The record-union., 1897-04-08

WASHINGTON, April THE House
acted promptly to-day on the Presl-
dents message, and adopted a joint
resolution authorizing the Secretary OF
War to expend 100000 for the relief
of the flood sufferers of the Mississippi
Valley.
The most interesting feature of the
session was a passage between Repre-
sentative Simpson, the Kansas Pop
ulist. and Speaker Reed. Mr.. Simpson
gave voice to the opposition to the
Speakers temporary policy of inacuon
which has been smoldering in some
quarters by speaking to a question Oh
privilege. He finished a fiery de-
nunciation of the Speaker by demand
ing that he appoint the committees Oh
the House at once and gave notice that
he would prevent any more attempts
to do business by unanimous consent.
Several Republican members at
tempted to stem the tide of Mr. Simp-
sons attack, but Mr.. Reed seemed to
desire to hear it, and declined to in
terfere. He listened calmly to the
speech. and then, with his usual cool
ness and lucidity, replied that the
Speaker was merely the instrument OF
he supposed to be the policy inspired
by the majority, and that the House
had power to command the Speaker
if it disapproved of his course. The
Republicans expressed their approval
by round Of hand-clapping.
After the Presidents message had
been read. Mr.. Catchings Cd of Mis-
sippi asked consent for the immediate
sNs. II -
thorizing the Secretary of War to dis
tribute rations among the sufferers II
appropriated 5000, 900 for the purpose,
authorized the Secretary to employ the
Government steamers and otner podlS
on the Mississippi in transporting ana
distributing the supplies, and also such
other means as he might deem neces-
sary for the purpose OF distributing
supplies contributed by the Govern
1nent or individuals. Mr.. CatcningS
spoke briefly on the subject saying
that the President had been in COM
munication with the Governors or the
flooded States, and was in sympathy
with legislation for their relief. he
referred to the precedents for Con-
gressional relief in 1SS2 and 1888.
Mr.. Walker (R) Of Massachusetts
was inclined to object. Mr.. Walker
said that Mr.. Catchings should pre-
sent some reason why the States af-
fected by the floods should not bear
the expense of caring for their own
people to which Mr.. C2tchings replied
that there was no authority under their
constitutions for the Legislatures to
disburse money for such purposes
Moreover, the Legislatures were not in
session. and the Governors had no such
authority.
Mr.. Walker made a vigorous speech
in reply. Il yield to no man. he
said, lin my willingness to relieve suf-
fering in every legitimate way; but
there is nothing more abused, nothing
more dangerous in its use, than char
ity. When the great fire swept the city
of Chicago the inhabitants of the vari-
Gus cities came to the relief of Chi
cago. but We're that same disastrous
fire to reach Chicago to-day, or any
other one of the twenty cities, any one
of those cities or the States in which
they are located would decline assist
ance feeling that it was trenching up
on their own self-respect and assum-
ing duties that belonged to the State
of the citizens of that State. Wher
the fire swept Boston and assistance
was offered by other cities, Boston
thanked them for their kindness tC
her but declined to accept, claiming
the right as belonging to her own peo-
pie. which they would not forego o.
taking care of their own citizens.
THE gentleman says that the Con
situations of those States give no righ
to those States to assist their own peo-
ME in circumstances such as they arr