New-York tribune., 1874-05-07

AID FOR THE MISSISSIPPI SUFFERERS.
III the course Of the discussion in the Senate
on Tuesday upon the appropriation for the re-
lief of persons suffering from the overflow OF
the Mississippi River, Senator AlcOrn of Mis-
sissippi took occasion to express the hope that
great care would be taken, in the event OF the
appropriation being made, to distribute judi
ciousy the food and clothing which should be
purchased for the purpose. He also stated
that the inundation from which the people Of
Louisiana and Mississippi are suffering is itself
an illustration of the carelessness, dishonesty,
and corruption with which the public money is
expended. Louisiana alone, he said, has spent
4l2, 100000 upon the Mississippi levees, and
Mississippi has spent $l0,O00,000 since the war
for the same purpose. Had only S5,0C0,000 of
these amounts been expended honestly and ju-
diciously in maintaining the levees, they would
have been in a condition to protect the cOun-
try adjoining the river from overflow. IRE
sponsible and reckless persons have directed the
expenditure, and the money has been squan-
dered to no purpose. In his own county, Sem
ator Alcorn said the Board of Supervisors con-
sists of four negroes who can neither read nor
write. He feared the effect Of the injudciOus
and indscrimnate distribution of food and
clothing among the negroes would be to de-
moralize still further the lazy. shiftless, and
ignorant by giving them the idea that Gov
ernment would support them without work.
The remarks Of Senator AlcOrn led to q
petty partisan discussion, in which ssiessrs.
Conkling and Cameron participated Mr..
Conkling remarked that before he heard the
Senator from Mississippi he had intended to vote
for the BILL but since that gentleman had at
tributed the msrule in his State to the car
pet-baggers and held the National Admins
tration responsible for their sins, he was dis
posed to change his mind. In the same high
vein of craftsmanship Mr.. Cameron said at
first he was willing to give two or three times
the amount mentioned in this bill for the re-
lief of those suffering; but if it was to be
received with an attack upon the honesty of
the Government and with an unwilling hand,
he would not give them a cent. The whole
debate was amazingly trivial and petty. even
for the Senate. Here are whole communities
expelled by the food from their plantations
and homes deprived of the means of subsist-
ence, and driven to the verge of starvation,
and the "leadng statesmen" " of the dominant
party, discussing measures for their relief, en-
gage in childish squabbing over the question
whether the sufferers blame the lAdministra-
ton for the evils that have come upon them
Before relief is furnished these gentlemen
think the test of friendship to the Admins
traton must be applied. If these sufferers
say the Administration has done no wrong,
they may be relieved from the National
Treasury; if they blame the Administration
for the corruption and msrule of the carpet
baggers and negroes, they may suffer and
starve for all Congress will do for them. 1t
does not seem very broad view of the sub
ject.
There is obviously serious question rs to
the constitutional right of Congress to furnish
such aid. The dangers to which such prece-
dent exposes us are so manifest that they
hardly need to be pointed out. But the emer
gency is a pressing one. In view of the an =
palling calamity which has fallen upon these
people, and the hardships and privations to
which they are Immediately exposed, Congress
was disposed to act promptly, perhaps hastily.
1t is case where considerations of charity
would DO very Likely TO override those of