthat the postal cards or circu-
lars are unmailable under the provisions OF Sec
tiou 1864 above quoted, the Postmaster should
decline 10 receive them III they be found in the
posoiIce and the sender Is unknown 10 The Post
master, or II they be discovered in The mail ln
transit, they should he withdrawn and marked
or stamped "Eraudul np' and sent 10 The Post
master General accompanied by special report
from the Postmaster, explaining the reason for
their detention.
6. The provisions Of this act apply TO letters,
postal caIdS and circulars concerning lotteries Or
similar schemes that may come In tile mails from
foreign countries, and such matter so received
should be treated as II II originated In the United
States.
T. Matter sent In violation Of the provisions OF
Section 1894, discovered by Postmaslers at IN.
termediate Offices, should be Withdrawn from
the mail and disposed Of in The same manner as
II II had been discovered by the Postmaster at
the Office OF mailing or the office OF delivery, but
POstDiasteIs ut intermediate offices should not
delay The transmission of other mall in making
special sea- ch for anything declared by this act
10 be unavailable.
s. Newspapers, pamphlets and publications of
all kinds bearing date or since The 19th day OF
September, 1890, at Which date the act took
effect, which contain advertisements of any lUt-
terry, gift enterprise or similar scheme, or lie
Whole or part OF 4 list OF prizes awarded at the
drawings of lotteries or similar schemes, are by
the provisions OF this act denied carriage in the
mails delivery TO subscribers, addresses, or to
any other persons. or as sample copies" Post
masters should refuse 10 receive them from pub
fishers or deliver them IL by inadverteuee.t they
reach tire office OF destination, and when found
by Postmasiers In the mail in transit tiey should
made 10 the Postmaster General, and iusiruc-
tiOns received from him as 10 dispOsing OF them.
.. Foreign newspapers, pamphlets ana publ
cations OF all kinds, containing printed matter
forbidden by the pi DIVISIONS OF the act, should be
treated as II published in the United States.
10. Clerks III the Railway all Service discov-
ering matter the carriage OF which is orbidden
and forward 10 The respective Division Superln-
leDdents. Division Superinlendeuts Should treat
such matter in the same manner as POStmaSteTS
are herein instructed 10 treat IT,
IL. Tie tenn lottery used In this act en-
braces all kinds Of schemes. general local, for
The distribution OF pTIZes by lot or chance, such
as gift exhibitions, enterprises, concerns,
erty at fairs. Hence, letters, postal cards and
circulars concerning Them aud newspapers.
pamphlets and other publications concerning The
advertisements of them uulnallable.
IL. Tie provisions OF Section 3929 relating to
registered letters and Section 4041, relating to
money orders, apply 10 such matter at The Offices
of delivery only and are 10 be enforced upon
direct orders OF the Postmaster Ge eneTal.
13. Postnasters and other postal officials and
employees are expected TO be diligent In carrying
out The foregoing Instructions for the enforce
meDt Of The provisions OF THIS act,