Year: 1878

The DEMOCRAT has every reason TO be graf
ifed at the result Of the State election. It pre-
sented two issues to the people, and persist
emily, and with all It's ability, fought for
them. These were constitutional collven-
tion and the destruction of morlopolies
bly,, the Louisiana State Lottery Company.


When these positions were first advanced d
powerful opposition was encountered. Single
handed the DEMOCRAT made the fight in the
city OF New Orleans. What is the result on
the monopoly issue2


From It's first number this paper has been
the uncomprOmising opponent Of the Lottery
Company. 1t was looked upon as o danger


Gus enemy Of the State Of Louisiana and Of


the Democratic party, and 1t became the pur-
pose Of the DEMOCRAT to destroy 1t. When
the fight WIS begun, the Lottery Company


was strong and powerful in money and


friends, and it was regarded as the height OF
presumption and folly to attempt to
overthrow 1t. No other English newspaper
in the great city Of New Orleans had the
courage to use it's columns against the all
corrupting monopoly; no opposition to 1t had
ever effected anything, and the struggle ap-
peared to be hopeless. Nothing discouraged
the DEMOCRAT entered the field against the
lottery. The interests OF the people demand
cd that 1t should be broken up and Its corrupt
power destroyed, and it became the mission Of
this paper to accomplish these public benefits.
AS d result of the election Of 1876 it was
hoped that the object had been secured. u
short time however, 1t was discovered that
the Lottery Company had 80 well used It's
great power as to secure a majority OF the
Legislature upon all questions affecting It's
interests.


The lawmakers were found unfaithful to
their trusts and it became necessary to ap-
peal from them to the people. This was done.
The country press generally came to the
support Of the DEMOCRAT. The people, whose
great heart ID always right, responded, and
from all parts OF the city and State the
masses demanded that the lottery must 60
The election approached and In many par
ishes this was made one Of the distinctive
issues. Candidates were nominated who
we're known for their hostility to the Lottery
Company. ..v5& @M@&.." ..- ~


In New Orleans the response YVES almost
unanimous. The attempt to enforce act No.
8 had finally worn out the patience OF long
suffering community, and when Legislative
candidates began to be named citizens de-
manded to know their sentiments upon this
important question. The DEMOCRAT sought
to give every candidate an opportunity to
express himself, and for this purpose caused
u representative to visit the various nominees
and offer them the use Of its columns. The
result developed tho real weakness Of the
Lottery Company before the people. Although
D number Of tho candidates were supposed
to be lottery men, not single one dared
to declare himself IN its fuUor. A few
were non-committal; but the large majority
and in the most emphatic terms,
that they should vote against all
monopolies in the next Legislature, and es-
peCially agni,tst The Louisiana Lottery Com
pany. Three-fourths of the present delega-
tion from the city Is pledged to vote the lot
terry out of existence, and almost every DEM
ocratic member Of the new Legislature from
the country is bitterly hostile to 1t. Nothing
will prevent its final and complete overthrow
the coming winter unless the members Of the
Legislature prove to be unworthy Of the fur
ther confidence Of their constituents, are
to every principle Of honor and
plighted faith, and allow themselves to be
bought by the lottery's money. AS g. large
of the members-elect are known to
be honorable and high-minded men, such
action Is impossible The fate Of the lottery
is sealed, and the DEMOCRAT congratulates
it's country allies, whose influence in the can
vass was SO potent for good, upon the fact.
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