New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-09-03

| wrought on the Sea Islands which skirt the south
| eastern coast Of South Carolina have never been
paralleled in this country. During the phosphate
! investigation few years ago Governor Illlmail
| made d trip all through this territory, and he
| has q thorough knowledge of these islands
| This acquaintance with the coast makes him fear
| that the worst is not yet known. He has re-
| ceived telegram from Colonel j. H. Averill, say
| ing that he hal appointed relief committee
| Colonel Averill adds Additional reports from
| remote sections Of the islands are coming In
| hourly, adding largely TO the number Of lives
lost and TO the total loss of provisions, clothing
crops and houses.
To-lav the Governor gave his entire time and
attention 70 the matter of plans for the immediate
relief of the stricken thousands. This afternoon
he appointed DR. Babcocl,. superintendent Of the
State Lunatic Asylum special agent to go to the
scene and prepare a report OF the actual condition
of affairs Dr. Babcock started at Cnce. Most OF
lis journey will nave TO b" made in specially
chartered tug. Said the Governor want first
an absolutely correct account of the losses on
these islands and in this territory. want to know
exactly what houses are gone and what houses
are standing | want TO know what has been
done with the dead that have been there on the
sands for whole week. l want to know il tents
are needed to house the women and children who
survive l want to know what sanitary arrange
ments ! can have made to avert any threatened
epidemic.
IL am very anxious to know, too if in this
calamity it will be of any to get the Red Cross
Society to send its representatives there. We
want to guard, too, against these people, who,
seeing that aid is coming, might do nothing
to try to rebuild their homes. and start out
in life afresh. | do not want any
abuse of charity We want to lool, after the
women and children. but the men must be made
to rebuild their homes first of ALL The people
have the fish of the sea there to prevent them
from starving provided they can get little bread
from other sources. They can live where they
ore cheaper and better for the present than if we
tried to transport them into other section OF
the state Clothing and food of all kinds should
be sent them there. They doubtless have their
potatoes left in the ground. | hope, too that
some one will make them 20 to work at once and
plant turnips on the islands.
The stock of provisions at Beauport and other
points down there will run ont very likely in a
day or two: therefore | would suggest to the
pes pie that. instead of sending money altogether
they would purchase provisions and meats and
send them to the relief committee which have
JuSV dPP'ih''" S'o"'" ''i'iiN t''"' oo"' VI 'ii'
money should be telegraphed to Charleston with
Instructions that provisions be bought and for
warded from that point, as it is near, and the
goods could he sent around by boat"
In addition to the loss of life and private
property, the State and the phosphate companies
will b. heavy losers The phosphate indus
try, from which the State derives large part
of its revenue, is welngh paralyzed Upon the
receipt of a dispatch from Phosphate Inspector
Jones to-day saving that the plaint of every one
Of the mining companies had been destroyed, the
Governor telegraphed the inspector to re-
Port here in person as soon as pos
sibe Il will call peeting7 sail
the Governor. of the State Phosphate Commission
on Monday or Tuesday, in this city, and try to
do something to get the mining companies in
running order within the next few months IL
is certain that we will have 70 reduce the phos-
plate royalty considerable. and this reduction
will have to last until the companies can get
their feet again.