Swindling Advertisements.
By Editor
MANY of our readers must have noticed the advertisement in many papers of “Rev. J. T. Inman,” giving residence or business office at the “Bible House,” in New York City, formerly a missionary in a foreign land, where he became acquainted with the wonderful healing virtues of a plant, no where else to be found, of which information could be had by applying to him, &c. The man who put forth these advertisements, and received answers directed to “Rev. J. T. Inman,” has lately died, and the following facts have come to light:— His name was not Inman; he never was a minister, and of course not a missionary; he was never in a foreign country; he had no room at the Bible House; efforts had been often made, without success, to compel a suspension of the publication of the falsehood; he dealt in no foreign medicinal plant; and he received from correspondents about $250,000. Those who sent money to this swindler may not be highly gratified to learn these facts; though they may from them learn a lesson to their profit. The Postmaster-General has entered upon a crusade against the venders of lottery tickets, for which all sensible people will give him thanks. He forbids the carrying or delivery of their mails, and all money orders drawn in their favor are to be returned to the senders. Those who have taken the number of tickets and the amount of the prizes, at the lottery gamblers’ own figures, and given large allowances for advertising, estimate that these lottery men, mostly in New Orleans, and their agents in New York, make at least $100,000 a year each. Who feeds this constant drain of the resources of the people? Many, no doubt, are grumbling of hard times who could provide liberally for their families with what they have given to lottery swindlers, saying nothing of the amount wasted in tobacco and beer, or whisky. But, unfortunately, warnings do but little good to them. They love excitement, and suffer themselves to be humbugged without complaining. We say to all, let alone all medical advertisers in the newspapers, and all who promise to give you much for little. Earn your money honestly, throw away nothing foolishly, and practice economy strictly, and hard times will flee from you as if in disgust.