Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1877-10-25

JION v IAAlus NJ -
Misfellaneons &eading.
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
Fellou Citizens Of the Senate and House O
Representatives: The adjournment of the last
Congress without making appropriations fol
the support of the army for the present fiscal
year, has rendered necessary a suspension Of
payments to the officers and men of sums due
them for services rendered after the 30th day
of June last The army exists by virtue OF
statutes, which prescribe its numbers, regu.
late its organization and employment. and
which fix the pay of its officers and men, and
declare their right to receive the same at sta
ted periods. These statutes, however, do moi
authorize the payment Of troops in the ab
sence of specific appropriations therefor. The
constitution has wisely provided that "no
money shall be drawn from the treasury but
in consequence of appropriations made by
law" and it has also been declared by statute
that "no department of the government shall
expend in any one fiscal year sum in excess
of appropriations made by Congress for that
fiscal year." We have, therefore, an army in
service, authorized by law and entitled to be
paid, but no funds available for that purpose
1t may also be said, as an additional incen.
tive to prompt action by Congress, that, since
the commencement of the fiscal year, the
army, though without pay, has been constant.
ly and actively employed in arduous and
dangerous service, in the performance of
which both officers and men have discharged
their duty with fidelity and courage, and
without complaint. .. r.
These circumstances, in my judgment, con.
stitute an extraordinary occasion, requiring
that Congress be convened in advance Of the
time prescribed by law for your meeting in
regular session. The importance of speedy
action upon this subject on the part of Con-
gress is 80 manifest that I venture to suggest
the propriety of making the necessary appro'
priations for the support Of the army for the
current year, at its present maximum numer.
ical strength of 10000 men, leaving for fu-
ture consideration all questions relating to
the increase or decrease of the number of en-.
listed men. In the event of reduction of
the army by subsequent legislation during the
fiscal year, the excess Of appropriation could
not be expended, and in the event of its en-
the additional sum required for
the payment of extra force could be provided
for in due time 1t would be unjust to the
troops now in service, and whose pay is al
ready largely in arrears, if payment to them
should be further postponed, until after Con-
gress shall have considered all questions like
ly to arise in the effort to fix proper limit
to the strength of the army.
Estimates of the appropriations for the sup
port of the military establishment for the
year ending June 30th, 1878 were transmit.
ted to Congress by the former Secretary of
the Treasury 80 as to conform to the pres
ent requirements, are now renewed, amounting
to $32,436, ,763, SO, and, having been transmit
ted to both houses of Congress are submit.
ted for your consideration. There is also re-.
quired by the Navy Department the sum of
This sum is made of 81 ,446,'
68S.16 due to officers and enlisted men for
the last quarter of the last fiscal year $3ll, )
953.50 due for advances made by the fiscal
agent of the government in London for the
support of foreign service; $4,000 due to
Naval Hospital fund; $150,000 due for ar
rearages of pay to officers, and S45, 1888 for
support of Marine Corps. There will also
be needed an appropriation 1892, ,535 20 to
defray unsettled expenses of the United
States Courts for the fiscal year ending June
30th, last, now due to the attorneys, clerks,
and marshals, and for rent Of
court rooms, support of prisoners and other
deficiencies. A part of the building of the
Interior Department was destroyed by fire on
the 24th of last month. Some Immediate re.
pairs and temporary structures have in con-
sequence become necessary, estimates for
which will be transmitted to Congress imme-
diately, and appropriation of the requisite
funds is respectfully recommended.
I take this opportunity, also, to invite your
attention to the propriety of adopting, atyour
present session, the necessary legislation to en-
able the people of the United States to partic-
ipate in the advantages of the International
Exhibition of agriculture, industry and fine
arts, which is to be held at Paris in 1878, and
in which this government has been invited by
the government of France to take part.
This invitation was communicated in May,
1876, by the Minister of France at this capi.
tai, and copy thereof was submitted to the
proper committees of Congress at its last ses-
sion, but no action was taken upon the subject.
The Department of State has received many
letters from various parts of the country, ex.
pressing desire to participate in the exhibit
ton, and numerous applications of similar
nature have also been made at the United
States legation in Paris. The Department of
State has also received official advice of q
strong desire on the part of the French gov
ernment that the United States should partic-
pate in, the enterprise, and space has hitherto
been and is still reserved in the exhibition
buildings for the use of exhibitors from the
United States, to the exclusion of other par
ties who have been applicants therefor.
In order that our industries may be proper
ly represented at the exhibition, an appropri-
alton will be needed for the payment of sala.
ries and expenses of commissioners, for the
transportation of goods, and for other purpo:
ses in connection with the object in view, and
as May next, is the time fixed for the opening
of the exhibition, if our citizens are to share
the advantages of this International competi.
ton for the trade of other nations, the neces-
sity of immediate action is apparent.
To enable the United States to cooperate
with the International Exhibition which was
held at Vienna in 1873, Congress then passed
a joint resolution making an appropria tion of
$500, 1000, and authorizing the President to
appoint certain number of practical artisans
and scientific men, who should attend the ex-
hibition, and report their proceedings and OBJ
servations to him. Provision was also made
for the appointment of number of honora-
ry commissioners have felt that prompt
action by Congress, in accepting the invita-.
tinn hy the gnvernment of France. is OF so