The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1877-10-24
The Prerident's Message.
To BE CONTINUED

WAsHISGroS, October l6.-The Presi>
dents message. which was transmitted to
Congress to>dsy, is rs follows:
FNLow- CITIZENS OF TIE SEEATs AND
HoUsE OF REPRESENTATIVES,: The adj
journment of Congress without making
appropriations for the support Of the
army for the present fiscal year has ren>
dered necessary the suspension of pay
ments to theofficers and men OF the sums
due them for services rendered after the
30th day of June last The army exists
by virtue OF statutes, which prescribes its
numbers and regulates its organic alton
and employment, and which fix the pay
OF its officers and men, and declare their
right 10 receive the same at stated peril
DDS. The statutes, however, do not au-
thorize the payment Of troops in the abs
sence Of specific appropriation therefor.
The Constitution has wisely provided that
no money shall be drawn from the treas
ury but in consequence appropriations
made by law, and it has also been de.
clared by statute that no department of
the Government shall expend in any one
fiscal year any sum in excess Of the ap>
preparation made by Congress for that
fiscal year We have therefore an army
authorized by law aud entitled TO be
paid, but no funds available for that pur-
pose. 1t may also be said. as an add.
tional incentive to prompt action by
Congress, that since the commencement
of the fiscal year. the army. though
without pay, has been constantly and
actively employed in srduous and dan-
gerous 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 constitute
an extraordinary occasion requiring Con-
gress to be convened in advance OF the
time prescribed by law for your meeting
in regular session. The importance OF
speedy action upon this subject, on the
part OF Congress, ia go manifest that !
venture to suggest the propriety of MAXI
ing the necessary Appropriation for the
support Of the army for the current year
at it's present maximum numerical
strength of25 900 men, leaving for future
consideration all questions relating to an
increase or decrease Of the number Of en-
listed men. In the event Of the reduce
ton OF the army by subsequent legisla>
ton 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 be provided in
due time 1t would be unjust 10 the
troops now in service, and whose pay is
already largely in arrears, il payment to
them be further postponed until after
Congress shall have considered all the
questions likely to arise TO FIX the proper
limit to the strength Of the army. The
estimates OF appropriations for the sup
port of the military establishment for the
fiscal year ending June 80, 1873, were
transmitted to Congress by the former
Secretary of the Treasury. at the opening
OF the session in December last. These
estimates modified by the present Score,
tary, 80 as to conform to the present re-
quirements are now renewed, amounting
to $32, 436, 764 9S, and having been trans
mitted to both houses of Congress. are
submitted for your consideration.
TIE NAVY DEPARTMENT.
There is also required by the Navy
Department s2,OO3, 26l 81. This sum is
made up of 81. IA, 1856 l6 due to officers
and enlisted men for the last quarter Of
the last fiscal year, $3ll, 1858 so due for
advances made by the Fiscal Agent o.
the Government in London for the sup
port OF hesforeign service, $50, 900 due
TO the Naval Hospital fund, $3.50, 900 due