Birmingham state herald., 1897-04-08
Reviewing the Situation Urges Upon the Natio
 Lawmakers the ExigenCy


Washington, April 1.-The president sent this message to congress today: To the Senate and House of Representa-
 tives:
 Information which has recently come to me from the governors of Arkansas, Mississippi and Louisiana and from prominent citizens of these states and Tennessee, warrants the conclusion that widespread distress, involving the de- struction of a large amount of property and loss of human life has resulted from the floods which have submerged that section of the country. These are stat ed on reliable authority, to be the most destructive floods that have ever devas- tated the Mississippi valley the water being much higher than the highest stage 1t has reached before. From Marion, Ark, north of Memphis, to Greenville Mississippi a distance of more than 250 miles by river, it is reported that there are now at least fifty towns and villages under water; and territory extending from 100 miles north of Memphis to 200 miles south and from five to forty miles wide, is submerged. Hundreds of thous- ands of acres of cultivated soil with grow ing crops are included in the submerged territory. In this section alone there are from 50,000 to 60,000 people whose property has been destroyed and whose business has been suspended Growing crops have been ruined, thousands of cattle have been drowned and the inhab- itantS Of certain areas threatened with starvation. As a great majority of the sufferers are small farmers they have thus been left entirely destitute and will be unprepared for work even after the floods have subSided.
 The entire Mississippi valley in Arkan- sas is flooded and communication with many points cut off In Mississippi a like condition exists. The levees in Louisiana, with a single exception have held, but the water is rising and the sit- nation there is reported as being ex- tremely critical.
 Under such circumstances the citizens of these states look for the cooperation and support of the national government in relieving the pressing cases of desti- tuition for food, clothing and shelter which are beyond the reach of local ef- forts. The authorities who have com municated with the executive recognize that their first and most energat duty is to provide as far as possible the means of caring for their own citizens: but near ly all of them agree in the opinion that after their resources have been ex- hausted, a sum aggregating at least $780, coo and possibly $2000 000 will be required for immediate use.
 PrecedentS are not wanting that in such emergencies as this congress has taken prompt, generous and intelligent action, involving the expenditure of con- siderable sums of money, with satisfac- tory results. In 1874, s590,000 was appro- priated, and in 1882, $350,0 was also ap- propriated for relief in the same direc- tion, beside large sums in other years.
 The citizens relief committee of Mem phis which has taken prompt action, has already cared for from 6,000 to .,50o refu- gees from the flooded districts and they are still arriving in that city in large numbers daily Supplies and provi- sions have been sent to the various points in Arkansas and Mississippi by this con- mittee; but the utmost that can be done by these efforts is to partly relieve the most acute cases of suffering. No ac- tion has yet been taken for the great ma jority of the inhabitants living in the in- terior whose condition has already been described.
 Under these conditions and having ex- erted themselves to the fullest extent the local authorities have reluctantly con- fessed their inability to further cope with this distressing situation unaided by re- lief from the government.
 It has therefore seemed to me that the representatives of the people should be promptly informed of the nature and eX- tent of the suffering and needs of these stricken people and have communicated these facts in the hope and belief that the legislative branch of the government will promptly re-enforce the work of the To- cal authorities in the states named.
 WILLIAM MKINLEY.
 Executive Mansion, April T. 1897.
 Washington, April 1.-The message from the president suggesting govern ment aid for the sufferers by the Missis- sippi floods was read in the senate and was followed by the introduction and passage of joint resolution appropriat- ing $150,000 for that purpose. Before this action could be communicated to the house, joint resolution was received from that body appropriating s2OOOOO for the same purpose and including the Red river of the North, in the territory to be aided. This house joint resolution was imme diately passed by the senate-acton on the other one, and On MT. Bates joint resolution on Monday-being reconsid- cred and annulled.
 MT. Earle's resolution to reorganize the senate committees was laid over un- til tomorrow at the suggestion of MT. German.
 Senator Morgan continued his speech (begun yesterday in support of his joint resolution extending belligerent rights to both sides in the Cuban resolution.
 MT. Morgan's speech was entirely di- vested of any aggressive statements cal cuated to call out interruStions. In fact the senate seemed to have taken the opportunity to go out to lunch. On the republican side. Senators Hoar, Hale and Lodge were punched together. On