Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1910-12-23
TAFT, AFTER HEARING ANTI-SA-
LOON COMMITTEE, POST
PONIES HIS DECISION.
PRESIDENT WILL COMPROMISE
Effect of Treaties May Stand in Ter
titory Actually Occupied by
Indians and in Contigu-
Gus Territory.

Taft gave any assurances to the repre-
sentatives of the anti-saloon organiza-
lions and temperance people general
ly, who were at the White House to
confer with him regarding the Indian
liquor problem in Minnesota, that fact
cannot be ascertained at this time.
Presumably he did not state what
his course will be in the matter. He
did, however, postpone for ten days
the rendering of decision as to re-
stricting the dry zone in Minnesota.
The temperance bodies are oppon-
ents of the movement to abrogate a
number of the old Indian treaties
| which FORBID the sale of intoxicating
liquors on any of the Indian reserva-
tiCns in the state.
Result, According to Forecast.
1t is reasonably safe to say that the
final solution of the matter will be an
nounced soon and that it will embody
an executive order by the president an
nulling the operations of the Indian
treaties so far as that action may be
taken as to any of the treaties; and
that by Legislation (Which will be en-
bodied in bills or resolutions to be pre-.
sented in the house by Representative
Miller of Duluth, like action will be
taken as to the treaties which require
the assent Of congress for their modifi-
cation.
The full force and effect Of the
treaties will be permitted to stand
as to the territory within the state
still occupied by Indians who retain
their tribal relations and such i'm
mediate outlying section as would
bring the presence of liquor in close
contract with these wards of the gov
eminent.
Ii this shall be the result, for which
there is every reason to believe the
president and Secretary Ballinger of
the interior department ultimately will
stand, the real meaning of the PROPOSE
ton is that the federal government
will not attempt to enforce the old
Indian treaties over any section of the
state which does not come in contact
with the Indians wards; and that the
existing laws of Minnesota, as they
affect the liquor question and all mat
tiers pertaining to the revenues of the
commonwealth or the interstate traffic
in liquors, medicines containing al
cohol, ETC., will be left to the jurisdic-
ton of the state and to the operation
of it's law.
That this is precisely what the op-
ponents of the liquor sale demand as
to the opinion of the laws in states
where prohibition or local option is in
force, has been shown to the admins
tration officials. In the states where
prohibition is in force these opponents
of the Introduction of liquor ask that
the federal governement shall not in
wade the domain of state legislation,
nor infringe upon the rights of the
states by siding in the introduction of
liquor in defiance of the laws of such
states.
Leaders Who Interview Taft.
Former United States Senator Hen
ry W. Blair of New Hampshire, now
practicing attorney here, was among
the spokesman for the anti-liquor or
CARNATIONS at the White House con-
ference. Among others present were
F. E. Nicholson, legislative representa-
tive of the Anti-Saloon league and
Rev. Wilbur F. Crafts, legislative rep
resentative of the Reform association.
The representative of the Anti-Sa-
loon league asked that the restriction
q csai 77S CT ho
the territory inhabited by the tribal
Indians, but that federal government
efforts be extended to protect citizen
Indians who may be residing outside
of the unceded portion Of the Indian
country.
Mrs. Emma Skellon of Washington,
representing the w. G.. r. u, present
ed letters and petitions from that or
ganization in different sections of
Minnesota asking that the present |
orders and policies, which are intend |
ed to operate to make the greater por- |
ton of the state dry in the interests of |
the Indians be permitted to stand ir- |
revocably. There the matter rests.
tt is unlikely that President Taft |
or the officials of the government di- |
rectly connected with the matter will |
have further hearings upon the ques- |
tons The rights of those who object |
to Minnesota being overridden with |
respect to her internal laws and poll |
cies by federal laws or policies have
been set forth by Governor Eberhart |
and the members of the congressional |
delegation.
The Anti-Saloon advocates have ask
ed protection for the Indians and the
retention of the existing orders. Init
nations have been given that Presi-
dent Taft will strike fair middle
ground between the conflicting ele-
ments and that congress will be asked
to aid in carrying out that policy in
all respects where congressional &C
ton is necessary. When the lines
have been run and the essential dry |
territory has been indicated, no doubt
the precise final plans of the govern
ment will be formally declared.