Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1909-04-14
DRY ZONE FOR
INDIAN COUNTRY
FEDERAL AUTHORITIES TO USE
TREATY POWERS OUTSIDE
RESERVATION LINES.
MINNEAPOLIS MIGHT BE PUT
INSIDE LIMlT-BREWERS
INTERESTED.


looms In a large section OF northern
Minnesota, including not only the
present reservations, but zone out
side from which it is now possible
for the liquor trade to reach the In
dams. The Indian department has
this authority under the provisions OF
the original Indian treaties cedlng
the land to the whites. These pro-
vided that the federal laws, prohlb-
iting the introduction and sale OF
liquors in the Indian country should
continue to apply to the ceded terri
tory, unless otherwise ordered by
congress.
Technically it is possible for the
federal authorities to close saloons
in nearly all of Minnesota, including
Minneapolis and Duluth. This power
is only to be exercised, however, to
stop the sale of liquor to the Indians
The law enforcement division OF the
Indian department, created last july
is preparing to enforce the treaty
provisions in the present Indian
country, and hundreds of saloons IN
the counties of Cass, Beltraml,
Clearwater, Becker and Mahnomen
will be compelled to close.
F. w. Zollman of st. Paul, attorney
for some of the leading Minnesota
brewers. has been in Washington sew
eral times to confer with Secretary
F. E. Leupp of the Indian department,
and with the head of the law enforce
ment division, to agree on the limits
of the dry zone. The terms of this
agreement are not yet known, but the
zone will extend over considerable
territory outside of the actual reser-
vations. 1t will close saloons in the
village of Bena, for instance, in Cass
county. which is outside the reser-
walton. but has much Indian trade.
The prohibitioEists are not losing
their chance to make capital out of
the situation. They are insisting
that the treaty provisions should be
enforced over the whole of the terri
tory ceded including Minneapolis,
Duluth and nearly all the cities OF
Minnesota outside of st. Paul and
those lying south along the river
Rev. George F. Wells of the prohi-
bition state committee, editor Of the
party's state organ, The Northwestern
Patriot said:
'The law in the hands Of the inter
ior department is very plain, and it is
the duty of the department to enforce
AZ ,cin HOY
stand. | don't see how the officials
can discriminate and enforce the
treaty in a part of the territory and
not in all of it,
AS far as Minneapolis is con.
cerned, the treaty could be suspend.
This applies to all the land ceded by
the Sioux in 1851, and also to the
northwestern corner Of the state, ced-
ed by the Chippewas in 1868. The
treaty of 1855, by which the north
eastern and north central portion OF
the state was ceded by the Chippewa
is different 1t could be changed
only by act of congress. The word
ing of the three treaties differs con-
siderably as to restrictions of the
sale of liquor. The 1851 and 1863
treaties apply only to spirituous
liquors, while that of 1855 covers ar
dent spirits, wines or other liquors .
Even if the treaties were enforced.
Minneapolis could have its beer st.
Paul would not be dry in every re-
spect, and would even have to close
it's breweries.
Copies of all the treaties are in the
records of the state historical So
ciety. The Traverse des Sioux
treaty of 1851, made with the Sisse-
ton and Wahpeton bands of Sioux,
and conveying nearly all OF southern
minnesota, provided as follows on the
subject of liquor:
The laws of the United States
prohibiting the introduction and sale
of spirituous liquors in the Indian
country shall be in full force and eff
feet throughout the territory hereby
coded and lying in Minnesota until
otherwise directed by congress or
the president of the United States"
me treaty OF lS55s with the Miss
issippi, Pillager and Lake Winnibi-
goshish bands of Chippewa, con-
tanned the provision:
The laws which prohibit the intro
duction, manufacture, use of and
traffic in ardent spirits, wines or other
liquors, in the Indian country, shall
continue and be in force within the
entire boundaries of the country
herein coded TO the United States. I'M
til otherwise provided by congress.
The treaty made with the Chippe-
wa, as to the Red Lake and Penn
bina bands in 1868. said:
The laws of the United States,
now in force, or that may hereafter
be enacted prohibiting the introduc-
ton and sale of spirituous liquors in
the Indian country, shall be in full