Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1897-04-13
MAYOR BELLS MESSAGE.
 Continued From Page One


 Continued From Page One
 back to health, and at the same time let production go on, and the hapDl- ness of home will continue.
 As 1t is well-known through the generosity of the locallodge of Royal Arcanum and the proDrietors, a charity ward at the Pine Bluff In- firmary has been offered the public, on condition that the necessary funds for it's maintenance be i'll some manner raised. Private contribu- tions through our noble, charitable organizations have done much to al- leviate the sufferings of our poor, but that is iaadequate and besides. this method bears unequally upon the charitable inclined; the miser who gives nothing, the nonresident property owners and also the cor porations, who share all the benefits of our protection and state of so- eiety, without it's burdens. 1t is plain to be seen that such work should bear equally on all; hence should be done from the city treas ury. I, therefore, recommend that some new plan be devised by which the destitute sick stranger wit hin your gates, together with our own worthy sick and needy, may be en- abled to receive proper aid from our abundance, in accordance with the dictates of humanity ,and the accred- ited usages of all civilized people the world over.
 AID FOR FLOOD SUFFERERS.
 While discussing plans for alleviat- ing the distress of the worthy poor and destitute, feel that 1t will not be amiss for me to call the attention Of your Honorable Body to the great distress and Restitution prevailing in the eastern counties Of our State by reason of the unparalleled flooded condition of the Mississippi river. The fair city Of Helena, and many towns and villages situated in our eastern tier Of counties, have been inundated for many days, and the resources of local relief committees have been taxed to their utmost, yet have proved inadequate to even par fiAlly alleviate the vast amount of suffering, sickness and sorrow caus- ed by the relentless flood waters that have broken past all human barriers and are sweeping away the earthly possessions of thousands of our once happy and prosperous fellow citizens and their families. My worthy pre- decnssor. some two weeks ago, when the cry for relief was not as urgent as now, called q meeting of citizens for the purpose ol devising means to aid the flood sufferers, but his own unavoidable absence from the city on or about the day designated doubtless resulted in q slim attend ance and the formulation of no plan to carry ont the laudable purpose for which the meeting was called.
 I would suggest, as q speedier plan to attain the desired end, that the Council designate general relief or subscription committee, consisting of not less than two citizens of each ward, to cooperate with them in making an immediate and thorough canvass Of the city for contributions of money, food and clothing for the Arkansas flood sufferers, and that such contributions be forwarded. without unnecessary delay, to the local relief committees at Helena and Memphis, near which latter city thousands of our homeless people are still in camp and dependent up- on the charity of strangers for their daily sustenance. l believe, further. that the great emergency and the excellent financial condition of our city assriiown by the annual report of the City Clerk, would justify the City Council in making an appropri- alton for the relief of flood sufferers, thus combating t,.e worthy example of Little Rock. and other municipali- ties in this and various States throughout our broad and generous land, whose people are ever ready to. lfeten and respond to the cry of suf- lerlpg and dIstress, regardless of sec