The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1897-04-15
CONGRESS- PASSED A RESOLUTION
IN RESPONSE TO THE PREsI-
DENTS MESSAGE.
|NR. SIMPSON ATTACKS The SPEAKER
For Not Filling Vacancies on Com
mittees-Mr. Simpson Squelched
in the Politest Manner POSI-
ble-MOrgan on Cuba.

promptly today on the president mes
sage and adopted resolution authorizing
the secretary of war to expend 100000
for the flood sufferers.
The most interesting feature of the
session was passage between Repre-
sentative Simpson, the Kansas populist,
and the speaker.
Mr.. Simpson gave voice to the opposi-
ton to the speakers temporary policy,
quarters, by speaking to a question of
privilege. He finished fierce denun-
citation of the speaker by demanding that
he appoint the committees of the house
at once, and gave notice that he would
prevent attempts to do business by unan-
imous consent.
Several members attempted to stem the
tide of Mr.. Simpsons denunciation, but
Mr.. Reed seemed inclined to hear it out.
He listened calmly to, the speech and then
replied that the. speaker was merely the
instrument of the house, that he had ex
ecuted the policy he thought to be de-
sired by the majority and asked if the
majority of the house disapproved of his
course. The republicans expressed their
approval by a round of applause.
After the presidents message had been
read, Mr.. Catchings of Mississippi asked
unanimous consent to the consideration
Of Joint resolution authorizing the sec
rotary of war to distribute relief among
the flood sufferers. 1t appropriated $780,
600 for the purpose, and authorizes the
secretary to employ the government boats
and other means on the Mississippi for
the distribution of relief to the sufferers,
and also any other means he might think
necessary for the distribution of supplies
contributed by the government or private
individuals for the relief of the flood vic
tins.
Mr.. Catchings stated that the president
and secretary of war had been in COM
munication with officials throughout the
flooded districts and he was in favor of
measures for prompt relief.
He referred to precedents of congress
sional relief in 1882 and 1888.
Mr.. Walker Gep) of Massachusetts
was inclined to object. Mr.. Walker said
Mr.. Catchings should present some rea-
kon why the states affected by the floods
4 should not bear the expense of the relief
for their own people, to which Mr.. Catch
ings replied there was no authority under
the constitution for the legislatures to
dsburse money for such purposes. More
over, the legislatures were not in session
and the governors had no such authority.
Mr.. Walker made vigorous reply in
opposition. 90.
willingness to relieve suffering in legit-
innate way, but there is nothing more
abusive more dangerous in its use than
charity. When fire consumed the city of
Chicago, the inhabitants of various cities
came to the relief of Chicago. but were
that same disaster to reach Chicago to-
day, or any other of the great cities, any
one of those cities and the states they
are located in would decline such assis-
lance, feeling it was intrenching on their
self-respect and assuming on the duties
which belonged to the state they were
in. When fire destroyed Boston and
relief was rendered by outside cities, BOs-
ton thanked them for their kindness, but
declined, begging the privilege of caring
for her own citizens.
There are no new circumstances, ana
If amendments were necessary to the
constitutions of those states, they should
have attended to the amendment of their
constitution or in some manner placed
ample power in the hands of the execu-
tives of these states. While | have not
objected to the consideration of this mat
ter, and while / shall not vote against
1t, this is the last time / shall ever abate
my. Judgment and my conscience in VIC
!!ating what / believe is the constitution,
IN violating the manlness of the people
Of the states involved in this injury and
doing wrong to the people themselves by
needlessly and in a humiliating manner
going to the rescue of states that are
aDundantly able to take care of their own
people. l believe there is nothing that
could come to the citizens of those states
+ that would have so great a moral and
economic effect as to call upon them to
take care of injuries now done and the
Mr.. Simpson-Why did not the gentle
man prevent it on Saturday, when he
poor of India?
Mr.. Walker-That was a national af-
falr where the private citizens had made
contributions from all the states, and l
dld not then approve of that act. / be-
neve that when any people contribute to
a people anywhere. that contribution
should cover the delivery of that charity.
am opposed to charity everywhere under
all circumstances daughter on the dem
Ocratc slde) except where it is an abso-
lutte necessity and when the poor and
suffering can not be alleviated in any
other manner or direction. 1t is not for
us to take the money out of the pockets
or the people and distribute it for charity,
ana II we do it we should be personally
responsible for it.
Mr.. Simpson-That is what you have
done for the benefit of the manufacturers.
MI. Catchings said the stricken states
were not mendicants. They were more
overwhelmed by taxation than any other
section. His own congressional district
has, spent over $250,000 to avert the
Hood. 1t was time for the government
TO harness this great river and in the next
congress logical scheme for this purpose
would be presented.
MIR. Cannon (rep) of Illinois said he
did not approve of tie line of argument
sad thing, indeed, for constitution of
any state. to he so framed that it gave
no power to relieve the sufferings, the des--
1Itute and afflicted. The legislatures of
tennessee and Kentucky did not believe
they had such power. 1t was evident
tnere was great suffering in the Missis-
|sslppi valley and there were precedents
t3r relieving the suffering. He hoped
mat the time would come when the states
Riers. i ~ '"
Mr. Gaines (dem) of Tennessee read a
Telegram from the governor of Tonnes