The morning news., 1897-04-08
CONGRESS GIVES TO CHARITY.
10Th HOUSES VOTE $500, 900 FOR
THE FLOOD SUFFERERS.

Aoh IA the hOuSe-Ahe vote on II
Unanimous, Hut NIessrs walker of
Massachusetts and Cannon of IiIi-
nOis object to the Principle In
voIvcd.
Washington, April 7.-President McKin-
ley sent a message to congress to-day, re-
commencing an appropriation for the BEN
eft of the flood sufferers in the Mississippi
valley, and a joint resolution appropriat-
ing $500, 600 passed each branch by unani-
nous vote.
The relief resolution was introduced in
the House by Mr.. Catchings, dem, of
Mississippi and agreed to unanimously.
Mr.. Walker rep, of Massachusetts, and
Mr.. Cannon, rep, of Illinois. criticised the
appropriation however. the later hoping
that it was the last that would be neces-
sary, because of the failure of the states
to put themselves into a position where
they could constitutionally take care of
their own people. Mr.. Walker gave no.
tice that he would in the future object to
the passage of any similar resolution be-
lieving it to be debasing in It's effects upon
the recipients.
The message from the President was
read in the Senate, and was followed by
the introduction and passage of the Joint
resolution appropriating Sl50000 for that
purpose. Before this action could he
communicated to the House. a joint reso~
luton was received from that body ap-
propriating 100000 for the same purpose,
and including the Red river of the North
in the territory to be aided. This House
joint resolution was Immediately passed
by the Senate-action thereon and on Nr.
Bates Joint resolution on Monday being
reconsidered and annulled.
The President signed the relief resolu-
ton a 2 o'clock and left the white house
Immediately with Mrs. Mckinley, Mrs.
SaXton, Mr. and Mrs. j. Addison Porter
and DR.. Bates, United States navy, for
the navy yard, where they boarded the
Dolphin
Beyond the fact that the vessel steamed
down the Potomac river nobody but those
IN the confidence of the President knows
where the vessel is bound.
The President just before leaving signed
the bill authorizing the sending of a YES
sci with supplies to the famine sufferers
of India.
Secretary Alger promptly called his
army advisers together Immediately after
the President approved the resolution, 10
devise the best method of affording the
greatest possible relief. His first action
was to order six officers of the inspector
| generals department into the flooded dis
I
conditions which prevail at various places
| and the assistance needed
Inc conference with the chief of engi-
neers, the adjutant general, the quarter
master general, and the commissary gem
eral of subsistence with the Secretary of
War, was attended by n. c. Groves and
]. s. Menl1ens of Memphis, who have been
here all the week urging an appropriation
and who were able to state the most ur-
gent needs. They said all that was immedi-
ately needed at Memphis and below was
food and medicine, meat flour, corn meal
and molasses TO prevent starvation. and
quinine for those who had been exposed to
the high water They did not need tents
or blankets for the present although they
might be required later.
1t was decided that the engineers boats
should be utilized to assist in the distri-
button of supplies, and orders were tele-
graphed Capt George b. Davis commls-
sary of subsistence at Chicago, to pro-
ceed at once to Memphis to consult with
the relief committee there and to pur-
chase all food and medicine needed.
These prompt measures are intended 10
relieve the most pressing distress, AMI
Secretary Alger hopes in a day or two to
be in possession OF exact information
from all the flooded districts and that
help may be rendered to all localities.
Following is the text of the Presidents
message:
To the Senate and House of Representa-
! tives: Information which has recently
come TO me from the governors of Arkan-
sas Miss issippi and Louisiana and from
prominent citizens of these states and
Tennessee. warrants the conclusion that
widespread distress, involving the de-
struction of a large amount of property
and loss of human life, has resulted from
the foods which have submerged that sec
ton of the country These are stated, on
raIfa a nj IN hn ho
tive foods that have ever devastated the
Mississippi valley, the water being much
higher than the highest stage 1t has
reached before. From Marion, Ark,
north Of Memphis TO Greenvlle, Miss, a
distance of more than $50 miles by river,
it is reported that there are now at least
50 to 100 towns and villages under water;
and a territory extending from 100 miles
north of Memphis to 200 miles south and
from five to forty miles wide, is SUBJ
merged Hundreds of thousands OF acres
of cultivated soil with growing crops are
included In the submerged territory. IN
this section alone there are from $4,000 TO
10000 people whose property has been de.
stroyed and whose business has been sus-
pended. Growing crops have been ruined,
thousands of cattle have been drowned
and the inhabitants Of certain areas
threatened with starvation. AS n great
majority Of the sufferers are small farm
ers, they have thus been left entirely das-
titute and will be upprepared for work
even after the floods have subsided.
The entire Mississippi valley In Arl1an-
sas Is flooded and communication with
many points cut off. In Mississippi a like
condition exists. The levees in Louisiana.
with a single exception, have held. but
the water Is rising and the situation there
is reported as being extremely critical.
Under such circumstances. the citizens
Of these states look for the cooperation
and support Of the national government In
relieving the pressing cases Of destitution
for food. clothing and shelter, which are
beyond the reach OF local efforts. The au-
thorities 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 az least $4,000 and possibly
$4,000 viii be required for immediate use.
Procedcnts are not wanting that In such
EMERGENCIES as this congress has taken
prompt. generous and intelligent action.
involving the expenditure Of considerable
aufro Of rnoury with aqflnfaaforv r.astIf.