The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1897-04-14
To RELIEVE WANT.
President Mckinley Sends a Spe-
cial Message to Congress.
He Urges Ala for the Flood Sufferers
both branches Act Promptly
and Appropriate S2OO,OOO
for That Purpose.

Washington, April 8. - The president
TO the senate and house of representa-
ti,es:
Information which has recently come to
me from the governors OF Arkansas, Mis-
sissippi and Louisiana and from prominent
citizens OF these states and Tennessee war
rants the conclusion that widespread dis
tress. involving the destruction of a large
amount OF property and loss OF human
life. has resulted from the floods which
have been submerging that section Of the
country. These are stated, on reliable
authority, to be the most destructive
floods that have ever devastated the Mis-
sissippi valley, the water being much high
er than the highest stage IL has reached
before. From Marion, Ark, north of Mem
phis. to Greenville. Miss, a distance of
more than $50 miles by river. 1t is reported
there are now at least 90 towns and vii
lagos under water; and a territory ex-
tending from 100 miles north of Memphis
TO 200 miles south. and from to 40 miles
wide. Is submerged. Hundreds OF thou
sands OF acres OF cultivated soil, with
growing crops, are included In the sub
merged territory. In this section alone
there are from $4,000 TO so, 900 people whose
property has been destroyed and whose
business has been suspended. Growing
crops have been ruined, thousands of cat
tie have been drowned and the inhabitants
OF certain areas threatened with starva-
tion. AS great majority Of the sufferers
are small farmers. they have thus been
left entirely destitute and will be unprc-
pared for work even after the floods have
subsidized.
THE entire Mississippi valley in Arkan-
sas is flooded and communication with
many points cut off. In Mississippi like
condition exists. The levees In Louisiana,
with single exception, have held: but the
water is rising and the situation there Is
TeDOrteQ being extremely critical
Look to Government for Aid.
of these states look for the coopsrat!on
and support OF the national government I'm
relieving the pressing cases of destituticn
for food. clothing and shelter which are
beyond the reach OF local efforts. The
authorities who have communicated with
the executive recognize that their first
and most energetic duty Is to provide as
far as possible the means OF caring for
their own citizens; but nearly all of them
agree in the opinion that after their re-
sources have been exhausted a sum ag-
gregating at least $4,000. and possibly
$200,0O0 Will 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 considera bile
sums of money. with satisfactory results
In 1874 $4,000 was appropriated. and in
1sS2 S550.OOO was also appropriated for re-
leI IN the Same ulreCllOH, DeslueS large
sums In other years.
Relief Work Being Done
1.-The citizens relief committee of Mem
phis, which has taken prompt action, has
already cared for from 5000 to 1000 refu-
gees from the flooded districts, and they
are still arriving in that city in large num-
hers daily. Supplies and provisions have
been sent TO the various points in Arkan-
sas and Mississippi by this committee but
the most that can be done by these eff
forts is to partly relieve the most acute
cases OF suffering. No action has yet been
taken for the great majority of the In
hapitants living In the interior whose con-
dition has already been described.
Under these conditions. and having ex-
erted themselves TO the fullest extent, the
local authorities have reluctantly confessed
their inability to further cope with this
distressing situation unaided by relief from
the government
Need of Prompt Action.
'Tt has therefore seemed TO me that
the representatives of the people should
be promptly informed of the nature and
extent OF the suffering and needs of these
stricken people and | have communicated
these facts in the hope and belief that the
legislative branch OF the government will
promptly reinforce the work of the local
authorities in the states named.
WILLIAM M'KINLEY.
sExecutive Mansion April z 1897"