It will be observed that no affection of the eyes is mentioned in the record of his treatment in quarters.

The claimant was examined by the New York City board of surgeons in June, 1878, and no rheumatism was found to exist.  He is now blind, and while his case is certainly a pitiable one I am forced to the belief that the conclusions reached in 1879 upon his application, that his disease was contracted while absent without leave and that his disability was due to syphilis, were correct.

GROVER CLEVELAND.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, September 7, 1888.

To the House of Representatives: 

I return without approval House bill No. 217, entitled “An act granting a pension to C.T.  Maphet.”

This beneficiary enlisted August 1, 1863, and was discharged January 27, 1865, for disability.

The commander of the post certifies: 

This soldier says that he was first affected with the present disease, conjunctivitis, in the spring of 1862, since which time his eyes have never been well, and for a great portion of the time since enlistment he has been unfit for duty.

The certificate of the surgeon is as follows: 

Incapacitated by reason of long-standing conjunctivitis of both eyes, attended with partial opacity of the cornea.  Disability existed prior to enlistment, consequently soldier is ineligible to the Veteran Reserve Corps.

The beneficiary filed no application for pension until April, 1883.

Notwithstanding some evidence of soundness prior to enlistment, it seems to be quite well established that the trouble with his eyes was not the result of his military service, but existed before enlistment.

GROVER CLEVELAND.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, September 7, 1888.

To the House of Representatives: 

I return without approval House bill No. 5503, entitled “An act granting a pension to Charles Walster.”

This case has been very exhaustively examined by the Pension Bureau upon the application for a pension filed there by the beneficiary named in this bill.  Upon a review of the evidence taken it appears to be well established that any disability of the beneficiary heretofore existing was no attributable to his military service.

In addition to this a board of pension surgeons, as late as July, 1886, determined, after a thorough medical investigation, that no pensionable disability existed.

It thus appears that even if this bill were approved there could be no rating, and the legislation would be of no advantage to the beneficiary named.

GROVER CLEVELAND.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, September 7, 1888.

To the House of Representatives: 

I return without approval House bill No. 333, entitled “An act granting a pension to Catharine Bussey.”

It does not appear that the husband of this beneficiary ever applied for a pension.  He was discharged from the Volunteer Army on the 9th day of December, 1864, after a service of more than three years.