Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1877-10-18
The Presidents MESSAGE.


support OF the army for the present fiscal
year. has rendered necessary a suspension
OF payments to the officers and men of the
sums due them for service rendered after
the 30th day OF June last.
The army exists by virtue of statutes
which prescribe its numbers, regulate its
organization and employment, and which
fix the pay of its officers and men. and de-
clare their right to receive the same at
stated periods. The statutes, however, do
hot 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 in consequence of appropri-
ations made by law. and it has also been
declared bNstatute that no Department of
the Government shall expend in any one
fiscal year any sum In excess of the APP
preparations made by Congress for that fis
cal year. We have, therefore, an army in
service authorized by law and entitled TO
be paid. but DO funds available for that
purpose.
II may also be said as an additional in-
eentive 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 ardu-
Gus and dangerous service. in the perform
auce OF which both officers and men have
discharged their duty with fidelity and
courage, and without complaint These
circumstances, in my judgment, constitute
an extraordinary occasion, requiring that
Congress be convened In advance OF the
time prescribed by Jaw for your meeting
in regular session.
The importance OF speedy acton upon
> il sfFaAt sgz, of IN
manifest. that venture to suggest the pro-
priety OF making the necessary sppropria-
tons for the support OF the army for the
present fiscal year at its present maximum
numerical strength Of twenty-five thous-
and men. leaving for future consideration
ali questions relating 10 increase or de-
crease ~ the number of enlisted men. In
the event OF 2 reduction OF the army by
subsequent legislation during the fiscal
year, the excess OF the appropriation could
not BE expended. and ia the event OF its
enlargement. the additional sum required
for the payne Mt of the extra force could
be provided in due time.
II would be unjust 10 the troops now In
service and whose pay is already largely
in arrears. IL payment to them should fur
Their be postponed until after Congress
shall have considered all questions likely
10 arse IN Tue tltDTi 10 Tx tue pTOklSE
TO the strength OF the army.
Estimates OF appropriations for the sup
port OF the military establishment for the
fiscal year ending June Both, 1873. were
transmitted to Congress by the former
Secretary OF the Treasury al the opening
OF its session in December last These es-
Inmates, modified by the present Secretary
so a. TO conform 10 present requirements,
are now renewed, amounting t. s32. 49,
764 IS, and having been transmitted 10 both
Houses of Congress ale submitted for your
consideration.
There Is also required BY the Navy De
pArtment So. 3S6.l27. This sum Is made
up of 81 40, 6Ss .l6 due to officers and en-
listed men for the last quarter OF the last
fiscal year, SSH 1853 so due for advances
made by the fiscal agent of the Govern
ment la London for the support OF the
foreign service: $50 900 due 10 the Naval
Hospital fund; $3.50. 600 due for arrearage
OF pay to officers. and s45 .2l9.5S for the
support of the Marine Corps.
There will also be needed an appropria-
ton of s262 30 to defray the unsettled
expenses of the United states Courts for
the fiscal gear ending June Both last, now
due 10 attorneys. clerks, commissioners
and marshals, and for rent of court rooms
the support OF prisoners and other deiicien.
cies.
a part OF the building of the Interior
Department was destroyed by fire on the
2+th Of last month. Some immediate re-
pairs and temporary structures have, in
consequence. become necessary. estimate.
for which will be transmitted TO Congress
Immediately, and an approprist of the
requisite funds Is respectfully recon.
mended.
The Secretary of the Treasury will com
T1unicate TO Congress in connection witt
the estimates for the appropriations for III,
support of the army for the current fisca
yesr, estimates for such other defciencie:
in the difieIcnt branches Of the public ser.
vice as require immediate action.
take this opportunity also TO invite
your attention TO the proprety OF adopting
at our present session the necessary leg
islation TO enable the people OF the United
States TO participate in the advantages o
the International Exhibition of Agricul
ture, Industry and the Fine Arts which i
TO be held at Paris in 1873, and In whicl
this Government has been invited by III
Government OF France TO take part. Thi
invitation was communicated to this Gov
eminent in May. 1876, by the Minister @
France at this Capitol, and copy thereo
was submitted TO the proper committees G
Congress ut its last session; but 10 actio
was taken upon the subiece.
The Department OF State has receive
many letters from various parts OF tn
country expressing desire TO psrticipat
10 the exhibition, and numerous applics
tions Of similar nature have also bee
made at the U. 5. Legation at Paris. Tb
Department of State has also received oil
fcial advice of a strong desire on the pa
OF the French Government that the Unite
States should participate in this enterprise
and space has hitherto been, and Is still
reserved in the exhibition buildings for US
OF the exhibitors from the United State
to the exclusion of other parties who hav
been applicants therefor.
In order thst our industries may be prof.
erly represented at the exhibition. an al
preparation will be needed for the paymeI
OF salaries ard expenses of Commission
ers. for transportation of goods. and fo
other purposes in connection with the oil
ject in view, and as May next is the tim
liked for the opening OF the Exhibition,
our citizens are 10 share the advantages c
the international competition for the trad
of other nations. the necessity of immed
sIe action is apparent.
To enable the United States to cooperai
In the International Exhibition which VI
held at Vienna 10 1873, Congress the
passed joint resolution making an apprt
priation OF $500 900, authorizing the Pres
dent 70 appoint a certain number of pra
teal artisans and scientific men, VIII
should attend the exhibition and repo
their observations TO him. Provision WI
also made for the appointment OF a run
Der of honorary commissioners.
have felt that prompt action by Cor
gress in accepting the invitation OF II
Government of France, is of such intere
TO the people of this country, and SO suit
bic to the cordial relations between q
governments of the two countries, that u
subject might properly be presented Il
attention at your present session.
The Government ofNorwsy and Swede
has addressed an official invitation to til
Government TO take part in an Information
al Prison Congress to be held at Stockhol
next year. The problem which the Co
gress proposes to study. how to dimini,
crime, is one In which all civilized nation
have an interest in common, and the Coz
gress of Stockholm seems likely to pro,
the most important convention ever he
for the study of this grave question.
Under authority of Congress approve
February 10th. 1873, commissioners wi