The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1877-10-25
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

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Sent to tho Extra Session of Congress.
WASHINGTON, D. c., Oct. 16.
Fellow Citizens of the Senate and House Of
Representatives:
The adjournment Of the last Congress with.
out making appropriations for the support of
the army for the present fiscal year has rem
dercd necessary suspension of payments to
services rendered after the 3Oth of June last
The army exists by virtue of statutes which
prescribe its numbers, regulate its organiza-
ton and employment, and which fix the paw
OF It's officers and men and declare their right
to receive the same at stated periods. The
statutes, however, do not authorize thc
payment of the troops in the alb
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 any sum in ex-
for that fiscal year. We have, therefore, an
army in service, authorized by law and en-
titled to be paid, but no funds available for
that purpose. It may also be said as an
additional incentive to prompt action by
Congress that since the commencement Of
tIlC usCal yctI tuOuSu WlClOuL Day.
has been constantly and actively employed in
arduous and dangerous service, in the perform
ance of which both officers and men have
discharged their duty with fidelity and cour-
age, and without complaint. These circum-
stances, in my judgment, constitute an extra
ordinary occasion requiring that Congress
be convened in advance of the time pre-
scribcd by law for your meeting in regular
session.
The importance Of speedy action on this
subject, on the part of Congress, is so impor-
tant that venture to suggest the propriety
OF making the necessary appropriations for
the support Of the army for the current year
at it's present maximum numerical
strength of25OOO men, leaving for future con-
or decrease in the number OF enlisted men.
In the event of the reduction of the army
by subsequent legislation during the fiscal
year, the excess of the appropriation could
not be expended, and in the event of it's
enlargement the additional sum required for
the payment OF the extra force could be pro-
vided in due time. It would be unjust to the
troops now in service aXd whose pay is al
ready largely in arrears, if payment to them
should be further postponed until after Con-
grcss shall have considered all the questions
likely to arise in the effort to fix the proper
limit to the strength of the army.
, Estimates Of appropriations for support Of
ending June Both, 1878, were transmitted to
Congress by the former Secretary of the
Treasury ut the opening of it's session in De-
cember last. These estimates, modified by the
present Secretary SO as to conform to present
requirements,arcn now renewed, amounting to
$32,346, ,764.98 and having been transmitted to
both Houses Of Congress, are submitted for
your consideration.
There is also required by the Navy Depart
ment 81, ,O03, ,861 ~. This sum is made up of
$144, ,68S, 16 due to officers and enlisted men
for the last quarter of the last fiscal year:
$311 ,953, so due for advances made by the tis-
the support of the foreign service; Sc, O,O0O.rdue
the naval hospital fund; $4,000 due for ar
rearagcs ofpay to officers and $45 2l9 SO for the
support Of the marine corps.
Therewill alsobe needed an appropriation of
$262,355 to defray the unsettled expenses of
the United States courts for the fiscal year
ending June 30th Inst, now due attorneys,
clerks, commissioners and marshals and for
rent of court rooms, the support of prisoners
and other deficiencies.
A part of the building of the Interior De-
partmcnt was destroyed by fire on the 24th of
last month. Some immediate repairs and
temporary structures have in consequence be-
come necessary, estimates for which will be
transmitted to Congress Immediately and an
appropriation Of the requisite funds is respect
fully recommended.
The Secretary of the Treasury will commu.
nicate to Congress, in connection with csti-
mates for the appropriations for support of
the army for the current fiscal year, estimates
branches of the public service as require i'm
mediate action and cannot without inconyen-
icnce be postponed until the regular session.
I take this opportunity to invite your atten-
tion to the propriety Of adopting at your pres
ent session the necessary legislation to enable
the people Of the United States to participate
in the advantages OF the international exhi-
bition of agriculture, industry and fine
arts, which is to be held at Paris in 1878 and
in which this government has been invited
blythe government Of France to take part. This
invitation was communicated to this govern
mcnt in May, 1876, by the Minister of France
at this capital and copy thereof submitted to
last session, but no action was taken on the
subject. The Department of State has re-.
ceived many letters from various parts of the
country expressing desire to participate in
the exhibition and numerous applications Of a
a similar nature have also been made at the
United States Legation at Paris. The Depart
ment of State has also received official advice
of the strong desire on the part Of the French
government that the United States should
participate in the enterprise, and space has
hitherto been andis stillreservcd in the exhi-
bition buildings for the use of exhibitors from
the Unitad States to the exclusion of
| other parties who have been applicants
! therefor. In order that our industries may
be properly represented in the exhibition. An
appropriation will be needed for the payment
Of salaries and expenses of commissions, for
the transportation of goods, and for other pur.
| poses in connection with the object in view
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 necessi.
! ty of immediate action is apparent To enable
the United States to cooperate in the interna-
in 1879, Congress then passed a Joint resolu.
ton making an appropriation Of 100000 and
! authorizing the President to appoint Ger