Omaha daily bee., 1897-01-08
RELIEF OF DROUTH SUFFERERS.
State and Nation Responded NobIy to
the CnII for Aid.


When | assumed the duties of the office of
governor of the state two years ago the
people of Nebraska were distressed, not
ony by reason of the general depression
in business affairs, low prices and STEADY
and continued depreciation in property
values, but also from the result of an un-
precedented and disastrous drouth These
adverse climatic conditions were not con-
fined to Nebraska alone, but prevailed in
various parts of the country. 1t was an
abnormal condition and may not be ex-
perienced again during a generation of our
people. Absolute want and distress could
only be prevented by prompt and efficient
organization for the purpose of supplying
the pressing needs of the unfortunate drouth
sufferers until another season should bring
the usual bountiful harvest.
| found that, under the direction of my
predecessor, steps had been taken looking
to systematic method of collecting and
distributing provisions to alleviate the i'm
mediate wants of the people in the affected
portion of the state. When 1t became gem
orally known that provisions would have to
be made to relieve those impoverished by
the drouth there was a generous and spon-
taneous response from all sections of the
nation. The contributions became so liberal
that 1t taxed the ingenuity of those in
charge OF the distribution of these free
offerings to place them in the hands of those
most deserving of assistance, and, at the
same time, to not tax the generosity of the
benevolent people to greater extent than
absolutely required to prevent suffering.
| deem 1t my duty, in behalf OF the unfor-
tunate people who were affected by this
calamity, to express to all who so nobly
responded to their distress by contributions
of provisions or money, and also to the rail-
road, express, telegraph and telephone COM
panies which so literally assisted in the
work OF allevating suffering. our sincere
gratitude and lasting thanks for their mani
festations of human sympathy and benevo-
lence exercised during this trying period.
Since that unfortunate calamity, as before,
Nebraska has been blessed with bounteous
crops and the disagreeable experience II
passed through appears to the people as
hideous dream.
After the organization OF the legislature
an act was passed creating a relief com
mission composed of five well known
citizens, giving to them entire control and
management In the discharge OF this i'm
portant work. The report OF the relief com
mission has been submitted to me. and you
will doubtless be supplied with copies You
will observe by this report. as well as by
reference to the acts of the last Legislature
that the state contributed $4,000, which was
placed at the disposal OF the relief COM
mission. and an additional sum of 5000 OOO
which was, by the relief commission, dis
trlbuted among the several counties OF the
state where the people were regarded as
being entitled to assistance OF this character
for the purpose OF purchasing seed grain for
the following crop season, making total
appropriation by the legislature OF $3.50, 900
In addition to these cash donations by the
legislature and the people of the country at
large an immense amount of supplies and
provisions OF different kinds were contrib
uted TO obtain an accurate estimate OF which
requires careful study OF the report In
detail OF the commission. The work of the
commission OF necessity was OF the most
dificult character. carried on under trying
circumstances. and l am OF the opinion that
the work OF distributing supplies was done
In a most thorough and systematic manner.
CUMBERSOME AND EXPENSIVE,
I was OF the impression at the time. and