The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1890-05-28

granting of lotteries is clearly IRAN
chise or privilege which may be gran
ted by the Legislature for considera-
ton to the highest bidder, but so far
as giving it constitutional existence;
l, for one, will forever oppose it, and
cannot see how any man who is SIN
cerely democratic can do otherwise.
Let its constitutional existence cease
by Limitation in 1895, then let the
State offer the privilege to the highest
bidder for a term of years. Men Will
engage in chance schemes and they
cannot be prevented.
In 1887 there was an exciting CAM
paign in Texas over the proposlt'on'to
Incorporate into the Constitution OF
that State as an amendment clause
prohibiting the manufacture and sale
Of all intoxicating liquors, and yon
aountless will remember its over
whelming defeat Mississippi was
about to do the same thing, but the re-
suit in Texas put check to the move
ment. Such clause in State Con-
stitntion would he an interference with
individual rights and contrary to the
principle enunciated in the declaration
: of rights by the founders of our Fede'
raj government, and the recent decls-
ion of the United States Supreme
. Court in the Illinois Iowa liquor case
i establishes the correctness of the oppo-
nents to this prohibitive clause sought
: to be Incorporated in the organic law
: of Texas.
t In my Judgment there are greater
!, reasons why we should keep this Lot
+ terv clause out of our State Constltu-
y ton unless it shonld belong to the
y State itself, be a part of its govern
IS mental machinery and controlled by
u its own officers. TO establish by the
IS Constitution of the State for the bene
d fit of one man, or corporate body o.
I, men, monopoly franchise like this is
ID unknown in the annals of government
A. and dangerous to the Liberties OF the
u people. The government OF Germany
I'd unable to prevent lotteries and the set
re tied purpose of its people to deal il
is them, in order to prevent danger
e, growing out of their monied power ant
III the corruption incident to them, wa
a compelled to assume supervision owe
i" them.
b. Suppose we give Mr. Morris thl
IT. constitutional right or privilege, VIVA
to will twenty-five millions of dollars b
1t tie him in twenty-five years compare
We with the enormous sum of one billie
Ike of dollars, which would very probabl
he be the amount of his income in tina
nd time, and what would twenty-five mi
'rs lions of dollars be to the people
sn Louisiana with all their vested right
10 swept from the face of the earth =
ss' John A. Morris would own the Stat
II of Louisiana.
to There is vail coming from ever
to section of this country of the oppre
EN- sions of the money powers. The we
tern farmers are groanlng under hea'
out mortgages with accumulating interes
amounting to more than the war de!
70. and which they can never pay. III
OF result may be a landlord tenant sy
icy TEN fastened upon our posterity whit
ees would shame poor Ireland's degrad
ere ton. And here in Louisiana prop
to sition is made to the people by gar
we bling institution to place themselv
to in an attitude to become its ser
I'm, Gold is glittering, present needs
ana tempting, but liberty to our childr
the will be worth them all.
in LUKE W. CoNERLY.
nj.