Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1877-10-24
The Presidents Message.

! u,
/ ternOon:
FelIow Citizens of the Senate and House Of
of Representatives.
The adjournment of the last congress
without making appropriations for the
support of the army for the present fiscal
wear hasrendered necessary suspension
of payments of the officers and men of
the sums due them for services rem
dered after the 30th day of June last
The army exists Ivy virtue of statutes
which prescribe its numbers, regulates
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. The stat
utes, however, do not authorize the
payment of the troops in the absence of
specific appropriations 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
it has also been declared by statute that
no department of the government shall
expend in any one fiscal year, any sum
in excess of appropriations made by
congress for that fiscal year. We have
therefore an army in service authorized
by law, and entitled to be paid, but no
funds available for that purpose. 1t
may also be said, as an additional in
centive to prompt the action of con-
greSS, that since the commencement of
the fiscal year, the army, though with
out pay, has been constantly and &C
lively employed in arduous and danger
Gus service, in the performance of
which both officers and men have dis
charged their duty with fidelity and
courage, and without complaint. These
circumstances, in my Judgment, constl-
tute an extraordinary occasion, requir-
ing congress to be convened in advance
of the time prescribed by law, for your
meeting in regular session. The I'M
portance of speedy action on this sub
ject on the part of congress, is so mani
fest that | venture to suggest the pro-
priety of making the necessary appro-
priations for the support of the army,
for the current year at its present maxi
mum numerical strength of $4,000
men, leaving for future consideration
all questions relating to an increase or
men. On the event Of the reduction Of
the army by subsequent legislation,
during the fiscal year, the ex
cess of the appropriations could
not be expended, 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
the service and whose pay is already
largely in arrears, if payment to them
should be further postponed until after
congress shall have considered all ques-
tons likely to arise in the effort to fix a
proper limit to the strength of the army.
The estimates Of the appropriation for
the support of the military establish
ment for the fiscal year ending June 80,
! 1873, were transmitted to congress by
the 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 requirem ents, are now renewed,
amounting to So, 1876, 7649S, and hav-
ing been transmitted to both houses of
congress- it is submitted for your con-
sideration
There is also required by the navy
department $2,QO3, SOL 90 This sum is
/
and enlisted men for the last quarter of
TIE last fiscal year; 1911, 1853. so due for
advances made by the fiscal agent of
the government in London for the sup
port of the foreign service;
10000 due the naval hospital, &C.;
$3.50, 900 is due for arrearages Of pay to
officers, and $45, 219 SO for the support
of the marine corps.
! There will also be needed an appro-
priation of $500, 535 % to defray the
unsettled expenses Of the United States
courts for the fiscal year ending June
3Oth last now due to attorneys, clerks,
commissioners and marshals, and for
rent Of court rooms, and support of
prisoners, and other deficiencies.
A part of the building of the interior
department was destroyed by fire on
the Oath of last month. Some imme-
date repairs and temporary structures
have in consequence become necessary,
the estimate for which will be trans
mitted to congress Immediately, and an
appropriation Of the requisite funds is
respectfully recommended.
The secretary of the treasury will
| communicate to congress in connec-
ton with the estimates for the appro-
priations for the support of the army
for the current fiscal year, estimates for
such other Deficiencies in the different
branches of public service as require
immediate action, and cannot, without
inconvenience, be postponed until the
regular session.
[ take this opportunity to invite your
attention to the propriety Of adopting
at your present session necessary legis-
lation to enable the people of the
United States to participate in the adj
vantages Of the international exhibi-
ton of agricultural industry and fine
arts which is to be held at Paris in
1873, and In which this gov
eminent has been invited by the
government Of France to take part.
This invitation was communicated to
the United States government, May Is,
by the minister of France at this capt.
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