The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1897-04-14
Help for Helpless i.

aAlSgo - sss,e-s
afcKuniey Asks an Appropri-
alton for Flood Sufferers.
Wsshipg,oa. April : The Presi-
Gent sens this message to Congress to
iIay
8 the Senate aud House Of Rep
resensassvss Iofcrmasion which has
reesntly come TO me from the governors
sof A.rkaosas. Mississippi and Louisiana
aud from prominent citizens of these
States and Tennessee, warrants the
81 ssconcluaion that widespread distress.
sinyolsiag the destruction of large
aa,onntof property aud loss Of human
life has resulted from the foods which
nave. submerged that section OF the
ssaountry. These are stated on reliable
authority to be the most destructive
foods that have ever devasted the Mis-
a,issippi vsliey. the water being much
higher than the highest stage It has
reached before. From Marion, Ark.
north of Memphis. to Greenville. Miss,
3 distance Of more than 50 miles by
r5yer. IL is reported that there are now
{ Il lesst so towns and villages under
J water aud territory extending from
100 miles north Of Memphis
IS 200 miles south aud from
IS Is 40 miles vide. is submerged.
Hupdrsds Of thousands Of acres Of cul-
stiYased soil with grosiog crops are IN
tl,s submerged territory. 10 this SEQ
I stioa, alone there are from SO, 900 to
go 900 people whose property has been
dsstIoyed. aud whose business has been.
suspended. Growing crops have been
ruined tbonsands of cattle have
bsen drouned snd the Inhabitants Of
certain areas threatened with starva
sion As 8 great majority Of the suf-
fsrers are small farmers, they have thus
been lefs entirely destitute and will be
unprepared for work even after the
sflood has subsided The entire Mis-
sislippi valley 10 Arkansas is flooded
aud comnunicatioa With many points
eus %. Ia Mississippi like condition
exisss The ievees IN Louisiana, With
asingle exception. have held. bat the
usier Is rising and the situation there
Is reported as being extremely critical.
Under such circumstances. the citizens
AT these States look for the cooperation
aud support Of the national government.
Is relieving the pressing cases Of
des.it1.io0 for food. clothing aod shell
ter which are beyond the reacb Of local
eHorts. The authorities who have COM
nannicated With sbe executive recognize
that their 6rst and most energetic duty
IS 10 provide 80 far as possible the
1,esos Of caring fer their own citizens.
'bat nearly all of them agree 10 the opin-
In that after these resources have
been exhausted. sun aggregating at
least $3.50, 600 and possibly $500. 060
win Be required for immediate use.
Pfecedeots are not wanting that In such
emergencies as this congress has taken
psonps, generous and intelligent &C.
fion. iovolsiDg tie expenditure 70 con
siderable sums OF money. with sasisfac-
tory results 10 1874 10000 was
appropriated aod in 1882 $3.50, 900
MAS also appropriated fer relief 10 the
same direction, besides large sums 10
other years.
The citizens relief committee of
Memphis. which has taken prompt ac
ton. has already cared for from 5000
10 Z GEO refugees from the flooded dis
tric;s aud they are still arriving in that
CITY 10 large Numbers daily. Supplies
aud provisions hare been sent TO the
rarfous points in Arssosas aud Missis-
sippi By she committee, but the utmost
tbas can be done bs these efforts is to
partly relieve the most acute cases Of
suffering. No action has yet been
saken for the great majority Of the In
habitants living in the interior. ubose
EeonSSitiou has. already been described.
Under these cosditions and having
sexerted themselves to the fullest extent,
.tbe local authorities have reluctantly
confessed their inability to further cope
With this distressing situation noaid d
sby tbe government. 1t has. therefore,
seemed to me that the representatives ct
The people should be promptly informed
Of the nature and extent of the suffer
ing aud needs Of these stricken people
aud I have communicated these facts in
khe hope and belief sba. the legislative
raaeh Of the goyero Dent will prompt
re-enforce the work of the local au-
Mites 10 the States named.
"NILLIAM MCKINLEY
Executive Mansion. April I. 81 "
3ess destruction ON the north
bnpes of tht. Mississippi water