The Red Cloud chief., 1897-01-15
Relief Of Dronth sufferers.


When I assumed the duties of the ONCE
Of governor OF the state. two years ago,
the people OF Nebraska were distressed,
not only by reason of the general de-
preston In business affairs. low prices
and steady and continued depreciation in
property values, but also from the result
Of an unprecedented and disastrous
drouth. These adverse climatic condi-
lions were moi confined to Nebraska alone,
but prevailed In various parts of the coun-
try. It was an abnormal condition and
may not be experienced again during q
generation OF our people. Absolute want
and distress could only be prevented by
prompt and e~ficient Organisation for the
purpose Of supplying h pressing needs
OF the unfortunate drought sufferers until
another season should bring the usual
bountiful harvest.
GENEROUS CONTRIBUTIONS.
oundt that. under the direction of my
predecessor. steps had been taken looking
to . systematic method Of collecting and
distributing provisions to alleviate the i'm
mediate wants Of the people in thu at
fectsd portion Of the state. When It be-
came generally known that provisions
would have to be mads to relieve those
impoverished by the drouth, thers was
a. generous and spontaneous response
from all sections OF the nation. The con.
tributlons became so liberal that Il taxed
the ingenuity OF those In charge Of the
distribution Of these free offerings TO
place them In the hands Of those most
deserving OF assistance and, at the same
time. to not tax the generosity OF the
benevolent people to Q greater extent than
absolutely required to prevent suffering.
/ deem 1t my duty. In behalf Of the
unfortunate people who were affected by
this calamity to express to all who SO
nobly responded to their distress by con-
tributions Of provisions or money. and
also to the railroad. express. telegraph
and telephone companies which SO liber-
ally assisted In the work Of alternating
suffering, our sincere gratitude and lasting
thanks Tor their manifestation of human
sympathy and benevolence exercised DUR
Ing this trying period. Since that I'M
fortunate calamity. a. before. Nebraska
has been blessed with bounteous crops
and the disagreeable experience she
passed through appears to her people as
q hideous dream.
THE RELIEF COMMISSION.
After the organisation OF the legislature
an act was passed creating a relief CON-
mission. composed of I'VE well known citi-
sens. giving to them entire control and
mAnagemsnt In the discharge Of this i'm
portant work. Tho report Of the rsiief
commission ha. been submitted to me and
you will doubtless be supplied with
copies. You will observe by this report.
as well as by reference to the acts of the
last legislature. that the state contributed
10000, which was placed at the disposal
OF the relief commission. and an additional
sum Of 500. 900. which was by the relief
commission distributed among this sev-
trai counties OF the state where IN peo-
rle were regarded as being entitled to as
sis'ance OF this character for the purpose
Cf purchasing seed grain for the following
crop season. making q total appropriation
by the lsgislatuns Of 32s0, 900. In addition
to those cash donations by the legislature
and the people Of the country at large, an
immsnss amount Of supplies md provis-
ions OF dlRerent kinds were contributed.
20 obtain an accurate estimate Of which
reQuires q careful study Of the report in
detail Of b commission, The work OF
the commission Of necessity was of the
most dinicult character. carried on under
trying circumstance and I am OF the
opinion that the work Of distributing sup
Plies was done In q most thorough n
Systematic manner. I was OF the impress
sion At the time. and have since found
no reasons to change my Views, that the
organisation and method OF distribution
OF relief supplies was upon a cumbersome
ana expensive plan. BY an examination
OF the report II will be observed that
there were funds donate In the sum OF
ss. ~. y and realised from the general and
spsciel appropriations of the legislature