New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-04-06
PRESIDENT SHOWS GREAT INTEREST.
HE WILL PROBABLY SEND A SPECIAL MESSAGE
TO CONGRESS. ASKING RELIEF FOR
THE FLOOD SUFFERERS

HE WILL PROBABLY SEND SPECIAL. MESSAGE
TO CONGRESS. ASKING RELIEF FOR
THE FLOOD SUFFERERS
Washington, April 5.-The situation in the flooded
Mississippi district Is being earnestly inquired into
by the President and to-day the Arkansas Con-
gressiona delegation. headed by Senator Jones.
called on Mr. Mckinley to urge the advsabulty of
sending a special message TO Congress asking ap-
proprae legislation for the relief OF the food suf-
ferers. A delegation OF citizens from Memphis,
headed by Representative Carmack also called on
the mission
The President had another interview with Repre-
sentative Carmack, r. c. Graves. of Memphis,
chairman Of the Relief Committee. and J. s. Men
ken tho secretary, at O'Clock, at which the stu
alton was again reviewed. Mr.. Graves subse-
quenty prepared a written statement containing
all the data in his possession to the condition of
the sufferers. Representative McMln this after
noon received the following telegram from Gov
ernor Taylor OF Tennessee: Have our delegation
urge appropriation for flood sufferers. Property
and life can be saved by speedy action"
Mr.. Bate, OF Tennessee. offered resolution In the
Senate to-day, which agreed TO- for the relief
OF the food sufferers along the Mississippi River.
II provides that the President shall direct the Sur
geon-General of the Marine Hospital Service to
distribute tents and blankets food and medicine
under the epidemic fund of 1888. and to purchase
additional tents blankets. food and supplies out
of the present epidemic fund. The resolution can
not pass the House until Wednesday, it will not
be IN session until then.
Mr. Mckinley has already telcgraphed to the Gov
ernors of the States in which the floods exist for
information, and he has practically decided to
send a special message TO Congress tomorrow on
the subject with n recommendation that such
legislation for the relief Of the sufferers as Con-
gress may deem III be enacted without delay The
$4,000 appropriated a few days ago. and placed
at the disposal OF the Mississippi Commission
can be used only in repairing breaks in the levees
strengthening them at weak places etc. Not
penny OF It can be used for the relief OF the des-
titute There are several precedents for the ap-
preparation OF money for such purposes In 1890
on the occasion of the last big flood sl50.OOO was
appropriated
The President has received the following replies
from Governors to whom inquiries addressed
as to the flood situation and the need Of relief:
Baton Rouge. La April 3-Up to date we have
been able TO hold our levees In the State with the
exception Of a break In lower Bayou La Fourche
There IS as yet no flooded district except a small
territory affected by this crevasse. The situatic-
IS however, extremely critical. and the co-opera-
ton OF your department. through assistant engi-
leyecs, Is most earnestly solicited. Accept my
thanks for your interest in our people and my
high appreciation Of the same.
MURPHY ]. FOSTER Governor.
Little Rock Ark, April Am gathering infor-
nation by wire and otherwise. and will promptly
report 10 you as soon as reliable data can be OBJ
tained by Monday probably. Entire Mississippi
Valley in Arkansas overiowed. Great destruction
Of property. communication to many points cut
off rendering the information you require difficult
to obtain. Extent of suffering for food and shelter
only be vaguely approximated but it is safe to
say $4,000 added by Government TO local re-
sources will not be too much TO meet the eXigen-
cies. DANIEL w. JONES. Governor.
Jackson Miss. April photographic communi-
cation with the flooded districts so Interrupted by
the overfows that it is impossible to give any
thing like accurate estimate of number of suffer
ing. But think $4,000 would relieve present dis
ress Many thanks for your generous interest in
our stricken people. VIII keep you promptly in
formed requested.
\. J. M'LAURIN, Governor.