The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-01-16
AID TO RUSSIA.

The debate in ths House Of Representa-
tiyes on the 9th inst, on the Senate reSOlu-
ti0n authorizing the Secretary of the Navy
20 charter vessel or YES els 10 carry dona-
lions Of food to sufferers from famine in
Russia, is interesting reading; the more so
as it will probably establish precedent for
action hereafter.
The resolution was in the charge Of
BiOunt of Georgia. who moved its reference
to the Committee on Naval Affairs, with
power to report at any time, and on this
motion the FIST battle of the day occurred
Kilgore Of Texas insisted that it should 60
to the Committee on Appropriations. 1t
appears to have been understood that the
latter reference would be fatal 10 the resO-
luton. Letters were produced from Cassius
NJ Clay, formerly Minister to Russia. and
from the Russian Charge 'Afaires TO Miss
Clara Barton, stating that the distress in
Russia was widespread and appalling; these
were Offset by declarations from khgOre of
Texas and Bryan Of Nebraska, who cited
instances when Congress had refused to aD-
or0priate money for the relief Of sufferers
from famine ia those States. Several men,
bers took the ground that there was no con-
stilutional warrant for such an appropria-
ton. and some notably Morse Of Massachu-
sets and Ptndleton Of West Virginia, said
severe things about Russian anti-Jewish
legislation, the latter gentleman observing
that the alleged friendship between the
United States and Russia was another in
stance Of an alliance between the Puritan
and the blackleg. When a vote was reached
the motion to refer to the Naval Committee
was negatiyed.
Then Holman, Chairman Of the Commit
tee on Appropriations, moved to strike out
the enactng clause, and the motion was
carried b. 166 TO 70-m0re than two 10 one
This ended the matter, the further consd-
GRAFTON Of the resolution was indefinitely
postponed.
When Cleveland was President he vetoed
q resolution appropriating money for the
relief Of distress in Texas on the ground
that the constitution did not authorize
Congress to expend the public money in
such manner. Congress, however. has ap-
proDriated money more than once to relieve
distress. Money was voted to the people Of
Kansas when their crops failed, and like
wise TO the riparian jewellers on the lower
Mississippi when their farms we're sub
merged by q spring food. A still more
marked instance Of what may be called
sentimental legislation was the vote by
which, under the lead of Henry Clay, Con-
gress presented Greece with full-rigged
and fUll-armcd Ship-Of-war to assist her In
her struggle for Independence
The language of the constitution Is. in
fact, so vague that either Interpretation
may be placed on it according TO the feel
ing Of the day.
As a matter OF theory the General Govern
ment is a Government of limited powers
and the exercise of alms-giving is not one of
those powers. If the constitution is con-
strued strictly Congress has no right to vote
away the peoples money to relieve famine
either in Kansas or Texas. much less in
Russia. Relief must come from individual
benevolenee. Sufferers from starvation
must address their appeals TO citizens in
their individual capacity, or to their own
municipalities, or TO their own State leessla-
lures Each and all OF these may con-
tribute money to mitigate distress-in the
case Of the two latter, because city and
State Governments are bound to support.
those who cannot support themselves. and
relief moneys are clasSed with necessary
benevolent appropriations. 1t is hardly
possible to conceive a casualty which
should devastate any large portion of the
United States by famine or pestilence;
should such a catastrophe occur the organic
instrument would undoubtedly be inter-
preted so as TO place the resources Of the
General Government at the service of The
sufferers.