The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1916-01-11
KEEPING RED EYE. /. !.
FROM THE REDSK (.
Old Indian Treaties Being
Enforced With that End
in View. ...si
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as Assoe.ated Press),

I. tBy ASSOCIATED Ere5s1 -a!,.ss j 4 81
WASHINGTON, Jan. ia dramat.
ic story Of the governments fight TO-
stop the sale Of liquor tn. ndlana is
outlined by Cato Sells, Commtssl
OF Indian Affairs. So well have the
efforts OF the Indian service succeeded,
he said. that the traffic is virtually
broken up. IN
Not only has the government cut
the sale of liquor to Indians on reser-
vations and elsewhere. but in one in
stance it has made affth of state
dry through enforcement of SIXTY.
year.old Indian treaty: Older treaties
are being studied now tosidetermine
If saloons in other territory partly
populated by Indians can be closed.
Minnesota Is the state in which a
vast area was freed OF saloons by
treaty enforcement. The agreement
revived by the government is, known
as the Chippeaw treaty of 1856. For
many years its provisions regarding
the sale of whiskey had been forgot
ten until one day last summer 1t was
discovered in the Indian Bureau here
that the convention was a perpetual
bar to the sale of intoxicants in north
west Minnesota.
Indian officials determined to en-.
force the treaty and began, TOGO, the
study OF similar agreements in other
states. On October 20 last an order
went forth that saloons in several OF
the larger towns must close within 10
days. Liquor dealers refused to close
and took the fight to the courts, where
it has Just been decided that the treaty
provisions still are In force.
Indian officials say the Indian him
self first realized that alcohol was a
menace to the race and that In the
Minnesota treaty as we'll as In most OF
the other Indian treaties the Indian
and not the white man stipulated that
intoxicants should not be sold, In In
dian territory.
In other parts OF the country off
Gals charged with enforcement OF laws
against sale OF whiskey to indians
worked through court action. Several.
Officers were killed. FL
An educational campaign against
the use Of alcohol; Indian officials de-
clare. did much for the enforcement
Of laws. A pledgs.taking campaign al
so. was an aid. Education of the In.
dian against drink was undertaken
through the schools, where students
were interested In essay,wrtting con-
tests. 49, Aa,. ,'..s..S-
While investigating treaty arrange.
ments Indian officials discovered. 2 for
gotten law permitting the, government
to hold up anuity payments. In re.
eions where liquor was within easy
reach OF the Indians. This, officials; as.
sert, was one OF the most fruitful
methods tried. Payments were stop
ned until head mon OF the tribes prom
ised cooperation and until officials
were convinced white residents In CON,
'tiguous territory would aid in law en-
forcement. y.
One Indian official. has declared this
touching OF the white mans pocket
book by cutting off payments was 50
effective as even to surprise the IN
dian service. .1.,..
7 Reservation officials In the South:
west have bent their energies toward
stamping out the fermentation OF TUE.
anal, a native Indian liquor made
from sprouting corn. The use Of Peyr
ote buttons. or dried cactus crowns,
for. making an Intoxicating drink has
been checked by the Department OF
Agriculture order prohibiting their Inn
portation. Legislation has been asked:
to give the Indian Office large powers
over traffic in Peyote.
4 state legislation Isl declared to have
been OF material assistance to the IN
Commissioner Sells concluded ! his
review OF efforts to- stop the sale OF
liquor to Indians by saying: .l.I
'.The sentiment Of the people is
strongly with out work, regardless OF
question OF prohibition as It Is under
the attitude OF the individual on the
stood In white communities. M WI