No claim was filed in the Pension Bureau on behalf of the widow.  This perhaps is accounted for by the fact that information is lodged in that Bureau to the effect that the deceased soldier died on the 21st day of September, 1883, “from a pistol ball fired by Luther Cultor.”

If he was killed in a personal encounter, as the report of his death would seem to indicate, I am unable to see how his death can be in any way attributed to his military service or his widow be justly pensioned therefor.

GROVER CLEVELAND.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, July 17, 1888.

To the Senate: 

I return without approval Senate bill No. 1613, entitled “An act granting an increase of pension to John F. Ballier.”

This pensioner is now receiving the full amount of pension allowed for total disability to ex-soldiers of his rank.

Inasmuch as the bill herewith returned limits any increase to the rate fixed by law for cases of total disability, it appears to accomplish nothing of benefit to the beneficiary therein named.

GROVER CLEVELAND.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, July 17, 1888.

To the House of Representatives: 

I return without approval House bill No. 5913, entitled “An act granting a pension to Thomas Shannon.”

This beneficiary enlisted on the 31st day of May, 1870, in the Tenth
Regiment of United States Infantry.

On the 4th day of July, 1872, he was upon leave at the city of Rio Grande, in the State of Texas.  Some of the citizens were celebrating the day, and one of them had a can of powder in his hand which, according to the report of the accident, “was about to explode.”  The soldier endeavored to knock the can from the hand of the person who held it, when the powder exploded, severely injuring the soldier and necessitating the amputation of his right forearm.

Though this was a most unfortunate accident, it is quite plain that it had no connection with the military service.

To grant a pension in such a case would establish a precedent in the appropriation of money from the public Treasury which I can hardly think we should be justified in following.

GROVER CLEVELAND.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, July 17, 1888.

To the House of Representatives: 

I return without approval House bill No. 9174, entitled “An act granting a pension to Woodford M. Houchin.”

The beneficiary named in this bill was enrolled September 18, 1861 and discharged December 17, 1864.

He filed a claim for pension in the Pension Bureau December 22, 1876, alleging that he had a sore or ulcer on his left leg “which existed in a small way prior to enlistment,” but was aggravated and enlarged by the exposures of the service.

This claim was rejected in 1877 on the ground that the disability existed prior to enlistment.

In September, 1879, he filed another application for pension, alleging a disability arising from an affection of his right eye caused by an attack of measles in September, 1861, and also again alleging ulcerated varicose veins of his left leg.