The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1910-07-25
BEMIDJI SALOONS LEFT ON
OUTSIDE OF DRY DISTRICT
Will Not Be Closed by New Order of Commissioner OF
Indian Affairs as Long as Business Is Conducted
Properly-Moorhead Can Sell Beer.

missioner OF lnQlan a1alrS al
Washington. The line runs dow 4
the east line of Range "a west ia
near the county line and then over
to Cass county. This makes Be.
midi the only wet town from
Crookston to beyond Deer River.
The towns in the district are
divided into two classes. The first
is partially dry, being closed to
whisky, brandy, rum, gin, or any
distilled liquor. The second is
closed to liquors of every kind and
description. Malt liquors, such as
beer and wines can be sold in cities
of the first class.
Liquor dealers in the new district
who have not already been closed up
will be given until September IS to
dispose of their goods. William
Johnson, chief special officer, has in
structed his deputies to see that the
order of the commissioner is strictly
enforced. He has also stated that he
hopes that the dealers in the towns
surrounding the new dry district will
conduct their business in such a
manner that further extension of
the boundaries will be unnecessary.
The Indian commissioner says
that the territory has been limited
to the districts close to the reser-
walton because of the limited approp-
ration available for the suppression
of the liquor traffic among the
dams. Deputies have been instructed
to operate actively in the new terri
tory so that desired end may be
accomplished without further ex-
tension of the boundaries.
Moorhead has been placed IN
the first class and will only be
allowed to sell beer and wines.
Whether or not this will suit the
brewers there is not known at the
present time. Fargo is just across
the river from Moorhead and as
North Dakota has been dry for
many years, the Fargo people
have obtained their drinks from
Moorhead. 1t is claimed by some
that Fargo people are financially
interested in the Moorhead saloons
and will fight before they allow
them to be closed.
The action of of the commissioner
is based on treaties with the Indians
in 1851, 1855 and 1868 when they
coded their lands to the United
States. 1t was made a provision
in those treaties that the laws regu-
lating the liquor traffic in the lands
at that time should be enforced by
the governmental officials until
changed by Congress or the presi-
dent. The Indians turned the re-
strictions under which they were
then living over to the government
for enforcement.
The Circular.
Following is the circular issued,
from the Department of the In
terror, by Chief Officer John son to
his deputies. ,-- -.
To those lnterested:- ...s
Alteration is called to the follow
ing instructions from the Homer
able Commissioner of Indian At
fairs relative to the enforcing OF
certain treaty stipulations in the
state of Minnesota.
The laws of the United States pro-
hibiting the introduction and sale
of liquor into the Indian country
are applicable to the lands in the
State of Minnesota coded to the
United States by the several treaties
with the various bands of Sioux and
Chippewa Indians. towit:
Sioux.
ARTICLE S, treaty with the Sioux
Sisseton and Wahpeton bands, Act
of Congress of July %, 1881.
1.-The laws of the United States
prohibiting the introduction and
sale of spurious liquors in the In
dian country shall be in full force
and effect throughout the territory
hereby coded and lying in Minnesota
until otherwise directed by Congress
or the president of the United States.