New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-04-08
CONGRESS TO THE RESCUE.
,ppEAI, FROM THE PRESIDENT IN BE-
HALF OF THE FLOOD SUFFERERS.

porH HOUSES IMMEDIATELY RESPOND TO THE
MESSAGE BY VOTING AN APPRopR1A-
TON OF 100000
washington. April 7.-President Mckinley to-
aov sent the following message to Congress. ask
,rs that measures be taken for relief Of the suf
,.-ars from the great floods in the Mississippi
Valley
-,,he Senate and House OF Representatives:
Information which has recently come to
.-,,n the Governors Of Arkansas Mississippi and
louisiana. and from prominent citizens OF these
States and Tennessee warrants the conclusion
that widespread distress. involving the destruc-
ZION Of a large amount Of property and loss OF
human life has resulted from the foods which
have submerged that section of the country.
Tbese are stated on reliable authority 10 be the
most destructive floods that have ever devas
ta,ed the Mississippi Valley, the water being
much higher than the highest stage it has
reached before From Marion, Ark, north of
Memphis 10 GreenVille. Miss. distance OF more
tran two hundred and fifty miles 10y river. 1t is
rcrorted that there are now at least fifty towns
and villages under water, and a territory ex-
tending from lO0 miles north of Memphis TO 200
miles south. and from fve 10 forty miles wide. is
submerged Hundreds OF thousands OF acres or
cultivated soil with growing crops are included
IN the submerged territory In this section alone
there are Il ON 10000 to GO00O people whose prop
erty has been destroyed and whose business has
been suspended. Growing crops have been
ruined. thousands of cattle have been drowned,
and the inhabitants of certain areas threatened
with starvation. AS q great majority or the sur
ferers are small farmers, they have thus been
left entirely destitute. and Will be unprepared
for work. even after the floods have subsded.
The entire Mississippi Valley in Arkansas Is
flooded and communication with many points
cut of. In Mississippi like condition exists.
The levees In Louisiana. with single exception,
have held; but the water is rising and the situa
tiOn there is reported being extremely critical.
Under such circumstances the citizens of these
States look for the cooperation and support OF
~ft,of h..
ing cases of destitution Cor food. clothing and
shelter. which are beyond the reach Of local ef-
forts. The authorities who have communicated
with the Executive recognize that their first and
most energetic duty H. TO provida far as posi-
bic the means of caring for their citizens;
but nearly all Of them agrea in the opinion that
after their resources have been exhausted sum
aggregating at least Slj0,0O0 ana possibly $500,
900 Will be required for immediate use.
Precedents are not wanting tina. in such en1er-
gencies as this Congress has taken prompt, gen.
erous and intelligent action. involving the ex-
penditure Of considerable sums Of money, with
satisfactory results. In 1874 S19O.0o0 was APP
proprated, and in 1852 S3J00O0 also ap-
propriated for relief in the same direction be-
sides large sums in other gears.
The Citizens Relief Committee Of Memphis,
which has taken prompt action. has already
cared for from 6.OOO TO 1000 refugees from the
flooded districts and they are still arriving In
that city in large numbers daily. Supplies and
provisions have been sent TO various points In
Arkansas and Mississippi by this committee; but
the utmost that can be done by these efforts is
inc. No action has yet been taken for the great
majority Of the inhabitants living in the Interior
whose condition has already been described.
Under these conditions, and having eXerted
themselves TO the fullest extent. the local
thorities have reluctantly confessed their in
ability further to cope with this distressing situa
ton unaided by relief from the Government.
II has therefore seemed 10 me that the represen-
tatives Of the people should be promptly informed
Of the nature and extent Of the suffering and
needs OF those stricken people. and / have COM
municated these facts in the hope and belief that
the legislative branch Of the Government will
promptly reinforce the work Of the local authort-
WILLIAM MKINLEY.
Executive Mansion, April 1. 1897.
PROMPT ACTION BY CONGRESS.
When the House met this morning Mr.. Catch
ings Dem. Mss) brought forward
Joint resolution authorizing the Secretary Of War
10 distribute rations among the sufferers. II ap-
prOpriated $500 900 for the purpose and author
ized the Secretary 10 employ the Government
steamers and other boats on the Mississippi in
transporting and distributing the supplies, and
also such other means he might deem neces-
sary for the purpose of distributing supplies
tributed by the Government or individuals. Mr.
Catchings spoke briefly on the subject saying
that the President had been in communication
with the Governors of the flooded States. and
in sympathy with Legislation for their relief. He
referred to the precedents for Congressional re-
lief in 1889 and 1883 He was about to yield the
floor 20 Mr. Sayers Dem. Tex when Mr.. Walker
Rep Mass) interposed an objection unless
there could be twenty minutes on side for de-
bate
At this point the Presidents message was pre-
sented. and other business suspended while
&; was read TO the House. The message was
listened 10 with interest, and then Mr.. Catchings
oIes4d to yield twenty minutes to Mr.. Walker
nm ha latter decla.ed he wanted speak in
his own right. BY consent twenty minutes TO
each side was given for debate, and Mr. Walker
was permitted 10 control the time OF the opposi-
ton Mr. Walker said that Mr. Catchirgs should
present some reason why the States affected by
the foods should not bear the expensa Of caring
for their own people to which Mr.. Catchings re-
Piled that there no authority under their
constitutions for the Legislatures To disburse
money for such purposes Moreover the Legis-
latures were not in session. and the Governors
had no such authority.
Mr. Walker made a vigorous speech in reply. in
which he said: Il yield to no man in my willing
ness to relieve suffering in every legitimate way.
but there is nothing more abused, nothing more
dangerous In its use than charity VIII the gentle
man point me 10 a line in the Constitution Of the
United States that permits itY Is the Presidents
message to be substituted-is any Presidents
message under any circumstances, TO be substi-
tuted-for Constitutional laws? While nave
not obi ecte1 To- the consideration OF TINS matter
and while | shall not vote against II, TINS is the
last time that shall ever abate my Judgment
and my conscience in violating what DeIleVe IL
the Constitution OF the United states, IN Nioiat-
ing The manness Of the people Of the states IN
yoised IN THIS Injury. and doing wrong 10 tme ui
States themselves 10y needcssly ana IN , hullIi,-
at!ng manner going to the rescue OF the peopie
OF those States that are abundantly aDle 10 .dhe
care q their own poor. believe there is nothihs
that could come TO the citizens or those states
that would have so good q moral and economic
effect TO call upon them 10 take care OF the
injuries done and leave them 70 40 IL,
Mr. Catchings declared that the stricKeh states
were no mendlCants They were more over
whelmed by taxation than any other section oi
he. 'rll Is sl1tt l,L.nn