Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1877-10-25
NESSAGE or ia YES TO
CONGRESS.

-Felloao- Citizens and Senate and
House Of Representatives The
adjournment of last Congress with
out making appropriations for the
support of the army tor the present
fiscal year has rendered necessary
the suspension Of payments to the
officers aud mon of sums due them
for services rendered after the Both
day of June last. The army exists
by virtue of statutes, which Pre-
scribe its numbers, regulate its
organization and cmployment, and
which fix the pay of its officers and
men, and declare their right to
receive the same at stated periods.
These statutes, however, do not
authorize the payment of troops in
the absence of specific appropria
tions therefor. The Constitution
has wisely provided that no money
shall be drawn from the Treasury
but in consequence of appropria-
tions made by law, and it has also
been declared by statute that no
department OF the government shall
expand in any ono fiscal year a
sum in excess of the appropriations
made by Congress for that fiscal
year. We have, threfore, an army
in service authorized by law, and
is entitled to be paid, but no funds
are available for that purpose. 1t
may also be said as an additional in.
centive to prompt action by Con,
gress, that since the commencement
of the fiscal year the army, though
without pay, has been constantly
and actively employed in arduous
and dangerous service, in perform
ance of which both officers and men
have discharged their duty with
fidelity and courage, and without
complaint. These circumstances,
in my judgment, constitute an cx-
traordinary occasion, requiring that
Congress be convened in advance
of the time prescribed by law fer
your speedy meeting in regular
session. The importance of speedy
action upon this subject on the part
of Congress is so manifest that /
venture to suggest the propriety OF
making the necessary appropria-
tions for the support of the army
for the current year, as its present
maximum numerical strength OF
$4,000 men, leaving for future
consideration all questions relating
to an increase or decrease of the
number of enlisted men. In the
event of reduction of the army by
subsequent legislation during the
fiscal year, the excess of appropria.
ton would not be expended; and
in the event of its enlargement the
additional sum required for the
payment of 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 should
be further postponed until after
Congress shall have considered al
questions likely to arise in the effort
to fix the proper limit to the
strength of the army. The esti
mates of appropriations for the sup
port of the military establishment
for the fiscal year ending July Both
1878, were transmitted to Congress
} by the former Secretary OF the
Treasury at tho opening of its ses
sion in December last. Thcs.
estimates were modified by the
present Secretary SO as to conform
! to the present requirements, ane
are now renewed, amounting tt
SO, ,243, ,676,49S and having beer
transmitted to both Houses of Con
gress are submitted tor your con
sidcration. There is also required
by the Navy Department $1,000,
861.27. This sum is made up o
1 ,446, ,6s7.16. Due to the officer
and enlisted men for the last qnarie
of the last fiscal year $31, ,195, $50
due for the advances made by Fisca
Agent of the Government in Lon
: don tor the support OF Forelgn Ser
vice $50, 1000; dne to naval and hos
pital fund $15O.0OO; due for arreara
ges of pay to officers and 81, ,521 ,95;
for the support of the marine corps
/, There will also be needed an ap
; preparation of $685. ,522, to defra.
I unsettled expenses of the Unite,
States Court for the fiscal yea
e ending June Both, last, now duo t
! Attorneys, Clerks, Commissioner
). end Marshals, and for rent Of Cour
! Rooms, for support of prisoner
4 and other deficiencies. Part of th
;. ;. building of the Interior Department
: was destroyed by fire on the 24t
= of last month, and some immediat
Il repairs and temporary structure
If have in consequence become neces
n sary, estimates for which will +
It transmitted to Congress immediate
/. ly on.I a m a o,,,,ropr;a tioo ~ raou;o,