Hutchinson gazette. [volume] (Hutchinson, Kan.) 1895-1902, 1897-04-08
SPECIAL MESSAGE.
The President Posts Congress About
the Mississippi Floods
URGES AID FOR THE SOUTH.
Ir. Mckinley Says Precedsnts Are Not
Wanting In Which Congress Has Taken
Prompt Action In Like Cases Of
Emergency.

WASHINGTON, April THE president
to-day sent the following message to
congress:
To the Senate and House OF Representatives;
Information which has recently come 10 me
from the governors Of Arkansas, Mississippi
and Louisiana and from prominent citizens OF
these states and Tennessee, warrants the con-
clusiOn that widespread disasters, involving
the destruction Of a large amount OF property
and loss OF human life has resulted from the
foods which have been submerglng that sec
tion Of the country.
These are stated on reliable authority 10 be
the most destructive floods that have ever do
vastated the Mississippi valley the water
reaching the highest stage 10 has reached De-
fore. From Marion Ark, north OF Memphis,
to Greenville Miss. a distance OF more than
$50 miles by river, It Is reported there are
now ut least 80 towns and villages
under water and q territory extending
from 100 miles north OF Memphis 70
200 miles south and from 1--WE to 20 miles wide
is submerged Hundreds Of thousands OF ncres
OF cultivated soil with growing crops are in
cluded In the submerged territory. In this sec
ton alone there are from 30 0)O 70 $1,000 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 inhabitants OF certain
areas are threatened with starvation.
As great majority OF the sufferers are small
farmers, they have thus been left entirely
destitute aud will be unprepared for work. even
after the foods have subsidized The entire
Mississippi valley In Arkansas Is flooded and
communication with many points cut on. In
Mississippi like condition exists. The leVees
In Louisiana, with . single exception. have
held; but the water Is rising and the situation
there Is reported rs being extremely critical
Under such circumstances the citizens OF
these states look for the corporation and sup
port Of the national government In relieving
the pressing cases Of restitution for food
clothing and shelter which are beyond the
reach OF local Efforts The authorities who
have communicated with the executive recog-
nize that their first and most energetic duty Il
to provide, as far as possible, the means or car
| ing for their own citizens, but nearly all OF
them agree IN the opinion that after the re-
sources have been exhausted sum agRregat-
ing at least $4,000 and possibly seOOOO VIII
! 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 considerable sums OF money
with satisfactory results In 1874 si9J,OO was
appropriated and In lSs3 Sl5J.oOO was also APP
propriated for relief IN the same direction. be-
side large sums In other years.
! The citizens relief committee OF Memphis
! which has taken prOmp. action. has already
! cared for from $500 u 100 refugees from the
tJJiel district. aud they are stih arrV-