Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-01-16
Written for The Evening Star.

i.Hfili 5xT3e OF relief for the sufferers,
rSSe. &, nOr has its hberality been
SGGESS confined to our own Of
flieted communities. When
famine invaded Ireland and supplies from
this country were So bountifally poured
out the government, through congressional
Legislation, became the purveyor OF that relief,
and sent two men-of-war on that merciful and
peaceful mission loaded down with the needed
food and n, cesssries of life to suffering Ire
land The United States ship jamestown left
the port Of Boston on the 2sth Of March, 1917,
and on the 18th Of July the United States ship
Macedonia sailed from New York for IRELAND
with such relief as saved many lives ard
untold misery The relief which was contrib
utec by cities and individuals conveyed In
addition to the above by ships sent from differ
entports of the United States One. remember,
was sent from Alexandria continuing the sup
plies contributed by our own and nelSh5oring
cities The usual objections arrayed against
any such measures are based upon ''no provis-
ion OF the Constitution" being found to spe
cially reach cases OF charity, but that potent
word charity, which covers "a multitude of sins.
covers also any breach which might be made
In that immortal instrument when starving
fellow Creatures cry for food.
TIE IRISH FAMINE
In 1si7, February 25, Mr.. Crittenden offered
series o. resolutions expressive Of sympathy
for the sufferers IN Ireland. and making an APP
preparation of $500 600 for the purchase of
provisions of ell kinds to be conveyed to that
afflicted country in the earliest possible time.
In a speech of great power MIR. Crittenden
urged immediate action on the resolution, but
under the rules !; went over until the next day.
when Nix Fairfield of elaine made a long speech
against any appropriation, and an amendment
was offe'ed that private contributions and the
contributions OF cities should be sent in IA
tOnal vessels The strict cOnstructiOnIsts took
the ground that the cost of fitting such vessels
for the conveyance OF food would be consider
able. ard there was no constitutional provision
which would justify the turning OF ships of war
into vessels capable of carrying the large
nmoun of grain and other provisions required.
The friends OF the measure, mostly the wings
of that lay. urged as a precedent the appro-
prlatloi made IN 1872 of 1000 for the sur
yivOrs II the earthquake at Caracas. VEN
eZUela, IND after some DAYS debate the original
resolutions and the amendments were referred
TO the committee on finance. 4 Ike resolution,
making appropriation of S500. coo. was offered
In the Ebuse of Representatives and referred
10 the committee on WAYS and means, OF which
Mckay q North Carolina was chairman. Mr.
winthrop of Boston spoke with great feeling
OF the several efforts he had made as a member
OF the committee of Ways and means to get
some alton On the resolution making
the appropriation, but. he said, the
Chairman and the democratic majority pre-
vented any action and he rose 70 offer a reso-
l1tlOn directing the Secretary of the Navy to
place tie United States ship jamestown. which
The Secretary had reported as being out of
service in condition to convey the contribu-
tiOns q the city of Boston to Ireland, and the
Cnitei States ship Macedonia. also out of serv-
Ice. u be sent to the port of New York to con-
veg ue contributions of that city to the suffer-
ers u Ireland
cITIEs WOULD PAY THE EXPENSE.
He asked that Capt. Forbes of Boston be
placed in command of the jamestown. and said
4 the strict cOnstruetionists objected to the
expense of fitting up these vessels he was au-
thOrized 10 say that expense would be defrayed
by the two cities. which desired to send their
contributions to Ireland in United States
Tessels.
There was objection made to placing United
states ships under command OF merchant cap
iaiRs and Mr. Charles J. Ingersoll of Philadel-
ohia offered az amendment that two port cap
aims o. the navy be detached to command the
lames;ownand the Macedonia Mr.. Holmes
u South tarOllnia advocated the apprOpria-
lon which had been recommended, but which
slept In the committee on ways and means,
then the nly committee in charge of appro-
orIatlOns.a and urged immediate action. and
Mr. Charts jared IasersOn expressed himself
n favor sending the ship Pennsylvania on
the same Mission OF mercy with the contribu-
lions OF h.ladtlphia- One of the reasons
urged blythe democrats against the large
appropriation Contained in Mr.. Crittenden's
resoidtl"iwas the certainty OF the bill being
vetoed bAIr. Polk.
SO man years have elapsed since that fright
ful ianllI that ats magnitude Is not recognized
now II BRUSH government expended $50
OOO.0lO marcus forms of relief. We cannot
learn theull extent of the famine in the vast
empire CRussia, but the presidents in India
are aDp4inC. for in lsI6 in one part of India
1.OOO. UCOf people persisted, and in another
part OF Ina year or two after l. 500. 900 peo-
PIE perls-d-
LIEF By LEGISLATIVE ACTION.
There e Precedents for relief by Legislative
action eondIng beyond expressions of syrIpa-
thy. Dlsess In any form has found such advo-
Gates as iaT. Webster. Benton and Calhoun
strict ectrUctiDnists a. they were. The hand of
charl.yh. overaOweG with help from over
sounc1e whenever the cry Of hunger and
distressas been heard.
Al thime o: the famine in Ireland there
was a Il o. Packet ships running between
New Gk and Liyerpoo. called the Tan
scots IBIS line Of packets was withdrawn |
from tlr regular trips. and loaded with pro- !
vision OF al Liads called for Ireland |
Anon the provisions sent WAS n LARGE
quaint OF eOTEmeaL but great rs the need !
was. IRISH Feasantry could not be induced |
TO u the meal AID large quantities we're
waste as was said by those IN charge OF dis |
tribug the supplies. Oue of the songs which |
vas opposed and sung at the time was about
Cap 1apscO:t and lis Dirty Yellow Male" |
The ores Of sympathy once touched by the !
ny CwantrespOois III Overlooking abundance
9 wsso IN this ease. and rs soon a. relief
iouhbe furnished from almost every mort
'esss sped across the sea laden with food for
be sIerIng.
RELIEF FOR CHICAGO.
II terrible fire which wiped Chicago on. OF
lsnee III October, 1871. causing such gi-
t1e losses, was brought before Congress bv
II offered for the relief OF those whose homes
ieDeen burned and whose bu siness had beer. to-
u biotteG oat by this terrible coafagration.
he meeting of Congress December following
ela;e Senator Logan presented a Joint reso-
Ton Tor the relief of the sufferers by tie ire
@hlcago The bill provided: First For the
mission OF all goods. wares, merchandise
Llch might BE- sent from places beyond the
tlted States as gratuitous contributions to
relief OF the sufferers by the fire. which
,curred on the sth and 9ih OF October, 1871.
hen imported and consigned to the proper
minority al Chicago for distribution shall
admitted free from all duty and sec
ID, drawback o; the import duty paid
me Same materials. actually used
buildings erected On the ground
trned over by the same fire. provided said
aterials shal! have been imported ard used
triEg the term of one wear from and after the
sssage Of the bill Third. The bin autbor-
ed the commissioner of internal revenue TO
spend the collection OF such taxes assessed a.
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