I am entirely satisfied that this determination was correct.

I am constrained to disapprove the bill under consideration, because it is thus far our settled and avowed policy to grant pensions only to widows whose husbands have died from causes related to military service, and because the proposed legislation would, in my opinion, result in a discrimination in favor of this claimant unfair and unjust toward thousands of poor widows who are equally entitled to our sympathy and benevolence.

GROVER CLEVELAND.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, April 18, 1888.

To the Senate: 

I return without approval Senate bill No. 258, entitled “An act for the relief of Major Daniel N. Bash, paymaster, United States Army.”

The object of this bill is to release Paymaster Bash from all liability to the Government for the loss by theft of $7,350.93, which was intrusted to him for the payment of United States troops at various posts, one of which was Fort McKinney, in Wyoming Territory.

He started from Cheyenne Depot, accompanied by his clerk, D.F.  Bash.  Before starting he attempted to procure an iron safe in which he could deposit the money which he should have in his possession during his absence, but was unable to do so.  It is alleged that it is customary for paymasters in such cases to be furnished with safes by the Government.

On the 17th day of March, 1887, Major Bash arrived at Douglas, Wyoming Territory, having in his possession $350.93, which was a balance left in his hands after making previous payments on the way.  At Douglas he received by express $7,000, $250 of which were in silver.  He was met here by an escort consisting of a sergeant and private soldier, who had been sent from Fort McKinney, and who were under orders to report to the paymaster at Douglas and to act as guard from that place to Fort McKinney.

Another unsuccessful attempt having been made at Douglas to obtain a safe or treasure box in which to carry the money, the same was put in a leather valise as the best thing that could be done in the circumstances.  The money was first handed by the paymaster to his clerk, and by the clerk put in the valise and handed to the sergeant of the escort.  There is evidence that the sergeant was told not to permit it to be out of his sight.  Immediately after supper at Douglas the entire party entered the stage and proceeded upon their journey, the sergeant carrying the valise.  Major Bash asserts that he said to the sergeant, “You must take good care of the valise; it contains the money.”

The next morning, on the 18th day of March, the party arrived at Dry Cheyenne.  When the paymaster went in to breakfast at that place, he found all the party at the breakfast table.  After breakfast he walked out to the stage, the sergeant going at the same time.  He asked him what he had done with the valise, and received the reply that it was in the stage.  He then said to the sergeant, “You ought to have brought it in with you; you should take better care of that valise.”  The valise was then examined and the money was found untouched.