The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1896-10-16

and leading men OF the reservation that
something be done to stop the traffic. as
threatening not only the peace and pros
perity Of families, but the whole future
OF the young men OF the tribes.
"Ths white population cannot escape
the responsibility which rests upon It.
The native race is among us, a weaker
and morally inferior people, and we owe
them such protection as they cannot ex-
ert for themselves. The appetite for In
toxicants seems with them uncomfortable
ii liquors are obtainable.
"We protect by stern enforcement OF
the statute the other wards OF the law,
the minor, the feeble minded and COM
mon drunkard, and we have permitted a
statute enacted for the same purpose as
touchiHg the Indian to remain dead and
neglected, 1t probably has not been en-
forced, first, because the federal govern
ment assumed jurisdiction, and latterly,
because the federal courts have declared
the allotted Indian acitizen. Even though
he is citizen | am Of the opinion that
the constitution and the courts upon the
ground cf public interest will sustain the
law placing the men of Indian blood in
the category named above, requiring the
shield and protection of the state.
"Vhe statute touching the matter is as
follows:
"Chapter 8, sec ton 1891.-If any
person shall, without the authority Of the
United States, or some authorized officer
thereof, sell, barter, or give TO any In
dian or half breed who lives or associates
with Indians any firearms or ammunition
thereof whatever, or any spirituous, malt
or vinouB liquors, such person, upon con-
viction thereof, shall be punished by inn
prisonment in the county jail not less
than two months, nor more than six
months, or by fine not less than one or
more than FIVE hundred dollars.'''
II should doubt the wisdom Of at
tempting the indictment OF liquor dealers
for past offeDHea. They have doubtless
acted upon what has seemed tho accept.
ed belief that since the Indians we're
citizens they were In all respects in the
same category as the whites, Most ga
loonkeepers are law abiding men, who
desire to conduct their business within
the law, and will obey 1t. What is now
needed is q calm, candid examination by
you of the whole situation and such re-
port as shall be future guide to officers
and msgistrates, that the public may be
conversRnt with The situation and the
law in the future enforced
"You have the power to call before
you the officials of the reservation, OF the
county and the cities, the Indians them
selves, the dealers In intoxicants and any
other person who can aid you in the in
veatigation.
"It will require day or two longer
session Of the grand jury and will entail
some public expense for witnesses, but
il in the end 1t curtails crime, sustains
order and law, it will be saving to the
taxpayers, and we shall have been faith.
ful in our duty as citizens in attempting
the protection and elevation Of de-
pendent people,"
E. J. Davis Is. foreman OF the grand
jury, the other members being III. A.
Morse Of Ruddock, L. B. Banks OF Mil
ton, Julius GudeTian OF Echo, j. M. Gill
liland Of Ukiah, T. M. Lockwood OF Helix,
William Kilgc.e of Athena. Mr.. Davis
resides In Milton.
Jurors excused ere w. j. Furnish,
Charles Gross, George Carmichel, Chas.
Hamilton, Matthew Neeves, Fl. B. Mel.
son, and Messrs. Gsult, Ell, Krebs. Hol-
lis and Raymond.
Pot-