Durant weekly news. (Durant, Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 190?-1944, 1916-07-28

into Bryan County While Per
Capita Payment Is Being Made.
Regardless Of the fact that Bryan
County has the reputation Of having
the least violations of the prohibi-
tlon laws in the state, the Federal
evidently propose taking
no chances on booze getting into
this or any of the other river coun-
ties while the per capita payments
are being made to the Indians, and
In this connection u. s. Marshall b.
N. Enloe, OF McAlester, and several
deputies were here yesterday and
betaak themselves to the south part
of the county. where they are watch
ing every road and ferry across Red
Rover. simultaneously with the ar
rival fthe Federal officers here,
the Saturday Morning Advertiser re
ceived the following dispatch from
Muskogee-
THE Act of Congress approved
May 1S. 1915. authorizes per capita
payments to the Chickasaws, Choc-
taws. and Seminoles, effective Ju-
ly 1. 1915, 5000, $500. and S3Os.
respectively approximately nine mil
lion dollars.
"The law provides that these pay
ments shall be made under rules
and regulations prescribed by the
Honorable Secretary of the Interior.
Very liberal rules have been provid-
ed with the idea OF expediting the
payments and directing the money
into the hands of those entitled to
participate. In order that these
moneys may find their way into le-
gitimate and economic channels,
thereby resulting in wholesome ben
eft to the Indians and the commun-
tiles wherein they reside, 1t is fun
damentally important and necessary
that the prohibitoryy laws, both the
State and National, against the Ii
quor traffic and it's attendant evil
and corrupting consequences be rig
idly enforced. Unless and until these
laws are enforced and there is CO
operation between the State and
Federal authorities charged there
under with the enforcement thereof,
these payments will be withheld I'm
such counties and localities where
they are violated.
"It is the desire to make these
payments promptly and not with
hold them. AS an evidence of this
fact, night and day forces have been
at work since July 1st and a consid
rable number of checks have been
mailed to various localities since Ju-
v 18th. Notwithstanding the pay
nent has begun, 1t will be stopped
in counties and localities where IL is
ound at any time there is violation
Of the prohibitory laws. Under date
of July 18th the following telegram
was sent to the sheriffs and county
ttorneys and mayors of the incor-
porated towns in all the counties
mbraced in the Choctaw, Chicka-
aw. and Seminole Nations:
important connection with
per capita payments, have as
surance active enforcement Ii
quor laws by local officers, 9th
tIWi6t may Ot necessary To
withhold payments in localities
where liquor laws are not en-
forced. Commissioned Indian
Affairs very desirous of your
cooperation and that money
finds it's way early date proper
and beneficial channels. Please
answer by letter immediately"
The majority of those addressed
have responded promptly pledgipg
their cooperation and determined
and persistent effort to enforce the
law. In those instances where re-
sponses have not been received, the
payments in those counties will be
topped and withheld until assur.
ances are given OF active co-opera-
ion on the part of the local officers
gre received.
Unfortunately, on account of the
manifest disinclination of some OF
the local officers to cooperate oI
enforce the law in one county where
some checks have been mailed. fur
tier payments have been ordered
withheld. In that county it appears
that a local officer is inclined Meth
er to enforce the law nor to refrain
rom violating 1t himself.
ut is fully appreciated that there
are many citizens in the variou,
communities fhere the prohibitory
WV is not enforced who desire tn,
enforcement and il possible shoulC
rot be affected because of the non
enforcement by their officers, anc
j, is regretted that they should b,
embarracced because of non-enforce
ment. However, their insistenc,
upon enforcement at the hands O
their local officers can result in con
tlnuing the payments in their coun
ties. 1t is the desire that no on,
stall be embarrassed or inconven
enced, but the responsibility is 10
al and should there be any della,
H. -.