The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-12-18


Il was evident some months ago that the
louisiana Lottery Company would cause a
split in the Democratic party Of that state.
As soon as the lottery company announced
its purpose 20 apply for twenty-five years
extension Of its charter, indications became
apparent that if the company persisted in
its purpose the party would be
divided into two factions Il was be-
/ lieved by some of the party leaders.
however, that the party Organization could
be kept intact, and they Earnestly endeav-
ored TO accomplish that object. The breach
between she lottery and the anti lottery
forces steadily widened, however, and, as
our dispatches stated yesterday, the split
occurred Tuesday when the state conven-
ton met at Baton Rouge.
The bait which the lottery company held
out to the people OF the state was a very
a,luring one. II agreed to pay into the
state treasury 81. $4,000 annually. to be
applied to the school. leves and asylum
funds. That sum is almost sufficient 70
supply the wants Of the state government,
and 1t is not 10 be wondered at, therefore,
that good many of the taxpayers imme-
diately became strong supporters of the lot
terry company's application for an extension
OF its charter. The better element of the
people, however, arrayed themselves against
the proposed extension for the reason that
the lottery company has a demoralizing
| effect upon the people and takes a great
deal more from them than the company
| proposed to return.
There is provision in the state constitu-
| xxvbf lob
was placed In the constitution in 1879 by
the constitutional convention which met
that year. 1t was the result Of an agreement
with the lottery company, the company
| agreeing that IL not disturbed until 1898
/ it would ask no more favors from the state
| 1t did not keep its agreement, however. Its
business increased wonderfully and became
so profitable that its shares, the par value
of which is $780, sold for as much as 81, 400.
The company determined not to give up
such business. 1t went before the last
legislature and asked that constitutional
amendment be submitted TO the people null
hfying the provision forbidding lotteries
after 1898, and extending the company's
charter for twenty-five years
The fight in the legislature was a long
and bitter one, but the company won, and
the proposed amendment goes before the
people Of the state at the next election.
There will be two democratic tickets In
the field at the next election One will
represent the lottery element and the other
| will be against it. And there Is no doubt
there will be a republican ticket The
shrewd republican leaders of the state think
they see a chance to get control of the state
government again, aud it must be admitted
they have pretty good chance for doing So
| The democrats will be divided on the lot
terry issue and that is the only issue that
will command attention. II the republicans
were thoroughly organized and properly
| directed they might step into power be-
tween the two warning factions They are
not, however, organized, and it il far from
certain that they can be by the time the
election occurs.
1t is unfortunate for the Democratic party
in Louisiana that there is such a thing as
a lottery company in the state. Had the
constitutional convention of 1879 known
what is now known Of the evil effects Of the
lottery, il would have carried out its orig
lnal intention and put a clause IN the COM
stitution that would have closed the state
against all lotteries. The company was not
then as financially strong as 1t has since
become, and would not have undertaken to
gain another quarter Of century Of life by
the free use of money.
1t cannot be predicted with any degree Of
certainty what the result Of the fractional
fight that has been inaugurated will be.
But it looks very much as if the lottery
company would carry its point.