The beneficiary named in this bill enlisted September 13, 1862, and was discharged May 24, 1865.

He filed his claim in the Pension Bureau December 5, 1882, alleging that in the winter of 1862, from being put on duty—­standing guard excessively—­he became afflicted with varicose veins.  His army record shows no disability of any kind, though he served more than two years after the date at which he alleges his injury was incurred.  His application was rejected on the ground that no record of his disability appeared and that the evidence of the same filed upon such application was insufficient.

The claim now made to Congress for relief is the same as that made to the Pension Bureau, with the allegation added that in May, 1865, his breast and shoulder were injured by a railroad accident while he was on detail duty.

If the latter-described injury really existed, it is exceeding strange that it found no place in his claim before the Pension Bureau, while the account given of the cause of his alleged varicose veins must surprise those who are at all familiar with the character of that difficulty and the routine of army service.  His continued performance of military duty after he incurred this infirmity, the fact that he made no claim for pension on that account until twenty years had passed, and the unsatisfactory evidence now produced to support his allegation tend to induce the suspicion that the decision of the Pension Bureau was entirely just and that this bill is not based upon substantial merits.

GROVER CLEVELAND.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, June 2, 1886.

To the Senate: 

Senate bill No. 789, entitled “An act granting a pension to John S.
Williams,” is herewith returned without approval.

This claimant enlisted in 1861.  He alleges that his shoulder was dislocated in 1862 while ferrying troops across a river.  The records of the War Department fail to furnish any information as to the alleged injury.  He served afterwards until 1865 and was discharged.  His claim for pension was rejected by the Pension Bureau in 1882, twenty years after the time he fixes as the date of his injury; and after such long delay he states as an excuse for the unsatisfactory nature of his proof that the doctors, surgeons, and officers who knew him are dead.

Considering that the injury complained of is merely a dislocation of the shoulder, and in view of the other facts developed in the case, I think the Pension Bureau arrived at a correct conclusion when this claim was rejected.

GROVER CLEVELAND.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, June 2, 1886.

To the Senate: 

I return without approval Senate bill No. 327, entitled “An act granting a pension to James E. O’Shea.”

From the report of the committee to whom this bill was referred I learn that the claimant enlisted in April, 1861, and was discharged in October, 1864.