The Lamoille news. (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1877-1881, 1877-10-24
The PresIdent,s Message.
Fsllo,s ciaisAs Of ne Senate and RO~s, of
Rsprssenidhpesi

AANcAaNAN y @AsN--tNN
F.Hoe cia.sas Of DE Sss,ais and R0~S, of
Reprsssnidhrssi
rhe Adjournment q he last Congress with
ont making appropriations for the support
Of the army for ths present fiscal year has
rendered necessary q suspension Of payments
10 the officers and men Of the sums due them
for services rendered after the sOth day of
June last. The army exists by virtue OF statutes
which prescribe rs numbers and regulate its
organisation and employment, and which %
tie paw OF rs officers and man and declste
their right 10 receive the same al stated periods
The statutes, however, do not authorize the
payment Of the troops in the absence OF specihc
sppropriations therefor. The Constitution has
wisely provided that "no money shall be drawn
from the treasury but in consequence Of appro-
priations made by law" and 1t has also been
declared by statute that " no department OF the
government shall eNpend In any one fiscal year
any sum in excess OF appropriations made
by Congfess Tor that fiscal year. We have
Therefore, an army in service, authorized hy
law and entitled to be paid, but no funds
available for that purpose. II may also be
said. as an additional incertiye 10 prompt
action BY Congress, that since the commence
rasnt OF the fiscal year the army, though with
out paw, has been constantly and actively en-
ployed in arduous and dangerous service, in
the performance OF which both officers aud
men have discharged their duty with ndehty
and courage, and without complaint
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 re-
gular session. The Importance Of speedy ac-
ton upon this subject on the part OF Congress
is SO manifest that I venture to suggest the
propriety OK making the necessary appropria-
tons for the support of the army for the cur.
rent year at its present maximum numerical
strength OF % 600 men. leaving for future con-
slderation all questions relating to an increase
or decrease of the number Of enlisted men.
In the event of the reduction Of the army by
subseuuent legislation during the fiscal year.
the excess Of the appropriation could not 30
expended, and in the event Of its enlargement
the additional sum required for the payment OF
the extra force could be provided IN due Tune
II would be unjust to the troops now in service,
and whose pay is already largely in arrears, II
payment to them should be further postponed
until after Congress shall have considered all
the questions likely TO arise in the effort to fl
the proper limit to the strength Of the army.
Estimates OF appropriations for the support
of the military establishment for the fiscal
year ending June 80, 1873, mere transmitted to
Congress by the former secretary OF the treas
ury at the opening of the session in December
last. These estimates modified by the present
Secretary 30 as to conform to present require
ments are now renewed, amounting to S32,-
4G6, 764 50, and having been transmitted to
both houses OF Congress- are submitted for
your consideration.
THERE'S also, required by the navy depart.
ment 40 OO3 sci. 81 This stim is made up OF
81, 446. $685. 10 due officers and enlisted men for
the last quarter OF the fiscal year; 1911 1880
due for advances made. by the fiscal agent OF
the government in London for the support OF
the foreign service $4,000 due the naval
hospital fund $3.50. 00) due for arrearages OF
pay to officers, and $45. So for the support
of the marine corps. There will also be needed
an appropriation Of $262. 535.22 to defray the
unsettled expenses of the United States courts
for the fiscal year ending June 80, last, now
due to attorneys, clerks, commissioners, and
marshals, and for rent Of court-footns. the
support Of prisoners. and other deficiencies.
A part of the building OF the interior depart
ment was destroyed by fire on the Oath OF last
month. Some immediate repairs and temporary
structures have in consequence become neces-
sary, estimates for which will be transmitted to
Congress Immediately, and an appropriation OF
the requisite funds is respectfully recon-
mendcd
The secretary Of the treasury will communl-
cate to Congress in connection with the esti-
mates for the appropriation for the support OF
the army for the current fiscal year, estimates
for such other deficiencies in the different
branches of the public service as require lmms-
date action, aud cannot without Inconvenience
be postponed until the regular session.
take this opportunity, also, to invite your
attention to the propriety Of adopting at your
present session the necessary legislation to en-
able the people OF the United States to partici--
pate in the advantages Of the international
exhibition of agriculture, industry, and the
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 to this gov
eminent in May. 1876, by the minister Of France
at this capital and a copy thereof was sub
mitted to the proper committees of Congress at
its last session, but no action was taken on the
subject. The department of state has received
many letters from various parts Of the country,
expressing desire to participate in the ex-
hibition, and numerous applications OF q SINH
lar nature have also been made at the United
States legation at Paris. The department OF
state has also received official advice of the
strong desire on the part of the French gov
eminent that the United States should par
| ticipate in this enterprise, and space has
| hitherto been, and still is, reserved in the
exhibition buildings, for the use of exhibitors
from the United States, to the exclusion OF
other parties who have been applicants there
for.
In order that our industries may be properly
|
will be needed for the payment of salaries anc
expenses of commissioners, for the Transports
ton of goods, and for other purposes in con
nection with the object in view; and, as Ma,
| next is the time fixed for the opening OF thu
exhibition, if our citizens are to share the ad
vantages of this international competition TO
the trade of other nations, the necessity o
immediate action ID apparent. To enable tn
United States to cooperate in the internationa
| VIII ha1l Of n 1ST,
Congress then passed joint resolution maxim
an appropriation of 5000, 900, and authorizin
the President to appoint certain number G
practical artisans and scientific men, who shoul
attend the exhibition and report their proceed
ings and observations to him. Provision wa
} also made for the appointment of number {
honorary commissioners. 1 have felt thu
prompt action by Congress in accepting the II
| vitation of the government of France is OF
much interest to the people of this countr
, and so suitable to the cordial relations betwet
the governments Of the two countries, tn
D the subject might properly be presented +
:, attention at your present session.
The government of Sweden and Norway b
d addressed an official invitation to this govern
q ment to take part in the International Prise
Congress to be held at Stockholm next yea
: The problem which the congress proposes
Is study-how to diminish crime-is one in viii
I, all civilized nations have an interest in COZ
IL mon, and the congress of Stockholm seel
|, likely to prove the most important convent
!. ever he'd for the study of this grave quostio
Under authority of joint resolution of Cc
Ie gress, approved Feb. 16, 1875, a commission
t was appointed by my predecessor to represt
i the United States upon that occasion, and
10 prison congress having been, at the earn
4 desire Of the Swedish Cover nment, postpoI
- to 1878, his commission was renewed by T.
io An appropriation of $4,000 was made in
ut Sundry civil appropriations act of 1878
Tf meet the expenses Of tES commissioners
= recommend the reappropriation Of that 8
lg for the same purpose, the former appropriat
ct having been covered into the treasury, and
80 ing no longer available for the purpose wi
ss out further action by Congress- The subj
III is, brought to your attention at this tim,
,, view Of circumstances which render it hig
: desirable that the commissioner should !