The Cheyenne Daily Leader

THE PROPOSED LOTTERY.

When the proposition was suggested very recently, that the legislature authorize the establishment of a lottery for the purpose of raising funds to build an opera house in Laramie, we supposed that it was merely one of the suggestions that flow so numerously upon speculative occasions. But it seems that they are in earnest about it, and the projectors appointed a committee to see the members of the assembly about it.

The plan involved is as follows: That the legislature authorize a lottery to the extent of $100,000; that amount, when raised, to be applied to the purchase of a site and the erection of an opera house building, the whole to belong to Laramie City and the proceeds or profits, to be applied to establishing a public library, etc.

It is surprising to see that several gentlemen are interested in this matter now, who were instrumental, two years ago, in enacting a law suppressing lotteries in this territory. That law as it stands on our statute books, is a noble one, and deserves to rank with our many other progressive laws, such as that one conferring the right of suffrage upon women, and the many others that confer upon women greater rights than they possess in most states.

We cannot believe that the legislature will authorize the establishment of the proposed lottery. It matters not whether a lottery be sanctioned by law and sanctified by a noble mission, it is wrong. Our government has so regarded and treated lotteries, and for Wyoming to come in at this time, and after making such a good record on the question, and legalize a lottery, would be to throw away our good name to be kicked and buffeted in the columns of the national press.

If the proposed scheme were one that could be authorized and carried out by Laramie City alone, and that burg could be held solely responsible for the same, we wouldn't have a word to say. But this is a territorial matter. The citizen at Evanston, South Pass, Powder River, Jenny's Stockade or Hazard, is just as much interested as the citizen of Laramie City, and we doubt not that the popular voice is against the proposed lottery.