Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1897-04-15
To RELIEVE WANT.
President Mckinley Sends a Spe-
cial Message to Congress.
lie Urses Aid for the Flood sufferers
Both branches Act Promptly
and Appropriate S2OO,0OO
for THAT Purpose.

sissippi and Louisiana and from prominent
citizens of these states and Tennessee war
rants the conclusion that widespread dis
trees. involving the destruction Of large
amount Of property and loss Of human
lie, has resulted from the floods which
have been submergtng that section OF the
country. These are stated. on reliable
authority, to be the most destructive
foods that have ever devastated the Mis-
sissippi valley. the water being much high
er than the highest stage it has reached
before. From Marion. Ark. north Of Mem
phis, 10 GTeeuNllle. Miss, distance OF
more than 20 miles by river, Il is reported
there now at least 80 towns and VIII
lagos under water; and a territory ex-
tending from 100 miles north OF Memphis
to 20 miles south, and from to 10 miles
wide, IS submerged. Hundreds Of thou
sands of acres Of cultivated soil, with
growing crops. are included In the sub
merged territory. In this section alone
there are from u, 600 to so, 900 people whose
property has been destroyed and whose
business has been suspended. Growing
crops have been ruined, ousands of cat
tie have been drowned 9 - the inhabitants
of certain areas threatened with starva-
ton As great majority Of the sufferers
are small farmers, they have thus been
left entirely destitute and will be unpre-
pared for work even after the foods have
subsidized.
Look TO Government for Aid.
Under such circumstances the citizens
of these states look for the coorssration
and support OF the national government In
relieving the pressing cases of destituticn
for food. clothing and shelter which are
beyond the reach OF local Efforts The
authorities who have communicated with
the executive recognize that their first
and most energetic duty 10 to provide as
far as possible the means of caring for
their own citizens; but nearly all Of them
agree in the opinion that after their re-
sources have1been exhausted q sum ag-
gregatlng at least $4,000, and possibly
100000, viii be required for immediate use
"Precedents are not wanting that ia such
emergencies as this congress has taken
prompt, generous ana intelligent action
involving tho expenditure of considera ble
sums OF money, with satisfactory results.
In 1874 $4,000 was appropriated. and In
1852 $780, 0U was also appropriated for re-
lief in the same direction. besides large
sums in other years.
Need OF Prompt Action.
1t has therefore seemed to me that
ths representatives of the people should
he promptly informed OF the nature and
extent OF the suffering and needs Of these
stricken people and have communicated
those facts Ia the hope and belief that the
legislative branch OF the government Will
promptly reinforce the work OF the local
authorities In the states named.
WILLIAM A1'KINI4EsT
Executive Mansion. April !. 1897"
Agd Extended.
Washington. pril s.--senator Jones,
OF Arkansas, ollered JOINT resolution
I'D the seuate Wednesday appropriate
ing sl5o,o0o tor supplies 10 the Mssis-
sIYpt river sufferers. aud it was passed
ut once
liz the house Mr.. Catchiugs. Of Mis-
sissippi. offered a resolution appropri-
atlus 100000 for the relief OF the Mis-
sissippi food sufferers. This vas
promptly passed.
This would have left an awkward sit
nation but tie senate yielded prece-
deuce to the house ard recalled It's res
olntion, and then promptly passed the
house resolution. which was at once
transmitted to the president.
Forfy nle IN Floods.
Sioux city, IA. April 10.-Forty lives
al least nave been lost in the floods iii
South Dakota, Town and Nebraska Two
persons are known 10 have been lost
Oh the Floyd. three have been report
ed drowned on the Big Sioux. two on the
Missouri and two on the Coon, all in the
immediate vicinity. Cases Of a similar
character are being reported every day
from points farther away. and a sharp
watch is being kept by the local au-
tAorities for doaters in the Missouri.
IN Alarming Condition.
Washington. April l2 q statement
relative ID the agricultural interests
&c the submerged districts II The Mis-
Nissippi valley south ST Cairo. H., has
heeA Issijed ~ the department. IL aeri-
culture. Il IS hsssss3 upon n chart pre-
Pinned lnder the direction a the chief