The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1877-10-25
Presidents Message.
WASHINGTON, Oct. Is.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 16.
FellOac Citizens If the Senate ana
House Of Representatives
The adjournment of the last Con
gress without making appropriations
for the support of the army for the
present fiscal year has rendered nec-
essary suspension of payments to the
officers and men to the sums due TO
them for services rendered after the
thirtieth day of June last. The army
exists by virtue of the statutes which
prescribe its number, regulate its Or
ganization 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
appropriations made by law; ''and it
has also been declared by the statute
that no department of the government
shall expend in any one fiscal year any
sum In excess of the appropriation
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 are available for
that purpose. 1t may also be said as
an additional incentive to the prompt
action by Congress, that since the COM
mencement of the fiscal year, the ar
my, though without pay, has been
constantly aud actively engaged in ar.
duous and dangerous service, in the
performance of which both officers
and men have discharged their duty
with fidelity and courage and without
complaint. These circumstances, In
my judgment, constitute an extraordi-
nary occasion for Congress to be con-
vened in advance of the time pre-
scribed by law for your meeting in
regular session. The importance of
speedy action upon this subject on the
part Of Congress is so manifest that l
venture to suggest the propriety of
making the necessary appropriations
for the support of the army for the
current year at its present maximum
numerical strength of 25.OOO men,
lcaying for future consideration all
questions relating to an increase or de-
crease 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 ap-
preparation 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 service,
and whose pay is already largely in
arrears should it be postponed until
after Congress shall have considered
all the questions likely to arise In the
effort to fix the proper limit to the
strength OF the army estimate of ap-
propriations for the support of the
military establishments for the fiscal
year ending June 30, 1878. were trans
mitted to Congress by the former Sec
retary of the Treasury. At the open
ing of its session in December last
these estimates were modified by the
present Secretary so as to conform to |
the present requirements are now re-
newed, amounting to So, ,436, 764 SO,
and having been transmitted to both |
houses of Congress are submitted for
your consideration. There is also re-
quired by the Navy Department $780,
3S6, ,l27. This sum is made up of $l44,-
6S8, 1916, due to officers and enlisted
men for the last quarter of the last fis-
cal year, $3l, ,175. $50 due for advances
made by the fiscal agent of the govern
ment in London for the support of the
foreign service, $4,000 due to the Ma
tional Hospital fund, sl50,OOO due for
of pay to officers, and $780,
2l9.5S for the support of the Marine
Corps. There will also be needed an
of $262. 1892 to defray
The unsettled expenses of UHited States
Courts for the fiscal year ending June
10Th last, now due to attorneys, clerks,
and marshals, and for
rent of courtroom, the support of
prisoners and other deficiencies.
A part of the building of the Interi-
,r Department was destroyed by fire
IN the oath of last month, and some
Immediate repairs and temporary
structures have in consequence become
necessary. estimates for which will be
to Congress Immediately,
md an appropriation of the requisite
unds is respectfully recommended.
The Secretary of the Treasury will
to Congress, in conuec-
ion with the estimates for the appro-
,riations for the support of the army
or the current year, estimates tor
uch other deficiencies in the different
of the public service as re-
luire immediate action, and cannot,
Without Inconvenience, be postponed ,
lntil the regular session.
l take this opportunity to invite 8
our attention to the prOpriety of .
at your present session, the s
necessary legislation to enable the /
,eople of the United States to partici-
,ate in the advantages of the Interna- I
ional Exhibition of the agriculture. 6
Industry, and fine arts, which is to be {
leld at Paris in 1878, and in which this 9
government has been invited by the G
of France to take part
'his invitation was communicated to I
h ;a nsouAnn.nonk In Man lQ7G hu thu !.