The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1902-06-27

4
lconsigned to the Winchester house, via
the N. P. Ry. and are delivered to it as
openly as barrels of sugar are to the
Pembina merchants.
i A few weeks ago, on account of The
intermeddling OF some busybodies, the
hotel was actually closed, and chaos pre-
vailed. Pembina staggered on under the
threat. that it would be made to look like
80 cents, when one OF its leading mer-
chants circulated rush order petition
around thai should be allowed to open.
up again unn:olested, using the argument
that it brought trade to fembina." The
principle involved is the same as if one
of our merchants took around petition
i to allow one vi our clearinghouse keep
ers to keep few prostitutes OH his prem.
ises, because it would bring trade to st.
| Vincent; the St. Vincent merchant and
his petition would, probably, have been
flung into the Red River, while the Penn
bina gentleman is reserved to take
leading position, and carry flag in the
temperance procession.
With the church and temperance peo-
pie as inactive as clans, the business peo-
pie pet'tioning for the reopening of the
Winchester, the district. state, county and
city officials, either patrons, protectors
or spectators of illegal liquor selling, and
the citizens generally, morally blind, edi-
tors Wardwel & Thompson are in
sore plight and dare not denounce the
rank smelling plague spot under their
noses.
This article was sent to Mayor CHS
holm before publication, with the offer
that if the city council would stop illegal
liquor traffic in the city of Pembina in
future, and to stop it is to stop it, this ar
ticle would not be published"
We copy the above editorial which is
to appear in this weeks St. Vincent New
Era, for several reasons, principally,
however, as news matter, as there will
be naturally desire among the interest
ed parties, which practically includes
every citizen of Pembina, as we'll as
others, to read what Editor Deacon has
said about them and their neighbors.
The story as printed is such as could
be made from the gossip and scandal Of
any town. 1t is mixture of truth,
guesses and charges. Many positive
statements are made, of which it is self
evident no positive proof can be made.
Many other statements are made that are
absolutely false, and if we had made such
statements as truth in this paper, we
should certainly expect number Of
suits for criminal libel to follow, and be
mulcted for the penalties. So far as the
PIONEER EXPRESS is concerned, it will
admit that it is ''airaid," if for no better
reason, to wilfully villify and libel any
body.
The whole tenor and subject of the
editorial quoted seems to be conferred on
one fact, that there has been for some
time blind pig attachment to the Win
chester House.
Editor Deacon declares that every
body, city aud county officials, citizens,
W. c. T. u, ministers, etc., have joined
together to assist or to condone this Of
tense against prohibition law. Such
statement is false on its face. The story
that efforts were made in behalf of the
| Winchester House, is True, just this far,
that the bar was first to be completely
closed for all future me, and Editor
Deacon and his Pembina informant will.
fully pervert the facts in their statement
to the opposite.
Further, as more complete refutation,
the Winchester House has been COM
planned of, the proprietor has appeared
before the justice Of the peace, and was
put under bonds to appear at the district
court, to answer to the charge of selling
intoxicating. liquors.
| A few words as to the motives Of the
copied article. The informant at Penn
bina has his own personal griefs and am
Tbitions. But the principal motives Of
Editor Deacon are not those which in
spire prohibitionist, moraist, or an
upholder of North Dakota laws. Mr..
Deacon owns half interest in the ferry
between Pembina and St. Vincent. When
liquor is for sale on this side he misses
good many fve-cent fares. There are
three saloons in St. Vincent; they also
miss the dimes and quarters spent on
this side. Hence these tears. Editor
Deacon is naturally, personally and fin
ancially interested in seeing the laws en-
forced on this side of the river, and so
are his saloon constituents.
Another fact crops up here. The blind
pigger finds his worst enemies among
those of his own kind. Respectable peo-
pie do not like to mix in this sort of
deal. They will tolerate and suffer much
before they will move. 1t is, however,
not tfear" SO much as disgust
:Pembina at the polls would declare for
prohibition by large majority. St.
Vincent people have local option, and
license saloons. by vote.
We are willing, however, that the New
Era and the St. Vincent people through
their legal agents, the saloon men, should
perform their self-imposed duties as
scavengers for Pembina; only that they
do not also attempt to load respectable