Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1877-10-24
The Presidents Message.

I lowing Is the full text Of the president 5
message, delivered to congress, this af-
+ ternOon.
4 FeLlow Citizens Of he Senate and HOUSE d
+ Of Representatives.:
4 The adjournment of the last congress
without making appropriations for the
support of the army for the present fiscal
year hasrendered necessary a suspension
Of payments of the officers and men OF
the sums due them for services rem
dered after the 3Oth day Of June last
The army exists hy virtue of statutes
which prescribe its numbers, regulates
It's organization and employment, and
which fix the pay Of its officers and
men and declare their right 10 receive
the same ut 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 i'll consequence of appro-
priations made by law, and
it has also b cen declared by statute that
no department Of the government shall
cxpcnd 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 III
centrve 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 ac-
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, cOnsti-
tute an extraordinary occasion, requlr-
ing congress to be convened in advance
of the time prescribed by law, for your
meeting III 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-
pricty 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
decrease of the number of enlisted
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 i'll 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 qucs-
/ tons likely to arise III the effort to fix u
proper limit to the strength of the army.
! The estimates of the appropriation for
the support of the military establish
mcnt for the fiscal year ending June 80,
/ 1873, were transmitted to congress by
the former secretary of the treasury ut
the opening of its session in Dece mber
last. These estimates, modified by the
present secretary SO as to conform to
present requirements, are now renewed,
amounting to S32 1876, 7649S, and hav-
ing been transmitted to both houses of
congress, it is submitted for your con
sidcratlOn.
There is also required 10y the navy
department 81 1908, SCI. %. This sum is
made up of S144,6SS. Is due to officers
and enlisted men for the last quarter of
the last fiscal year: SSH .953 80 due for
advances made by the fiscal agent of
the government in London for the sup
port of the foreign service;
$4,000 due the naval hospital, &c;
$780, 600 is due for arrcaragcs of pay to
officers, and S45, 2l9.5S for the support
of the marine corps,
There will also be needed an appro-
priation of 500, 535.2 - to dcfray 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
4 part of the building of the interior
department was destroyed 10y fire ON
the oath Of last month. Some imme-
diatc repairs and temporary structures
have in consequence become necessary,
the estimate for which will he trans
mittcd 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-
primions 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.