Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1890-07-30
THE LOTTERY OCTOPUS.
Its Evil Influence Denounced
by the President.
WASHINGTON FULL OFITs AGENTS.

The President Says the National Capital
Has Become sub-IIeadquarters for the
Louisiana Company, and That tho Police
and Postal Clerks Have Been Corrupted.
WASHINGTON, July s0-The president
has sent the following message to congress:
The recent attempt TO secure charter
from the state Of North Dakota for a lot
terry company-the pending effort to obtain
from the state Of Louisiana a renewal N
the charter Of the Louisiana State Lottery.
and the establishment Of one or more lot
terry companies at Mexican towns near our
border, have served the good purpose Of
calling attention to an evil Of vast proper
lions II the baneful effects Of these lot
teries were confined to the states that give
the companies corporate powers and III
cense to conduct the business, the citizens
Of other states being powerless to apply
legal remedies, might clear themselves Of
responsibility by use Of such moral agen-
cies as were within their reach. But the
case Is not 30.
THE people Of all the states are de-
bauched and defrauded The vast sums
Of money offered to the states for charters
are drawn from the people OF the United
States, and the general government
through it's mail system is made the ef-
feetive and profitable medium OF inter
course between the lottery company and
It's victims. The use of the mails is quite
as essential TO the companies as the state
license.
Deadly Blow 30 the Companies
II would be practically impossible for
these companies 70 exist IL the public mails
were once effectively closed against their
advertisements and remittanees The use
OF the mails by these companies Is pros
ttution OF an agency only intended to
serve the purposes of legitimate trade
and decent social intercourse II IS not
necessary | am sure, for me to attempt to
portray the robbery of the poor and the
widespread corruption Of public and pri-
vate morals which are the necessary incl
dents Of these lottery schemes
Lottery Agents at Washington.
The national capital has become a sub
headquarters of the Louisiana Lottery com
pany, and it's numerous agents and attor.
neys are conducting here business, proba-
bly, larger use of the mails than that Of
any Legitimate business enterprise in the
District of Columbia There seems to be
good reason To believe that the oOrrupting
touch of these agents has been felt by the
clerks IN the postal service and by some Of
the police officers OF the District Of Colum-
bia- Severe and effective legislation should
be promptly enacted to enable the post
office department TO purge the mails af AL
letters, newspapers and circulars relating
20 this business The letter Of the post
master general, which transmit herewith
points out the Inadequacy OF the existing
statutes, and suggests legislation that
would be effectual
To Close Another Avenue.
1T may also be necessary 10 so regulate
the carrying Of letters by the express com
panles as to prevent the use OF those aCen
cies % maintain communication between
the lottery companies and their agents or
customers in other states. IL does not
seem possible that there can be any divi-
sion of sentiment as to the propriety OF
closing the mails against these companies.
and / therefore venture TO express the
hope that such proper powers as are neces-
sary 70 that end will be at once given to
the postofiice department
"BENJAMIE HARRIsoN.p
MIR. Wanamaker's Letter.
In his letter TO the president the post
master general says that the urgency and
necessity of the case impels him TO antici-
pate his annual report by this special com
munioation IN regard to the use Of the
mails by the Louisiana Lottery company
After detailing the action Of the depart
ment in this matter in the past, the post
master general says that It is manifest
that the object Of the law has been sue
cessfully thwarted, and that without ad-
ditional legislation the mails must con-
fiuup IN rarry thfa aioqc of p,attr.~ II.