The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-10-17
Presidents Message.
Fello,o- Citizens of the Senate and House

FellOlo- Citizens OF the Senate ana Rouse OF
Representatives
The adjournment of the last Congress
without making any appropriations for the
support of the army for the present fiscal
wear has rendered necessary the suspension
OF payments to the officers and men OF the
sums due them for services rendered after
the Goth day OF June last.
The army exists now by virtue OF the
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 stated periods. These statutes, how
ever, do not authorize the payment OF the
troops in the absence of specific appropria-
lions. Therefore 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 Gov.
eminent shall eXpend in any one fiscal
year any sum in excess OF the appfoprla-
tons made by Congress for that fiscal year"
We have, therefore, an army IN service, all-
thorized by law and entitled to be PAID,
but with no funds available for that pur.
pose. 1t may also be said, as an additional
incentive to prompt action by Congress, that
the army, though without pay, has been
constantly and actively employed in urdt,-
ous and dangerous service, in the perform
ance of which both the officers and inch
have discharged their duty with fidelity
and courage. and without complaint. These
circumstances, in my Judgment, constitute
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
! Congress is so manifest that | venture 10
suggest the propriety Of making the ne
| ceSsary appropriations for the support OF
the army for the current year at It's present
maximum numerical strength OF ID, 900 men,
leaving for future consideration all qucs..
| tious relating to an increase or decrease or
the number OF enlisted men. In the event
of the reduction Of the army by SUBJ
i sequent legislation during the fiscal year,
the excess Of any appropriation could not
be expended, and in the event OF its en-
| largement the additional sum required Tor
the payment OF the extra force could be
/ provided in due time. 1t would be unjust
to the troops now in service, and whose
pay is already largely in arrears, IL payment
to them should be further postponed until
| dlltI Suuti Luf COuSAlSl Gu az
questions likely to arise in efforts to fix the
proper limit OF the strength of the
army. The estimates OF appropriations
required for the support OF the mil
itary establishment for the fiscal year
ending June 80, 1878, were transmitted to
Congress by former Secretary of the
Treasury at the opening of its session in
December last. These estimates, modified
by the present Secretary so as to conform to
present requirements. are now renewed,
amounting to $50, 436, 764.9S, and, having
been transmitted to both houses OF Con.
gress, are submitted for your consideration.
There is also required by the Navy De.
partment S2,0O3,s61.27. This sum is made
up Of $1,446,G6S.16 due to officers and en-
listed men for the last quarter Of the last
fiscal year, S3l1, 055,5O5 due for advances
made By the fiscal agent OF the Government
in London for the support OF the foreigl
service, $4,000 due to the Naval Hospita
fund, $150,0O0 due for arrearages OF pay tt
officers, and $45,219.5s for the support o.
the Marine corps,
! There will olso he needed an appropriation