The herald., 1897-04-08
MONEY FOR
MUCH MEAL
Provided by Action of the
Congress
SUFFERERS FROM THE FLOOD
RELIEVED FROM FEAR OF
HUNGER
The Situation Shows Little Change.
A Courageous Fight to Save
Remaining Levees
RELIEVED FROM FEAR OF
HUNGER
Associated Press Special Wire.

Associated Press Special Wire.
WASHINGTON. April THE presi-
dent today sent the following message
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 been submergins
that section of the country. These are
stated on reliable authority to be the
most destructive floods that ever devas-
tated the Mississippi valley, the water
being much higher than the highest
stage it has reached before. From Ma
rion, Ark, north of Memphis, to Green
vile, Miss, a distance of more than 250
miles by river, 1t is reported there are
now at least fifty towns and villages un-
der water and territory extending from
100 miles north of Memphis to 200 miles
south, Of from five to forty miles wide. is
submerged and hundreds of thousands
of acres of cultivated soil with growing
crops are included in the submerged ter
ritory. In this section alone there are
from 90. 900 to $4,000 people whose proper
ty has been destroyed and whose busi-
ness has been suspended. Grown crops
have been ruined, thousands of cattle
have been drowned, and the inhabitants
of certain areas are 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 Ar
kansas 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
situation 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 energetic duty
is to provide as far as possible the means
for caring for our citizens, but nearly
klA .f.t0 "a
after their resources have been exhaust
ed sum aggregating at least $15o,O0o,
and possibly 900. will be required for
immediate use.
Precedents are not wanting that in
such emergencies as this congress has
action, involving the expenditure of con-
siderable sums of money with satisfac-
taken prompt, generous and intelligent
tory results. In 1874. $790,000 was ap-
propriated and in 1882, $350,000 was ap-
propriated for relief in the same direc-
ton. besides large sums in other years
The citizens relief committee of Men,
phis which has taken prompt action has
already cared for from 5000 to 1000 refu-
gees from the flooded districts, and
they are still arriving in that city in
large numbers dEily. Supplies and pro-
visions have been sent to the various
points in Arkansas and MISSISSIPPI by
this committee, and the most that can be
done by these interests is to partly re-
lieve the most acute cases of suffering.
No action has yet been taken for the
great majority of the inhabitants living
in the interior, whose condition has al
ready been described
Under these conditions, and having
exerted themselves to the fullest ex-
tent, the local authorities have reluct-
antly confessed their inability to further
cope with this distressing situation un-
aided by relief from the government.
1t has. therefore, seemed to me that
the representatives Of the people should,
be promptly informed of the nature and
extent of the suffering and needs of
these stricken people, and I have COM
these facts. in the hope and
belief that the legislative branch of the
work of the local authorities in the
states named.
(Signed) VIM. MKINLEY.
PROMPT ACTION.
WASHINGTON, April THE text of
the relief resolution as it passed con-
gress and goes to the president is as fol-
lows:
Resolved, That the sum Of 5000, 900 Is
hereby appropriated out Of the money in
the treasury not otherwise appropriated
to be expended by and under the direc-
tion of the secretary OF war to purchase
and distribute subsistence stores to
such destitute persons as may re-
quire assistance in the district over
flowed by the Mississippi river and its
tributaries, and by the Red river Of the
north, by the recent floods. The secre-
tary of war is authorized to use the
steamers and other boats and vessels
belonging to or now employed by the
government upon the Mississippi river
and Its tributaries in the transportation
and distribution Of supplies furnished
by the United tSates or individuals. to
and among said destitute and sufrerins
people, and may employ such other
means Of transportation % he may deein