Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1877-10-20
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 16.-The Pres
ident's message, which was trans
mitted to Congress to-day, is as fol-
lows:
FELLOW-CITZENS OF THE HOUSE
OF REPR ESENTATIVES: The adj
iOurnment of Congress without max
ing appropriations for the support of
the army for the present fiscal year
has rendered necessary the sUspen-
sion of payments to the officers and
men of the sums due them for ser
vices rendered after the 30th day of
June last. The army exists by Vir-
tue Of statutes, which prescribe its
numbers and regulate its organiza-
ton and employment, and which fix
the pay Of its officers and men, and
declare their right to receive the
same at statedperiOdS. The statutes,
however, do not authorize the pay
ment Of the troops in the absence of
specific appropriation 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 fiscal year any
sum in excess of the appropriation
made by Congress for that fiscal year.
We have therefore an army author
lied by law and entitled to be paid,
but no funds available for that pur-
pose. 1t may also be said, as an adj
ditiOnal incentive to prompt action
bv Congress, that since the COM
mencement of the fiscal year, the
army, though without pay, has been
constantly and actively employed in
arduOus and dangerous service, in
the performance Of which both of
ficers and men have discharged their
duty with fidelity and courage, and
without complaint. These circum-
stances in my judgment constitutes
an extraordinary occasion requiring
Congress to be convened III advance
Of the time prescribed by law for
your meeting in regular session.
The Importance Ofspeedy action up
on this subject, on the part of Con-
gress, is so manifest that | venture
to suggest the propriety of making
the necessary appropriation for the
support Of the army for the current
year atitS present maximum numer-
zeal strength Of p, 000 men, leaving
for future consideration all questions
relating to an increase or decrease of
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 apprO-
priatiOn could not be expended, and
and in the event of its enlargement,
the additional sum required for 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, if payment to them be fur
Their postponed until after Congress
shall have considered ali the ques-
tons likely to arise to fix the proper
limit to the strength of the army.
The estimates of appropriations for
the support of the military establish
ment for the fiscal year ending June
80, 1878, were Transmitted to Congress
by the former Secretary of the Treas
ury, ut the opening of the session in
December last. These estimates,
modified by the present Secretary,
so as to conform to the present
requirements, are now renewed,
amounting to So, 1885, 64 9S, and
having been transmitted to both
houses of Congress, are submitted for
your consideration.
THE NAVY DEPARTMENT.
There is required by the Navy De-
partment s., 0O3, S6l u. This sum is
made up of 81 No. 1873 16 due to of
ficers and enlisted men for the last |
quarter of the last fiscal year, $311,- (
953 80 due for for advances made by /
the Fiscal Agent of the Government |
in London for the support of the for
eign service, $4,000 due to the Ma
val Hospital fund, $l50,000 due for ]