Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1877-10-19

Feliop Cihcens Of The Senate and House Of
ReprsSenfntIreS

Felio,o Citizens Of the Senate aud House Of
Representatives.
The adjournment of the last Congress
without making appropriations Tor the sup
port of the army for the present fiscal wear
has rendered necessary suspension 0lpay-
ments to the officers AMI men of the sums
due them for service rendered alter the 10th
day of June last. The army exists by virtue
of statutes which prescribe its plumbers,
regulate its organization and employment.
and which fix the pay OF Its officers and
men, and declare their right TO receive the
same ut stated periods. The statutes how
ever, do not authorize the payment OF the
troops in the absence of specific apprOprla-
tons therefor.
The Constitution has wisely provided that
mo money shall be drawn from the Treas
ury but in consequence OF appropriations
made by law" and it has also been declar-
ed by statute that "n0 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 author
ICED by law and entitled tn be paid but no
funds available for that purpose. IL may
also be said as an additional incentive TO
prompt action by Congress, that since the
commencement OF tie fiscal year, the
army, though without pay, has been con-
stsptly and actively employed IN arduous
and dangerous service, in the performance
of which both officers and men have dis
charged their duty with fidelity and cOur-
age and without complaint. These circum-
stances, in my judgment. constitute an ex-
traordinary. occasion, requiring that Con-
gress be convened in advance OF the time
prescribed by law for your meeting IN reg
| ular session. The importance OF speedy &C
ton upon this subject on the part OF Con
press is so manifest that | venture to sug-
gest the propriety of making the necessary
appropriations for the support OF the army
| for the current year at its present MAXIMUM
numerical strength Of twenty five thousand
men. leaving for future consideration all
questions relating TO an increase or Dc
crease OF the number OF enlisted men. In
the event of tho reduction of the army by
subsequent legislation during the fiscal
year, the excess of the appropriation could
not be expended. and in the event OF
its enlargement the additional sum
required for the payment OF the extra
force could DO produced in due time. Ii
would be uni ust 10 the troops now In ser
vice, and whose pay IL already largely IN
arrears, if payment to them should be iur-
ther postponeu uuth "i'ei S"HS'H
have considered all the questions likely TO
arise in the effort to fix the proper limit 10
the strength OF the army.
The estimates of appropriations Tor the
support of the military establishment for
the fiscal year ending June 30. 1878. were
transmitted to Congress by the former Sec
rotary of the Treasury at the opening oil Its
session in December last These estimates.
modified by the present Secretary 50 as to
conform to present requirements, are now
renewed, amounting to S32, 436. 76i. IS, aud
having been transmitted to both Houses OF
Congress, are submitted for your consi1-
Grafton.