The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-11-06

prizes offered is 1,014. These prizes run from $500, the next best to the grand prize. down to 40 cents. If the winning number was 6,755, the party holding the number 6,755 would be en- titled to $500, the last three numerals of each figure being the same. If the holders number was 1.075. he would
 be entitled to 40 cents, the last nu- neral only corresponding. Tickets are 31 silver, but can be split up in 20 cent parts.
 The drawing is conducted very sys- tematicalIy Slips containing numbers are put into twenty-five or thirty round wooden receptacles, the covers are then screwed tightly down, and the entire | lot placed in a cylindrical basket which is revolved rapidly for several minutes and until there is no doubt the tickets have been we'll mixed. The basket Is then opened and a wee mite of girl thrusts in her hand and takes her pick. This Is the first numeral of the grand prize, and Is immediately posted on the wall. The performance Is repeated un- l til the four numerals have been drawn. The Alcalde, or Mayor. Is obliged by law to be present at all the drawings, The grand prize is frequently drawn, but more often 1t is not, the lucky number being among the unsold tickets' and in this case the company plays Tn the lucky role. There are hundreds or
 people in the city who lay aside so
 much every week for lottery tickets. and during the first days of the week the lottery sellers make the rounds of their regular customers. One man told me recently that he had invested $1 a week in the scheme for eighteen years. representing an outlay or S936 and had won one prize of $500. The majority of the people who win grand prizes immediately proceed to have a high old time with 1t. but an exception occurred a week ago Sunday when young lad was the winner. and two steamer. and upon reaching the States will enter school.
 J. Gabriel Duque is the largest stock holder. and the founder of the Panama lottery. The mantle of actual manage ment. however. of late years has fallen largely on his son. Carlos Dudue. who is manipulating the defensive opera tons in the existing legal contest. On October 24.4 41ss3. the departmental gov ernment of Panama passed a law grant ing n lottery concession to Duoue. This act known as Law No. abolished the act of the previous year providing for State lottery. The concession went into effect on January 1. 1884. and ex- pires on the first day of January. 1909. at which time under the provisions of the act. the enterprise revarts to the government without compensation. In 1884. the firm of Dudue Bros. was form ed and operated the concession until 1890, when the partnership was dis solved. In 1891. the present company was formed which not only includes among its stockholders some ot the best business men of the city. but the bishop of the diocese. and some of the Catholic sisters as well. The company is capl- talized at s200.o0o. with 6 stock divis- ion of 2.o00 shares.
 Of the total value of each drawing
 the lottery company pays into the
 treasury of public instruction per administration fund. and there is ap- portioned between the hospitals, asylums. and other public institutions
 If the actual number of tickets sold
 pass the thousand mark. then IF per cent of the total value pro-rated half and half between the above funds is
 paid over. The law also requires that the premiums shall constitute s4 per cent of the total value of the tickets which completes, each drawing.
 Tn case of any fslsifcation of figures,
 or violation of the law in any respect, the company must stand a-fine of S5.ooo,
 which goes to the piblic instruction
 fund. Up to the presnt time, no such
 violation has occurred.
 The central figure in tqis eKescn 70