ituation there is reported as being extremely
critical.

Under such circumstances the citizens of these States look for the
co-operation 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 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
resources have been exhausted a sum aggregating at least $150,000 and
possibly $200,000 will be required for immediate use.

Precedents are not wanting that in such emergencies as this Congress
has taken prompt, generous, and intelligent action, involving the
expenditure of considerable sums of money, with satisfactory results.
In 1874 $590,000 was appropriated, and in 1882 $350,000 was also
appropriated for relief in same direction, besides large sums in other
years.

The citizens' relief committee of Memphis has taken prompt action,
has already cared for from 6,000 to 7,000 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 majority of the
inhabitants living in the interior, whose condition has already been
described.

Under these conditions and having exerted 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. It 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 I have
communicated these facts in the hope and belief that the legislative
branch of the Government will promptly re-enforce the work of the local
authorities in the States named.

WILLIAM McKINLEY.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, April 14, 1897_.

_To the Senate and House of Representatives_:

I transmit herewith for the consideration of the respective Houses
of the Congress, a report of the Secretary of State representing the
appropriateness of ear