Under the requirements of section 6 of the “act for the government of the District of Columbia, and for other purposes,” approved June 20, 1874, I have the honor to submit herewith the report of the board of audit upon the amount equitably chargeable to the street-railroad companies pursuant to the charters of said companies or the acts of Congress relating thereto, together with the reasons therefor.

U.S.  GRANT.

VETO MESSAGES.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, January 30, 1875.

To the House of Representatives: 

I have the honor to return herewith House bill No. 4462, entitled “An act for the relief of Alexander Burtch,” from which I withhold my approval for the reasons given in the accompanying letter of the Secretary of War.

U.S.  GRANT.

WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington City, January 28, 1875.

The PRESIDENT.

SIR:  I have the honor to return House bill No. 4462, “for the relief of
Alexander Burtch.”

It appears from the records of this office that Alexander Burtch, Company H, First Indiana Artillery, enlisted July 24, 1861, for three years, reenlisted as a veteran January 1, 1864, and deserted at Fort Gaines, Ala., September 25, 1865, and was a deserter at large at date of muster-out of his company, January 10, 1866.

This Department emphatically objects to this bill becoming a law upon the ground of its great injustice to every soldier who served honorably until his services were no longer required by the Government.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

WM. W. BELKNAP,

Secretary of War.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, February 12, 1875.

To the House of Representatives: 

I have the honor to return herewith House bill No. 2352, entitled “An act granting a pension to Lewis Hinely,” from which I withhold my approval for the reasons given in the accompanying letter of the Secretary of the Interior.

U.S.  GRANT.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, Washington, February 11, 1875.

The PRESIDENT.

SIR:  I have the honor to return herewith House bill No. 2352, “granting a pension to Lewis Hinely.”

I am informed by the Commissioner of Pensions that the act does not designate the person for whose benefit it was passed.  His true name, as verified by his own signature to papers on file in the Pension Office, is Louis Heinlig, and as there were several soldiers in the company and regiment named in the act whose names are similar to that specified therein, a correction appears to be necessary in order that the beneficiary of the act may be properly identified should the bill become a law.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

C. DELANO, Secretary.

WASHINGTON, March 3, 1875.