Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1907-04-03

drawn from the other wheel at the
same time. The drawing required hours
and usually was largely attended.
So thoroughly were advertised the
features provided for the insuring Of
an honest drawing that the public soon
became convinced that there was no
chance for jugglery, and SO long as the
company existed the buyers of tickets
purchased in the utmost confidence
that II they did not win 1t was not
because of unfair drawings.
During the late sos the feeling
against the policy part of the scheme
had grown strong in New Orleans.
Policy gambling had run riot for years.
1t had taken such hold on the SER
want and poorer classes that they could
not be trusted with either their own
or other peoples money. A maid sent
to the store for supplies stopped on
the way to play policy with the money
given her by her mistress. The city
was demoralized. 1t was at this time,
under the Howard administration, that
the lottery got into politics. The "lot-
terry" and "antl-lottery" parties sprang
into being. The leader Of the latter
was United States District Attorney
Parlange, Christian gentleman to
whom the evils of policy appealed
most strongly.
Death Blow to the Lottery.
The Issue was whether the charter
Of the company was to be renewed by
the State of Louisiana. The scandals
Of this fght-the charges of bribery
and other muck-throwing- still
fresh in the minds of many. 1t was at
this time that the company came into
malodor throughout the nation. When
the smoke cleared away 1t was found
that the "anti-lottery" party had won.
The finish of this fight compelled the
Louisiana company to find new base
Of operation. Experienced lottery men
declare that Mexico would have been
the logical location. for there lottery
was looked upon as legitimate, and the
government accepted from the lottery
companies tax on gross receipts. But
Honduras, instead of Mexico, was
chosen. This was fifteen years ago,
since which time the concern has been
known as the Honduras National Lot
terry.
Its legal residence abroad, however,
did not change the fact that most of
its sales were in the United States.
The enactment of the Federal law
prohibiting the transmission of lottery
matter through the mails was severe
blow to the business, but not as serious
as was supposed at the time, as the
express companies promptly began the
work of carrying the contraband mat
ter. AS the government fight grew
fiercer even the express companies de-
clined to handle the tickets and lists,
and the company was forced to dis
tribute them by messenger.
The profits Of the Louisiana lottery
crowd during the years of Its existence
can be Appropriated from known fig
ures. For instance, the largest months
business ever done by the company
was the last month before the removal
to Honduras, when $2,4Oo,O0O was
taken In by the lottery. 1t is probable
that the profits from the lottery have
not been less than $25,0OO,OO0, all told.
The plan Of operation called for the
distribution each month of 55 per cent
Of all money taken in for prizes.
Agents commissions averaged 20 per
cent, administrative and miscellaneous
expenses averaged per cent, which
left 20 per cent of net profit. The
gross income of the company figured
on this basis must. then, have been at
least $125,OOOOOO during its life.
Before the government began Its
fight on the Louisiana company win
ming ticket was known to be as good
as certified check and express COM
panles and many banks cashed them.
Il is not only likely, but almost GER
tain, that had the Louisiana company
not debauched the State with policy
1t would have secured twenty-five