The crisis. (Chillicothe, Livingston Co., Mo.) 1877-1878, 1877-10-25
VOL. |.
THE NEWS.



without making any Appropriations for the
present fiscal year has rendered necessary
the suspension OF payments to the officers
and men Of the army of the sums due them
for services rendered after the thirtieth day
Of June last, The army exists by virtue OF
statutes which prescribe its numbers. regu-
late its organization and employment, Unl
which fix the pay of its officers and men,
ond declare their right to receive the same
at stated periods. The statutes. however.
do not authorize the payment of the troops
In the absence Of specific appropriation
therefor. The constitution has wisely pro-
yided that the money shall be drawn from
the treasury but In consequence OF appro-
priations made by law and it has also been
declared by statute that no department of
the government shall eXpcnd in any one iis-
cal year any sum in excess Of the appro-
priation made by congress for that fiscal
year
AN UNPAID ARMY.
We have, therefore, an army in service
authorized by law and entitled to be paid,
but no funds are 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 con-
stantly and actively employed in arduous
and dangerous service, in the performance
of which both officers and men bave dis
charged their duties with fidelity and cou-
rage. and without complaint, These cir
cumstances, in my opinion, constitute an
extraordinary occHsion. requiring congress
10 be convened in advance Of the time pre-
scribed by law for your meeting in regular
session. The Importance Of
SPEEDY ACTION
T. "A. IL.
is so manifest that / venture to suggest the
propricty of making the necessary appro-
priations for the support of the army for
the current year at It's present maximum
numerical strength Of 25,OOO mon, leaving
for future consideration all questions ralat-
ing to the increase or decrease OF the num-
Der of enlisted men. In the event Of the
reduction Of the army by subsequent legis-
lation during the fiscal year, the excess of
appropri alton could not be expended. and
in the event of its enlargement the addition
al sum required for the payment Of the
extra force could be provided in due time.
1t would be unjust to the troops new in
service. and whose pay is already largely
in arrears of payment to them. that II
should be further postponed until after
congress shall have considered all the
questions likely TO arise In the efforts to fix
the proper limit to the strength Of the army.
Estimates Of the appropriation for the sup
port Of the military establishment for the
fiscal year ending June 20, 1873, wcrc trans
mittcd to congress by the former secretary
OF the treasury, at the opening of Its ses-
sion in December last. These estimates,
modified by the present secretary 50 as to
conform to the
PRESENT REQUIREMENTS.
are now renewed, amounting to S32. .496, ,764.-
81, and having been transmitted to both
houses of congress. arc submitted for your
consideration. There is also
REQUIRED by THE NAVY
department 81, ,OO3, ,3Gl 81. This sumis made
up of 81 .4iG SSS 10 duo to officers and enlist
cd men for the last quarter Of the last fiscal
year. S3ll .9d.50 due for advances made by
the financial agent of the government in
London for the support OF the foreign ser
vice. so 900 due to the naval hospital fund,
$50 900 and S45, 5S for the support of the
marine corps. There will also be needed
IN appropriation OF S262, 20 to defray the
unsettled
EXPENSES OF THE u. s. COURTS
for the fiscal year ending June 3Oth last.
now due to attorneys, clerks, commission
crs and marshals. and for rent OF the court
rooms. tho support Of prisoners and other
deficiencies. part OF the
BUILDING or THE INTERIOR DEPARTMENT
was DESTROYED by fire on the oath of last
month. Some manifest and temporary
structures have in consequence become un-
necessary. Estimates for which will be
transmitted to congress Immediately, and
an appropriation of the requisite funds Is
respectfully recommended. The secretary
Of the treasury will communicate to con-
grcss in connection with the estimates for
the appropriations for tho support Of the
army for the current fiscal year, estimates
for such other deficiencies in the different
branches Of the public service as require
immediate action. and cannot without in
convenience be postponed until the regular
session,
THE FRENCH EXHIBITION.
take this opportunity TO Invite your at
tention TO the proprety of adoption at your
present session, the necessary legislation
to enable the people of the United States to
participate in the advantages of the inter-
national exhibition Of tho agricultural in
dustry, aud the fine arts, which is to be
held at Paris in 1873. and in which this gov
crnmont has been invited by tho govern
mcnt of France to take part. This invita-
ton was communicated to the government
In May. 1876. by the minister Of France at
this capitol. and copy thereof was sub
mittcd to the proper committee OF congress
ut its last session, but no action was taken
upon the subject. The department Of State
has received many letters from various
parts of the country, expressing n desire to
participate In the exhibition, and numerous
applications Of IL similar nature have also
been made al the United States legation at
Paris. Tho department of State has also
received official advices Of the strong desire
on the part of tho French government, that
the United States should participate In the
enterprise and space has hitherto been,
and is still reserved. in the exhibition build
ings for the use of exhibitions from the Unit
ed States to the exclusion Of other parties
who have been applicants therefor.
AN APPROPRIATION ASKED FoR,
III order that our industries may be prop
erly represented ut the exhibition an ap-
preparation will be needed for the payment
Of salaries and expenses of commissioners,
for the transportation Of goods, and for
other purposes in connection with the OBJ
ect in view, rs May next is the timo fixed
for tho opening of the exhibition; and flour
citizens are to share the advantages OF this
international competition for the trade OF
other nations, the necessity of immediate
action is apparent, to enable tho United
States to cooperate. In the international
exhibition which was held Mt Vienna in 1873,
| congress then passed Joint resolution
making an appropriation of two hundred
thousand dollars and authorizing the
president TO appoint a certain number
OF practical artisans and scientific men who
should attend the exhibition and report
their proceedings Of observations to him.
Provision was also made for the appoint
ment of a number of honorary commission
ers. have THAT proper action bycongress
| in accepting the invitation Of the govern
ment of France il of 30 much interest TO the
people Of this country, and 30 suitable to
| the cordial relations between the govern
ment OF the two countries, that the sugges-
| ton might properly be presented for atten-
ton at your present session, The govern
ment Of Sweden and Norway has addressed
an official invitation to this government to
take part in tho
INTERNATIONAL PRISON CONGRESS,
to be held at Stockholm next year. The
problem which the congress proposes to
study-how to diminish crime-is one in
which all civilized nation have an interest
in common. and the congress OF Stockholm
seems likely to prove the most important
convention ever held for the study Of this
| great question, Under the authority of q