The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1911-01-09
TEMPERANCE FORCES
At WASHINGTON SPLIT
Continued from rage one.

COnLlnueQ uTom rage OnSs
certain official representatives of the
liquor trade in that state. Matters
got to a point where in order to pro-
tect the Indians, the enforcement of
ficers of the Indian bureau were prac-
tically compelled to invoke the pro-
visions of these treaties. The bureau
and the interior department are not,
in my judgment, in any wise censur-
able for doing So The Indian bureau
is particularly to be commended for
it's policy with regard to the suppress
sion of the traffic in intoxlcants among
Indians.
Second: Both personally and offic-
tally ! dislike to see any territory
lost to the policy of prohibition and
if these treaty provisions had been
uniformly recognized and enforced
continuously during their existence.
should feel that we were warranted
in making a vigorous protest against
their abrogation at this time. On the
other hand, it is a well known fast
that they have not, been and that they
have only been revived and brought
into operation during the last several
years. The treaties were unquestion-
ably entered into for the protection
of the Indians and they are scarcely
defensible upon any other theory.
1t has seemed to me that since the
question has been put squarely before
you, we are not justified in making
a vigorous protest against the abroga-
ton OF these treaty provisions in 50
far as territory is concerned which has
i -f Tad Ianv, L.
is no longer occupied by Indians, is
to all intents and purposes white"
territory, and in which for many
years these treaties were not invoked
and the very existence OF them was
practically unknown, in view Of the
fact that temperance people all over
the country are just now properly de-
manding local self government in the
matter Of the regulation or prohibition
of the liquor traffic.
/ have been an active advocate of
legislation to insure to the states full
control OF the liquor traffic untram-
meled by outside interference. and 1t
seems to me that the policy above OUT
lined is the consistent one for our
people under the circumstances.
Third / am willing to take this po-
sition under all the circumstances pro-
vided and in taking executive action
in this matter you will exempt enough
territory surrounding Indian reserva-
tions as will insure to the Indian resi-
dent therein ample protection from the
introduction of liquors from the sur
rounding country
AS have studied the situation, there
appears to be strong administrative
reasons why the Chippewa treaty of
1855 should be maintained intast, but
this treaty can be abrogated only by
act of congress, and indulge the hope
that if any question is raised concern
ing it, executive recommendation to
that end Will be withheld.
/ take the liberty also Of calling at
tention to the fact that for the proper
protection of Indians in the north
eastern portions of South Dakota, and
particularly around the school at
Brownsville, the territory embraced In
at least two counties-and possibly
more--should be exempted in any or
der affecting such treaty stipulations.
refer to the counties of Big Stone
and Traverse in the state Of Mime
sofa which in my judgment ought to
De eXcluued In the aDfOgaIlOn or any
treaty stipulations in which they are
now embraced
The same suggestions apply to the
provision in the treaty of 1868 with the
Indians in the northwestern corner OF
Minnesota. There are strong admin
istrative reasons why Red Lake and
Roseau counties and the eastern por-
ton OF Polk and Marshall counties in
Minnesota should be reserved and
maintained as Indian country"
In taking this view of the situation
as 1t has developed in the state Of Min
nesota, 1T seems to me that we place
ourselves in an attitude where strong
measures for the enforcement Of laws
and treaties forbidding the introduce
tion and sale OF intoxicants in dis
tinctively Indian country can be most
successfully defended and the neces-
sary ample protection for the continue
ance Of this humanitarian work can be
surely secured
Chop Sousy, at hathskeiler. Moorhead.