The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1897-04-09
NEEDED RELIEF
For the Flood Sufferers of the West and
uthwest-President Mckinley's Mes
sage to Congress on the Subject.

HAoHINGTON, April S.-Ihe preSl-
dent sent this message to congress
Wednesday:
TO the Senate and House of Representa-
nves; Inform Ion which has recently come
TO me from the governors of Arkansas Mis-
slsSlppl and Louisiana, and from prominent
citizens Of these states and Tennessee con-
tanning the conclusion that widespread dis
sress, Involving the destruction of large
amount Of property and loss of human
lie has resulted from the floods which have
submerged this sec ton of the country These
are stated on reliable authority, to be the
most destructive floods that have ever devas-
tated the Mississippi valley. the water being
much higher than the highest stage it
has reached before From Marion Ark
north of Memphis. to Greenville Miss ads
tance OF more than $50 miles by river it is re-
ported there are now at least fifty towns and
villages under water; and territory extend
ing from 100 miles north of Memphis to 200
miles south and from to 40 miles wide, is sub
merged Hundreds of thousands of acres 'of
cultivated soil with growing crops are in
Guided In the submerged territory. In this
section alone there are from $4,000 to go 600
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 threatened with starvation.
AS great majority of the sufferers are small
farmers they have thus been left entirely
destitute and will be unprepared for work
even after the floods have subsidized
The entire Mississippi valley in Arkansas is
flooded and communication with many points
cut off. In Mississippi like condition exists
The leveeS in Louisiana. with a single excep-
tion, have held: but the water is rising and
the situation there is reported as being ex-
tremely critical Under such circumstances
the citizens of these states look for the CO.
operation n %
ment in relieving the pressing
cases of restitution for food cloth
ing 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 in the opinion that, after their re-
sources have been exhausted a sum aggre-
eating at least $3.50 900 and possibly $4,000
will be required for immediate use.
Precedents are not wanting that in such
emergencies as this congress has taken
prompt, generous and intelligent action in
Volving the expenditure of considera bic sums
of money with satisfactory results. In 1874
100000 was appropriated and in 1882. 1850, OOJ
was also appropriated for relief in the same
direction beside large sums in other years
The citizens relief committe of Mem phis,
which has taken prompt action, has already
CdFcU lOf from D UUJ TO I.UUU refugees from the
flooded districts and they are still
arriving in that city in large numbers
daily. Supplies and provisions have been
sent to the various points in Arkansas and
Mississippi by this committee, but the utmost
that can be done by these efforts is to partly
relieve the most acute cases of suffering. No
action has yet been taken for the great ma
jority of the inhabitants living in the in
terror whose condition has already been de-
scribed.
Under these conditions and having exerted
themselves TO the fullest extent the local au-
thorities have reluctantly confessed their in
ability to further cope with this distressing
situation unaided by relief from the govern
ment
1t has therefore seemed to me that the rep
resentatives of the people should be
promptly informed Of the nature and
extent Of the suffering and needs of these
stricken people, and l have communicated
these facts in the hope and belief that the
legislative branch of the government will
promptly reinforce the work of the local au-
thoritieS in the states named
WILLIAM MCKINLEY
Executive Mansion.
The reading of the message in the
senate was followed by a resolution
offered by Mr.. Jones jdem., Ark. APP
propriating $3.50, 900 for the relief of
the sufferers and authorizing the use
of the government boats. 1t was
unanimously passed
In the house Mr.. Catching dem,
Miss.) offered and obtained consent for
the immediate consideration of reso-
luton appropriating soc, 600 for their
relief. 1t was also unanimously
passed.
The senate then accepted the house
provision for $50 600 extra
President Mckinley Immediately
signed the resolution.
A Pointer for Tomato Gamers.
WASHINGTON. April So. S. Consul
fancy, at Belfast reports to the state
department that the Italian canned
tomatoes are supplanting the Amer
lean tomatoes, largely used there, ow
ing, as the dealers say, to the fact that
the American vegetable is overlooked
or overripe, and consequently is not
as firm when opened as the Italian to-
matoes. BY using deceptive form of
tin, too. the Italian cans appear to be
larger than American.
WASHINGTON, April S-The president
Wednesday sent to the senate the fol-
lowing nominations:
StmaSters-Indiana: Lavergne B.
Stevens, Button; Ellis G. Darnell,
Lebanon: William C. Silver, Pendle-
ton.
Commodore Montgomery Sicard, to
be rear admiral; Capt. Albert Kautz,
to be commodore; Eieuts. Richard c.
Davenport and Edward b. Barry, to be
lieutenant commanders.
WAsHINGTON, April S.-Secretary
Sherman stated Wednesday night that
he had assurances that Gen. Riviera,
the insurgent leader, would not be eX-
ecuted but would be treated as pris-
oner of war Gen. Riviera was capt
ured after. being wounded in a recent
battle and it was feared for a time
that he would be executed by the Span
ish authorities for his participation in
the re bellion.
Gen. Lee Denies 1t.
HAVANA, April S.-Consul General
Lees attention having been called by
the representative of the Associated