The Great Galveston Disaster: Containing a Full and Thrilling Account of the Most Appalling Calamity of Modern Times Including Vivid Descriptions of the Hurricane and Terrible Rush of Waters; Immense Destruction of Dwellings, Business Houses, Churches, and Loss of Thousands of Human Lives; Thrilling Tales of Heroic Deeds; Panic-Stricken Multitudes and Heart-Rending Scenes of Agony; Frantic Efforts to Escape a Horrible Fate; Separation of Loved Ones, etc., etc.; Narrow Escapes from the Jaws of De — John Stuart Mill — John Shaqi
The Great Galveston Disaster: Containing a Full and Thrilling Account of the Most Appalling Calamity of Modern Times Including Vivid Descriptions of the Hurricane and Terrible Rush of Waters; Immense Destruction of Dwellings, Business Houses, Churches, and Loss of Thousands of Human Lives; Thrilling Tales of Heroic Deeds; Panic-Stricken Multitudes and Heart-Rending Scenes of Agony; Frantic Efforts to Escape a Horrible Fate; Separation of Loved Ones, etc., etc.; Narrow Escapes from the Jaws of De
John Stuart Mill · en
THE BALL HIGH SCHOOL, GALVESTON—AFTER THE FLOOD]
“To establish and enforce proper sanitary regulations, remove the debris
and sources of infection and maintain an effective police protection
will require rigorous and intelligent organization under State control
and adequately supported by public funds. It is not to be expected that
the local authorities will be equal to these demands, for they are
completely demoralized by the terrible calamity that has so recently
swept over their country. They are exhausted, unnerved and broken in
body, mind and spirit by the strain through which they have passed, and
are in no condition to meet these after perils. This, in my judgment, is
the phase of the problem that is most serious and may require
legislative aid.
HOW TO MEET THE EMERGENCY.
“The cost of a special session, if the necessity exists, is not to be
considered, for it is insignificant compared with the inestimable cost
of the failure of the State to do its duty in the premises. Besides, the
expense of a called session and of an adequate appropriation would be
distributed over the entire taxpaying population of the State and would
be inappreciable on each taxpayer. It is an emergency in which the
responsibility for a mistake makes it a very troublesome question for
the Governor.
“If there is the danger that I speak of, and I think no doubt can be
entertained as to that, delay may be fatal to any action to be hereafter
taken, for if the plague should once take root and begin its work, no
amount of outlay and vigilance can ever compensate the loss caused by a
hesitating or dilatory policy. On the other hand, the contributions made
and to be made and the agencies already at the command of the
authorities may be adequate for the necessities. I do not personally
know just what the conditions and resources may be, but if anything is
to be done it must be done speedily, and the responsibility for errors
is not a light one. I do not doubt that the Governor is in touch with
the situation and will do his duty.”
General H. B. Stoddard, deputy grand master of the grand encampment of
Knights Templars of the United States, one of the most exalted positions
in America, returned to Houston from a visit to Galveston and made his
headquarters there. He went down to size up the situation for the grand
order of which he is the head. He was there two days, all of which time
he used to get accurately at the facts. He moved about through the city
to see for himself, and also talked to the prominent business men in
order to reach a nearly accurate conclusion. He met prominent officials
of his own and other orders, together with distinguished physicians.
“I agree with statements that it is a terrible disaster, but I think
some of the estimates have been made too high,” said he. “I want you to
bear in mind if my investigation would indicate it, I would put the loss
of life at any figure, no matter how great.”