Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1892-02-04
The Louisiana State Lottery
Will Not be Rechartered.
J. A. MORRIS, PRINCIPAL OWNER
Will Withdraw the COmpany's Proposition for
Twenty-Five Years Extension.
The Wedge That Split the Democratic
Party of louisiana to Pass Out Of
Existence Beyond ali Possible
ity of Resurrection.
Special to The Gazette.


NEW ORLEANS. La, Feb. 3.-John A.
Morris, the principal owner and director Of
the Louisiana state lottery company, will
give notice in the newspapers tomorrow
morning that he intends to withdraw his
proposition for the recharter of the COM
pany, to wind up its business and retire
from the field when its charter expires in
1894
The action is the result Of the decision Of
the United States supreme court declaring
the constitutionality of the anti-lottery
postal law, which shuts the lottery company
out of the mail and prohibits it from sending
any circular or tickets through the mail and
prohibits and Furnishes under heavy pen
atty the sending of any newspaper contain
ing notices or advertisements Of lotteries.
Mr.. Morris says that he is law abiding
citizen and intends TO obey the law, and
since the supreme court declares that the
anti-pOstal act is constitutional it precludes
him from using the mails for the purpose of
carrying on his business. This so cripples
the business that it is impossible TO carry il
on and pay the state of Louisiana license
of 81, go, coo a year, as the amendment
extending the charter OF the COM
pauy proposes, without actual loss
10 the stockholders, therefore for
himself and the six associates he will de-
cline the proposed amendment extending
the charter Of the company for twenty-five
years, and even should the people vote for
that amendment and extend the charter, he
viii refuse to accept the proposition.
This ends forever the great lottery
which has been waging in law for the past
two years, and which has brought about
a serious split in the Democratic party
and the nomination of two Dem ocratic
tickets. The contest has been waging for
nearly three years, and the lottery COM
pany IS popularity reported 70 have expended
between three and five million dollars
submitted to the legislature was TO pay
$1,25O,O00 q year for an extension Of
its charter for twenty-five years.
After brisk fight in the legis-
lature this proposition was carried. A
long campaign followed, which resulted in
the success Of the pro-lottery men,
who received a majority in the
Democratic convention. The oppo-
uents of the lottery bolted, and there
were two conventions, one nominating Nc
Emery for governor as straight Democrat,
the other Foster as an anti-lottery Demo-
crat. The action of Mr.. Morris
settles the question beyond the
possibility Of resurrection.
In order that the amendment may be sub
mitted to the popular vote, the lottery com
pany must file thirty days before the cleo
ton bond for 50, 900. 900. Mr.. Morris will,
of course, refuse 70 file this now, and there
fore cannot accept the offer Of an extension
of the charter, and indeed it is doubtful il
the votes cast in favor Of the lottery
amendment would count.
1t is not certain what the effect OF Mr.
Morris action will be politically. The
anti-lottery Democrats offered TO make no
nomination, to retire altogether from
the field and let the pro-lottery men
have all the officers, if they would
adopt a resolution declaring against the
lottery Whether they will do so now that
they have held their convention and nomi-
mated their state ticket is doubtful.