U.S.  GRANT.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, April 15, 1872.

To the Senate of the United States:

I return without my approval an act entitled “An act granting a pension to Abigail Ryan, widow of Thomas A. Ryan.”  The name of Mrs. Ryan is now borne upon the pension rolls, pursuant to an act of Congress entitled “An act for the relief of Mrs. Abigail Ryan,” approved June 15, 1866 (14 U.S.  Statutes at Large, p. 590).

U.S.  GRANT.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, April 22, 1872.

To the House of Representatives:

I return herewith House resolution No. 622, entitled “An act granting a pension to Richard B. Crawford,” without my approval, for the reason that said Crawford is now drawing a pension as a private soldier, the wound on account of which he was pensioned having been received before his promotion to a lieutenancy.

U.S.  GRANT.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, May 14, 1872.

To the Senate of the United States:

I have the honor to return herewith the bill (S. 955) entitled “An act granting a pension to Mary Ann Montgomery, widow of William W. Montgomery, late captain in Texas Volunteers,” without my approval, inasmuch as the concluding phrase, “and in respect to her minor children under 16 years of age,” has obviously no meaning whatsoever.  If it were the intention of the framer of the bill that the pension thereby granted should revert to said minor children upon the remarriage or death of the widow, the phrase referred to should read as follows:  “And in the event of her remarriage or death, to her minor children under 16 years of age.”  I therefore return the bill for proper action.

U.S.  GRANT.

WASHINGTON, June 1, 1872.

To the Senate of the United States:

I have examined the bill entitled “An act for the relief of J. Milton
Best,” and, being unable to give it my approval, return the same to the
Senate, the House in which it originated, without my signature.

The bill appropriates the sum of $25,000 to compensate Dr. J. Milton Best for the destruction of his dwelling house and its contents by order of the commanding officer of the United States military forces at Paducah, Ky., on the 26th day of March, 1864.  It appears that this house was one of a considerable number destroyed for the purpose of giving open range to the guns of a United States fort.  On the day preceding the destruction the houses had been used as a cover for rebel troops attacking the fort, and, apprehending a renewal of the attack, the commanding officer caused the destruction of the houses.  This, then, is a claim for compensation on account of the ravages of war.  It can not be denied that the payment of this claim would invite the presentation of demands for very large sums of money; and such is the supposed magnitude of the claims that may be made against the Government for necessary and unavoidable destruction of property by the Army that I deem it proper to return this bill for reconsideration.