Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1877-05-05
From Washington.
ESPECIAL DISPATCHES TO THE GAZETTE.
WASHINGTON Mav5 1877

ESPECIAL DISPATCHES TO THE GAZETTE.
WASHINGTON, May 5, 1877.
Upon sudden suggestion yesterday after
noon, after the close Ct the Gazette's report,
the Cabiret, which had already agreed that an
extra session vas necessary, cane 70 a halt co
the question of the time, aud it was agreedto
leave that al open question for the present, it
being generally understood that unless 40 ear
lier day is adopted the extra session will be
called On the 18th Of October. The date Of the
session is, however, by GO means a settled mat
ter. The Cabibet yesterday voted: lst. That
az extra session was necessary; "a, that proc.
lanation calling one be issued Immediately.
Then came up the question of The time. Upon
inquiry it was ascert2ned that without any ul-
mediate appropriation Of mOney the army could
be clothed aud supplied With all its necessities,
and tina. u1tii the 18Th Of October only one
regular pay day has 10 be passed. 1t Was also
considered that If Congress meets in October it
may remain in continued session and finish its
business before next summer, 80 is to avoid the
inconvenience Of the hot season next year as
we'll as this.
A membur OF The Cabinet explained 10 re-
gard to the postponement of the opportunity
tor the enactment OF az army appropriation bill
that the soldiers are now paid only oDcc 10 every
two months, aod that GO very great inconvenI
encc will be caused to them ~ the lGtermls-
sion OF one pay day, as this nus happened 10
most of them more than once heretofore.
1t was then agreed to postpone the session
until the 18th OF October, and as after this
there was no pressing need Of Immediate ac-
ton, the subject went over, other matters be-
ing taken up
Secretary McCrary says that the matter had
been decided according to the theory that 1t
Was best 10 avoid a session durDg the hot
! weather. lie said the Prcsdeot had desired
it, and according to the decision 10 Cabinet it
was proposed to issue the proclamation imme.
diately. But he said since that decision mad
been reached another scrIOuI difficulty had pre-
sened itself. The custom OF the Department,
as prescribed By law, has been to deduct . per
centage of the pay OF enlisted mcu, which Was
| to be delivered 10 them iu the aggregate upon
| their discharge alter they had served their
| time. 10 cases where uen have served the
| usual term Of five years the money due 10 cash
| man amounts to several hundred dollars. his
| sum will foot to great deal 10 the aggregate,
| especially when it is considered that the aver
| aRc ulSCuaIS eo clual dUout UuC HILL VI
| the army. The money duc these men 10 de-
| posted 10 the Treasury, but cauuot be paid out
| except By special authority Of Congress. Thus,
he said, while the law requires that these mcn
| shall be paid the suns due then upon their
discharges, there was no provision ty which
| the money could be transferred to thcLu. lie
| said he had not carefully examined the law on
| the subject butupuu general priocipes he could
| not See how it Was possible to overcome The diff
Guilty. He has directed the Paymaster Geo
cral to prepare statement CT the number CT
| men to be discharged aud the amount Of reseEv-
| ed money thus Que. This statement will be
submitted to the President to-day.
! The Department Of Justice will suffer much
| Inconvenience by the poStponement Ut an extra
session, as there will be deficiency Of at least
| five hundred thousand dollars by the first Of
| July to be provided for by Congress, Gs 90
part Of the appropriation fer the fiscal year
commencing at that time can be used to supply
| such deficiency. In consequence of this state Of
affairs the settlement Of rlany accounts CT that
department has already been suspended. There
| is no money to pay officers of the navy for the
months of April, May and June.
On the basis Of last years appropriation for
| tho support of the army about twelve million
| five hundred thousand dollars will be required
to pay the accumulated Indebtedness which
will have been incurred between the commence.
ment of the next fiscal year, July l. ADD the
| time that Congress may pass the necessary ap-
| preparation bill.
1t is possible that 60 further steps will b3
| taken uuti the regular Cabinet meeting on
Tuesday. Meantime, Ct course, no proclaim
ton will be issued.
1t is possible that the order consolidating he
existing SO pension agencies will be slGreI
to. day. The number 10 be retained is reduced
to eighteen. There will be one for the States
Of Virginia, West Virginia and Tennessee.
To.DAYs VIEWS OF THE CABINET.
| Since the decision postpoping the extra SEES.