River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1877-10-25
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
Sent 20 the Extra session Of Congress.
WASHINGTON, ID. g., Oct IL.

Sent 90 the Extra Session Of Congress.
WASHINGTON, ID. G., Oct. IL.
Fellow Citizens of the Senate and House OF
Representatives.:
The adjournment of the last Congress witt
out making appropriations for the support OF
the army for the present fiscal year has rem
dered necessary a suspension of payments to
the officers and men of the sums due them for
services rendered after the 30th of June last.
The army exists by virtue of statutes which
prescribe its numbers, regulate its organiZa-
ton and employ ment, and which fix the pay
of ITS officers and men and declare their right
to receive the same at stated periods. The
statutes, however, do not authorize the
payment of the troops in the abb
sence Of specific appropriations therefor. The
constitution has wisely provided that no
money shall be drawn from the treasury but
IN consequence Of appropriations made by
law, and il has also been declared by statute
that no department of the government shall
cxpend in any one fiscal year any sum in eX-
cess of the appropriation made by Congress
for that fiscal yeaF We have, therefore, an
army in service, authorized by law and en-
titled to be paid, but no funds available for
that purpose. 1t may also be said as an
additional 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
arduous and dangerous IN the perform
ancc of which both officers and men have
discharged their duty with fidelity and cour-
age, and without complaint. These cireum-
stances, in my judgment, constitute an extra
ordinary occasion requiring that Congress
be convened in advance OF the time pre-
scribed by law for your meeting in regular
session.
The importance of speedy action on this
subject on the mart % Congress, is SO impOr-
tant that venture to suggest the propriety
of making the necessary appropriations for
the support of the army for the current year
at lite present maximum numerical
strength of25,000 iiien, leaving Tor future con-
sidcration all questions relating to an increase
or decrease in the number of enlisted men.
In the event of the 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 be pro-
vided in due time Ii would be unjust to the
troops now In service a9d whose pay is al
ready largely in arrears, If payment to them
should be further postponed until after Con
gress shall have considered all the questions
likely to arise in the effort to fix the proper
limit to the strength Of the army.
Estimates of appropriations for support OF
the military establishment for the fiscal year
ending June 30th, 1873 were transmitted TO
Congress by the former Secretary Of the
Treasury at the opening OF its session In De-
eember last These estimates. modiiiedby the
present Secretary so as To conform TO present
requirerlents,are now renewed, amounting to
So $40 764. gS and having been transmitted to
both Houses Of Congress, are submitted for
your consideration.
There is also required ny the Navy Depart
ment 81 0G3, SCI, %. This sum is made mp Of
S1446SS, I6 due 10 officers and enlisted men
for the last quarter Of the last fiscal year;
$31i ,953, 80 due for advances made BY the hs-
cal agent of the government in London for
the support Of the foreign service; $4,000 due
the naval hospital fund; $4,000 due for ar
rearages of pay to officers and S45, 2l95o for the
support OF the marine corps.
TheFewill alsobe needed an appropriation Of
Ss6o 81 - to defray the unsettled expenses Of
the United States courts for the fiscal year
ending June 30th last, now due attorneys,
clerks, commissioners and marshals and for
rent Of court rooms, the support OF prisoners
and other deficiencies
a part Of the building of the Interior De-
partment vas destroyed by fire on the oath OF
last month. Some immediate repairs and
temporary structures have in consequence be-
come necessary, estimates for which viii be
transmitted to Congress immediately and an
appropriation Of the requisite funds Is respect
fully recommended.
The Secretary of the Treasury viii commu-
nicate 10 Congress. in connection with esti-
mates FOR the appropriations for support of
the army for the current fiscal year, estimates
for :, Ell other deficiency in the different
branches Of the public service as require inn
mediate action and cannot without nconyen-
iehee be postponed until tSe regular session.
I take this opportunity to invite your atten-
ton tothe propriety Of adopting st yoliT pres
ent session the necessary legislation 70 enable
.aal 81 I'd