The Bessemer indicator., 1894-11-10
INDIANS AND WHISKY
THE AGENTS HAVING TROUBLE
Itecent Dicisions Permitting the snis of
Liquor to Indians on Allotted Lands
Complicates the Problem Dave Days
Report.

hepOrts
Washington, Nov. 5.-Thc Indian de-
partmeht is finding 1t n difficult matter
to prevent the sale of liquor to the In
dians. The most difficult problem has
been presented in recent court deci-
slons in which 1t is declared that In
dians who have taken their lands in
severalty are citizens of the United
States, aud that it Is no longer CON
trary to law to sell liquor to them.
Two or three decisions have already
been made to that effect and the no
tice of Judge Egerton of South Da-
kota to the United States grand jury
to present no more indictments against
persons selling liquor to Indians on
allotted lands looks rs If the courts
were going to take the view of the
case that no restrictions should be
placed on Indian citizens. In reports
submitted by various Indian agents to
the commissioner of Indian affairs.
the fact is pointed out that it is being
very difficult to prevent the sale Of
liquor to Indians, not only on account
of the fact that the courts have rccog-
niZcd Indians having taken allotments
IT'S citizens, but for other causes. The
agents of the Southern Utcs in Colo
RADIO expresses his opinion of the whis-
ky traffic and n noted chief III the fol
lowing.
when the department realizes that
I-have n reservation with 26D miles of
border and am subjected TO the law
less deeds of every tough class of
whites and Mexicans, the task of reg
ulating the evil of traffic in villninous
b ,... lie, l1I
be estimated. However, by rewards
which I agree to pay out of my own
funds. / have ut least succeeded in
curbing the evil to a commendable cX-
tent. The standing reward is SO, to
be paid upon conviction
This same agent. David r. Day, Is
rather independent and caustic in his
remarks on general features of the
agency. or the agricultural pursuits
he says: "Realizc that this has been
an Indian agency for eighteen years
and preceding agents and farmers have
never grown Il bale of lay, pint of
seed or pound of vegetables upon an
agency farm. To be candid, for polit-
ical agents and political farmers are
the crowning curse of the Indian ser
vice, l stated that the yield would be
light. 1t will, but we have better
stands, and greater yield than our
white neiEhbors and this in the face
of an Unprecedented drought The In
dian farmer labored diligently during
the irrigation season and If the honor
able commission will take time to fig
IRE upon the per capita issue of rations
ut this agency, the fact will be re-
vealcd that in addition to doubt as to
future home, absence of instruction,
want of implements and essentials,
fIn to fnp ,nt T,tI IrfIt
customCd to an empty stomach during
business hours. To conclude, farming
here with possibly four exceptions is
n farce for which Congress alone Is
responsible"
In closing his report Agent Day says:
"As the honorable commissioner has
ordered facts, and excluded 'rose-col-
orcd' rccitals. l have endeavorcd to
give them and aside from what has
been told under appropriate headings,
will say that the agent during his
brief incumbency has been reported
for 'irreguiarity,' and investigated, He
has discharged two farmers to give
them II chance to learn something
about agriculture and less about re-
porting tho agent; has violated the
rules when business methods justified
the breach; has an enemy in about
every white and Mexican upon the bor-
ders, and has lost the esteem of mer-
chants who labor under the belief that
the government should have 80 RSx
cent. more than individuals for their
commodities"
and again. trust in case am not
disturbed to have the Indian prob
lem solved ut an early date
TO the honorable commissioner and
his assistant, General Frank G.. Arm
strong | am indebted for advice as
sistance and instructions of Il bene-
fetal character. l realize fully that
congressional letharEy has rendered
this agency so far as permanent ben
Gifts extend. the toughest proposition
In the Indian service and feel indeed
grateful for the assistance extended
under prevailing conditions. Trusting
that another season will find conditions
reversed and the blankets thrown
aside for the plow and branding iron,
/ am, etc"