The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1884-03-06
The Tornado Relief Bill Withdrawn.

WASHINGTON, February 29-In the
senate. Mr.. Ransom, from the committee
on appropriations, reported back adverse
ly the joint resolution introduced by him
last Monday, and referred to that COM
mittee, providing for an appropriation TO
aid the sufferers by the great storms in
the Southern States. In reporting 1t
back MIR. Ransom stated that the commit
tee had given the matter very careful
consideration. kilograms were sent to
the Governors of the different States
affected, and to other persons in those
States supposed to be best acquainted
with all the incidents of the storm and
the subsequent sufferings, and while the
first accounts of the great sufferings OF
certain communities had been fully con.
frmed. vet those sufferings were not, in
the Judgment of the committee, OF that
widespread, transcendent and paramount
character which bafled all local, indiVid.
ua!, municipal and State relief, so as to
demand the Intervention of the govern.
ment. He could not let the resolution
pass, Mr.. Ransom added, without saying
that while in presenting the resolution
he had been actuated by becoming I'M
pulse, it was proper now that the country
should know at the earliest moment, that
Congress would not take steps for relief
in Ibis instance. He said this in order
that private and local charity may not
be suspended. The example of the
people of those States in their great or,
deal of suffering, should not but command
the admiration of their countrymen
everywhere. He (Ransom) might some
times be carried away by enthusiasm for
his own people, but when he looked at
what had taken place among the people
of North Carolina, South Carolina, Ala
bama and Georgia, and saw their resolu-
tion 10 bide their faith and not come to
Congress for relief, even when an effort
had been made to give it to them, 1t re-
minded him of the heroism Of Fabricius
and Regulus, and the great Athenian,
who sacrificed everything that he might
stand by his country. He hoped th9
noble example given by the afdlcted
people in this case would be useful to
the richer and more powerful communi-
ties which might not be worse afflicted.
In conclusion Mr.. Ransom thanked the
committee on appropriations for the care
full and painstaking consideration which
they had given the subject.
Mr.. Garland said he supposed the ac'
tion of the committee was based on the
ground that they did not consider, from
the information received, that there was
a necessity for the interposition of Con-
gress. o.a
Mr.. Garland said he did not understand
such interposition to have been declined
on the ground of the unconstitutlonality
of such aid of cases where it was shown
to be required.
Mr.. Rarsom-Not at all.
Mr.. Garland said he didn't wish it TO
be understood that he, for one, doubted
the authority of Congress to extend AID
in cases calling for l.. If the question
had arisen on that he would have mad
something to say. =.
Mr.. Ransom said if this were the time
to discuss that matter he, Ransom, would
be able to show line Of precedents ia
yoring the constitutionality of such ac-
tion from the beginning of our govern
melt to the present day. When the
matter came to be investigated there
could. he said, be but one opinion as to
the constitutional authority of Congress
in a case of such imminent and impend,.
ing ruin as to exceed the capacity OF
local and State aid.