The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1877-10-26
VOL. IX.-NEw SERIES.
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

atlons tor the support of the army for the
present fiscal year, has caused the necessary
suspension OF payment to officers and men
OF sums due them for services rendered after
the Both day of juno last The army ex-
lists by'virtue Of statutes which prescribe its
members, regulate its organization and em-
;ployment, and which fix the pay of its Off
GERS and men and declare their right to re-
ceiye the same ut stated times. These
statutes, however, do not authorize the pay
.ment. OF troops in the absence, ,ef specific
Sl5 tlSal 81 y tbsj 3 ls g 4s!ss sAs rs =;
be drawn from the Treasury only in conse-
quence of appropriations 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 the appropriations made by Con-
gress for that fiscal year" We have, there
fore, an army in service authorized by law,
and entitled to be paid, but no funds avail
able for that purpose. 1t may also be said,
as an additional incentive to prompt action
by Congress, that sincc the commencement
OF the fiscal year, the army though without
pay, has been constantly and actively en-
ployed in arduous and dangerous service,
, for the performance which both officers and
men have discharged their duty with fdel-
ity and courage and without complaint
These circumstances, in my judgment, con-
stitute an extraordinary occasion; requiring
that Congress be convened in advance Of
the time prescribed by law for your meeting
in regular session. The Importance of a
speedy action upon this subject on the part
of Congress is so manifest that venture to
suggest the propriety of making the neces-
sary appropriation for the support of the
army for the current year, at 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 subsc-
quent legislation during the fiscal year, the
excess of the appropriation could not be
expended, and in tho event of its enlarge
ment the additional sum required for the
payment of the extra force could be proyi.
troops now in service, and whose pay is
already largely in arrears, if payment to
them should be further postponed till after
Congress shall have considered all questions
likely to arise in the effort to fix the proper
limit to the strength of the army. Esti-
mates of the appropriation for the support
of the military establishment for the fiscal
year ending june 30th, 1878, were trans
mitted to Congress, by the former Secre-
tary of the Treasury, at the opening of
its session in December last. These esti-
mates were modified by the present Secre-
tary so as to conform to the present. The
requirements are now renewed, amounting
i, to $32 ,436, 1853 SO; and having been trans
.mittsd to both Houses, of Congress, are
submitted for your ,considefations There
! is also f 1fred rby the Navy Department,
$2,O03SS8i 81. This sum is made up of
81, ,445, ,688 Is due to officers and enlisted
men for the last quarter Of the last fiscal
year, S311 1853 SO, due for advances made
by the Fiscal Agent of the Government in
London, for the support Of the foreign SER
vice, $4,000, due to tho Naval Hospital
fund, $15O,O0O due for arrearages Of pay
to officers, and $45,219 SO for support of
Marine Corps. There will also be needed
an appropriation Of $262,535 %, to defray
the unsettled expenses of the United States
Courts for the fiscal year ending June Both
last, now due to attorneys, clerks, commits
sioners and marshals, and for rent of court
rooms, support of prisoners and other def
ciencies.
A part of the building of the Interior
! Departments was destroyed by fire on The
24th Of last month. Some immediate re-
pairs and a temporary sssnstasaSk kasein con.
sequence become necessary, estimates for
which will be transmitted to Congress i'm.
mediately, and the appropriation Of the re.
quisite funds 10 respectfully recommended
& The Secretary of the Treasury will com.
municate to Congress in connection with
estimates for appropriation for the support
Of the army for current fiscal year estimates
for such other deficiency in the different
branches Of the public service as require
immediate action, and cannot without incon.
venience be postponed until the regular ses.
.sioa.>
" I take ts;a opportunity also to invite
your attention To- Ehe propriety Of adopting
at your present 81 3sion, necessary Legislation
ITO enable the IpSle of the United States
ITO participate il. advantages Of the In
ternational Ex,,ss sn of Agriculture, In.
,dustry and Fine hrys, which is to be held