Feliciana sentinel. [volume] (St. Francisville, La.) 1877-1892, 1877-10-20
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
WASHINGTON, Oct. I6. 1877.
Fellow-citizens Of tho Senate and
House &c REPRESENTATIVES.

Fetlow-citizens Of the Senate and
House of Representatives
81 The adjournment of ne last Coneres,
without making appropriations for the
support OF the army for the present fiscal
year, has rendered necessary n suspen-
slon OF payments to tho officers aud men
OF the sums due them for services rend-
cred after the 3Oth of June last.
l. The army exists by virtue Of statutes
which prescribe it's numbers, regulate its
organization and employment, and which
Fix the pay of it's officers and men, and de-
clare their right to receive tho same at
stated periods, These statutes, however,
DO not authorize the payment of troops
IN the absence of specific appropriations;
therefore the Constitution has wisely pro,
vided that "no money shall be drawn
from the Treasury but in consequence of
appropriations made by laws" and it has
also been declared by statute that "no
department of the Government shall ex-
pend IN any one fiscal year, sum in ex-
gress for that fiscal year." We have,
therefore, an army in service, authorized
by law, and entitled to he paid, but no
FUNDS available for that purpose 1t may
also be said, as an additional incentive
to prompt action, by Congress-, chat since
tne commencement OF. the fiscal year, the
army, though without pay, has been con-
stantly and actively employed in arduous
ana dangerous services, in the perform
| ance of which both officers and men have
discharged their duty with fidelity and
courage, and without complaint. These
circumstances, in my Judgment, consti-
tute an extraordinary occasion, recurring
that Congress he convened in advance Of
the time prescribed by law for your meet
ing in regular session. The Importance
OF speedy action upon this subject on the
part of Congress is so manifest that I
venture tp suggest tho propriety Of MAX
ing the necessary appropriations for tho
at It's present maximum numerical stength
OF 25,OOO mon, leaving for the future the
consideration of all questions relati We to
an increase or decrease of tho number of
enlisted men. In the event of q reduc-
ton of the army by subsequent legisla-
tion durlug the fiscal year, the excess of
the appropriation could not be expended.
and in the event of its enlargement, the
addltlonal sum required for the payment
OF the extra force could he provided in
due time 1t would be unjust to the
troops now in service, and v hose paw is
already largely in arrears, if payment to |
them should he further postponed until |
the questions likely to arise in the effort !
to Fix the proper limit to the strength of |
the army.
Estimates of appropriations for the |
support OF the military establishment for
the fiscal year ending June 80, 1873, were
. tied to Congress by the former
Secretary of the Treasury ut the opening
OF its session in December last. These
estimates, modified by the present Secre-
tary SO as to conform to present require
menus. are now removed, amounting to
S32 az, 756 So, and having been trans
mittei to both Houses Of Congress- are
submitted for yOul consideration
II s.nsl |
partmcnt $2,O03,S 61. 81: This sum is
made tp Of 81 ,446,68S l6 due to the Off
GERS aud enlisted men for tbs last quarter
Ut the last fiscal yo:i-: $sl1.9 so due
tor advances made by the Fiscal Agent of
she government, in London, for thesnp-
"rt OF the foreign service. Ss,OlOU due
% the naval hospital fund. $l5U,OO0 due
or nrrearages of pay to officers, and $45,-
'l9 90 for the support Of the marine I
orps.
There will also he needed an appro-
'riation Of $685. % to dcfr,y tho I'M re
ettled expenses Of the United States c
onrts for the fiscal year ending June 30
asst, now due to attorneys, clerks,
commissioners and ma1shals, and for rent
+ court rooms, the support of prisoners [
nd other DEFICIENCIES.
A part of the building of the Interior
apartment was destroyed by fire on the a
1th of last month. Some Immediate !,
I n
'nsequence become necessary, estimates .
II Which Will be transmitted to Con- Ii
ress immediately, and an approximation I.
the requisite funds is respectfully re- G.
~
The Secretary Of lhe Treasury will q
it'll the estimates for the appropriations !.
L the suppnrt of the army for the cur &C
Mt fiscal year, estimates for such other
hclencles IN the different branches of o.
Q. public service as require Immediate al
ton, and cannot without inconven- ~
ice he postponed until the regular ses- III
[ take this opportunity, also, to invite 70
ur attention to tho propriety of adopt ~
9 at your present session necessary le- Ut
Station to enable the people Of the &C
llted States to participate in the ad- to
ntages OF the International Exhibition w
Agriculture, Industry and Fine Arts
Itch Is to be held at Paris in 1873, and ST.
which the Government has been in ne
ed by the Government OF Franco to
&c part. This invitation was commun- Or
ted to this Government i'll May, 1876, in,
the Minister of France at this Capt. in
and copy thereof was submitted to
proper committee of Congress at it's 81!
session, but no action was taken sal
IN the subject. The Department. of mo-
tie has received many letters from va ~:
IS parts of the country expressing a AL
ire to participate in the exhibition, lOL
numerous applications of 1, similar hi
ure have also been made at the United 49,
tes Legation, Paris. The Department "n
State has ALSO received official advice j
a strong desire on the part of the ma,
nch Government that the United
'es should participate in this enter nul
g. and space has hitherto been, and any
is reserved in the exhibition build fro
for the use of exhibitors from the IT,.
ted States to the exclusion of other nui