The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1897-04-14
Respectfully,
D. H. THoMPKNs,
Secretary of State.
W. A. BARBER,
Attorney General.
JAMES NORTON,
Comptroller General.
State Board of Pensioners.
HELP FOR HELPLESS.
President Mckinley Asks an Apprepris-
ton for Flood Sufferers.

tion for Flood Sufferers.
WASHINGTON, April THE Presi-
dent sent this message to congress to-
day:
''To the Senate and House of Rep
resentati7es: Information which has
recently come to me from the COVER
nors of Arkansas, Mississippi and
louisiana and from prominent citizens
OF these States and Tennessee, war
rants the conclusion that widespread
distress, involving the destruction OF
large amount of property and loss OF
human life has resulted from the
foods which have submerged that
sec:ion OF the country These are
stated on reliable authority 70 be the
most destructive foods that have ever
devastated the Mississippi valley, the
water being much higher than the
fron SstM MaFion MFa zrE.,, K, nofE6 81 GfgSf Ggn
phis, to Greenville, Miss, distance
o: more than $50 miles by river, 1t IS
reported that there are now at least 50
towns and villages under water and
territory extending from 100 miles
north of Memphis to 200 miles south
and from 5 to 40 miles wide, IS sub
merged. Hundreds OF thousands Of
acres of cultivated soil with growing
crops are included in the submerged
territory. In this section, alone there
are from 50, 900 to so 900 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 inhabitants 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 IN
prepared for work even after the flood
have subSided. The entire Mississippi
valley in Arkansas is flooded and CON.
munication with many points cut Off.
In Mississippi like condition exists.
TIE levees in louisiana, with single
exception, have held, but the water IS
rising and the situation there is re-
ported as bsing extremely critical.
Under such circumstances, the cItizans
of these States look for the cooperation
and support of the national govern
ment in relieving the pressing cases
OF destitution for food, clothing and
shelter which are beyond the reach Of
local efforts. The authorities who
have communicated with the execu-
tive recognize that their first aud most
energetic duty is to provide as far as
possible the mea rs of caring for their
own citizens, but nearly all OF them
agree in the option that after these re-
sources have been exhausted, a sum
aggregating at least $3.50, 900 and pos
sloIy 100000 will be required for i'm
mediate use. Precedents are not
wanting that in such emergencies as
this congress has taken prompt, gener-
Gus and intelligent action, involving
the xp-nditure Of considerable sums
Of money, with Satisfactory results.
In 1874 $3.50, 900 was app >oriated and
in 1882 $3.50. 900 was also ap ,ro oriased
for relief in the same direction, be
sides large sums ia other years.
The citizens relief committee OF
Mem phis, which has taken prom y ac-
ton, has already cared for from 000
to Z, 900 refugees from the flooded Gi.-
tric!s and they are still arriving in that
city in large numbers daily. Say
plies aod provisions have 5:el sea. 10
the various points in Arkansas and
Mississippi by the committee, bat the
utmost that can be done by these e.
forts is to partly relieve the most acIte
cases OF suffering. No action has yet
been taken for the great majority O;
the inhabitants liviog n the ia:ecior.
whose condition has 6 -,dy oeea de
scri5ed. Under these conditions and
having exerted themselves to ne full.
est extent, the local authori IL; have
reluctantly confessed their ability
to further cope with this dis! essing
situation uuai3ed by the gove:nme-t
It has therefore, seemed 10 ne that
the representatives o. the peo) )ie should
be promptly informed UI tie n4tIre
and exieat Of the suffering aad neeIs
of these stricken people ard l have
communicated these facts in the hope
and belief that The legislative branch
Of the government Will prompt : re
enforce the work OF the local au!hori,
ties ia the States named.
WILLIAM MCKINLEY.
"ExecItive Mansion, April I, 1897"
APPROPRIATION MADE.
WASHINGTON, April The j joint
resolution making appropriation for
the tiood sufferers passed through
both houses OF congress with a rush
and was sigrel by President. Pro
Ten. Frye of the senate and Speaker
Reed Of the house and sent up to the
White House for President Mckin.ey's
approval.