The Opelousas courier. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1852-1910, 1891-07-11
a Mean.Spirited Attack.
IT Is PROMPTLY ANSWERED IN A MANLY
WAY.

WAL
A writer under the non de plume Of
" Historian evidently knowing Gen.
Leon Jastremski's large acquaintance
and popularity in Shreveport, seeks to
iniure him in that comm unity by unkind
illusions in the Caucasian in reference
to the pending lottery revenue amend
ment to the constitution. In response
the assailed gentleman, among other
things, says:
"We have never argued that the
charter should be granted to Mr.. Nor
ris as favor to him or recompense
for service rendered, but purely and
simply because we thought that it was
to the advantage of the State to do it.
"Who are or may be his associates in
the offer, cuts no figure in the transac
ton at all, and we have never taken
the trouble to inquire; nor do we care a
straw.
"The mention of other names by
Historian and his evident attempt to
lead the reader to infer that we are now
cheek by jowl with the Republicans,
is wholly unwarranted by any remark
we have ever made, and it is intended
to place MS in a false light before our
friends
alt is but pitiful revamping of the
stale, very stale chestnut, that has been
going the rounds of the anti papers, to
arouse prejudice against the lottery re-
venue amendment and all its advocates.
For example, the name of Pinchback
is used somewhat like bloody shirt,
but good care is taken not to couple the
mention of his name with his appoint
ment as member of the School Board
by no less an anti than His Excel
lency, Gov. Francis T. Nichols.
"Surely man whom Governor Mic
hollis commissioned to supervise the
education of the children of the State
ought not to be SO Objectionable as a
lottery director or stockholder, if it be
true that he occupies such position.
We have no hesistancy in stating
our position on the lottery question, IN
the past or at present, and had we
changed our views about it at any time,
would not think that such change JUS
tilted any one in questioning our mo-
tives. But 1t happens that we have al
ways believed lotteries were legiti-
mate source of revenue to State and
we never regarded them as the immoral
things that some people have come tc
do in late years.
1--WE voted for the extension of the
lottery charter in the convention ol
1879, because a provision was made
authorizing the Legislature to charter
other lotteries, and in that way in
crease the revenues from that source
When applications for other charters
were made, we then strongly advocated
their adoption by the Legislature. W.
would have opposed the recharterlng a
this time had the sum offered to th'
State been disproportionate with ths
increased business of the company; bu
when a million, and afterwards a mil
lion aud quarter per annum were Of
fered, we favored the submission of th,
proposition to the people and it's &C
eeptance.
1--WE rarely indulge in personalities
as they are extremely distasteful to US
Historians lunge at the editor of thi
paper is not in response to any asper
sion leveled at him. Hence, it is who'll,
gratuitous.
''Now, we have to say to him, tia
the way to attack man is not after th
fashion of the Mafosi, behind th
mask of an assumed name. If he wishe
to contrast his superior virtues AM
patriotic services with the short com
ings of the editor of the Review, let hir
raise his vizor that we may see if hi
pretensions are well founded. Then
too, Historian must do what he faile
to do in his communication, 1. e., con
fine himself to the truth.
'If his object was to browbeat u
into silence, he has egregiously failed
If he intended to draw US into a person
al quarrel, then we stand ready to &C
commodate him on short notice.