The claim of the widow was rejected by the Pension Bureau on the ground that the cause of the death of her husband was in no way connected with his military service.

His wife and family present pitiable objects for sympathy, but I am unable to see how they have any claim to a pension.

GROVER CLEVELAND.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, June 23, 1886.

To the House of Representatives: 

I hereby return without approval House bill 576, entitled “An act for the relief of Louisa C. Beezeley.”

By this bill it is proposed to grant a pension to the beneficiary named, as the widow of Nathaniel Beezeley, who was enrolled in an Indiana regiment as a farrier in September, 1861.  He was discharged July 17, 1862, after having been in the hospital considerable of the short time he was connected with the Army.  The surgeon’s certificate on his discharge stated that it was granted by reason of “old age,” he then being 60 years old.

He never made any claim for pension, but in 1877 his widow filed her declaration, stating that her husband died in 1875 from disease contracted in the service.

I am convinced that the Pension Bureau acted upon entirely satisfactory evidence when this claim was rejected upon the ground that the cause of death originated subsequent to the soldier’s discharge.

GROVER CLEVELAND.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, June 23, 1886.

To the House of Representatives: 

I return herewith without approval House bill No. 6895, entitled “An act granting a pension to Sarah Harbaugh.”

The husband of this claimant enlisted August 1, 1861, and was discharged September 7, 1864.  He received a gunshot wound in the left ankle in May, 1863, and died suddenly of disease of the heart October 4, 1881.  He was insane before his death, but in my opinion any connection between his injury and his service in the Army is next to impossible.

GROVER CLEVELAND.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, June 23, 1886.

To the House of Representatives: 

I hereby return without approval House bill No. 7167, entitled “An act for the relief of Mrs. Maria Hunter.”

The beneficiary named in this bill, to whom it is therein proposed to grant a pension at the rate of $50 a month, on the 23d day of March, 1886, filed her application for a pension in the Pension Bureau, where it is still pending undetermined.

Although the deceased soldier held a high rank, I have no doubt his widow will receive ample justice through the instrumentality organized for the purpose of dispensing the nation’s grateful acknowledgment of military service in its defense.

GROVER CLEVELAND.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, June 23, 1886.

To the House of Representatives: 

I return herewith without approval House bill No. 3205, entitled “An act granting a pension to George W. Guyse.”