It is well known that the business of insurance is entered upon with the expectation that the premiums received will pay all losses and yield a profit to the insurance in addition.

This bill is in many of its features far removed from a legitimate deficiency bill, and it contains a number of appropriations which seem to me to be exceedingly questionable.

There certainly ought to be a strong presumption that the case was fairly and justly determined by the Bureau.

I herewith return without approval House bill No. 4526, entitled 'An act granting a pension to Jonathan Scott.'

I am advised by the Pension Bureau that the bill, if it becomes a law in its present form, would be inoperative.

The bond directed to be given by this bill would afford the Government no protection, since it only provides against repayment of the bond in the future, whereas the payment we should suffer from has already been made.

Economy and the exaction of clear justification for the appropriation of public moneys by the servants of the people are not only virtues, but solemn obligations.

I suppose to sustain a claim upon the indemnity bond given when the duplicate was issued in 1864 we should be prepared to show that the second payment on the original bond was made upon such a state of facts as compelled or at least…

I herewith return without approval House bill No. 900, entitled 'An act to provide for the payment of the claim of William H. Mahoney.'

The Government has therefore once paid the amount of this bond to the party apparently entitled to it.

I believe no greater danger confronts us as a nation than the unhappy decadence among our people of genuine and trustworthy love and affection for our Government as the embodiment of the highest and best aspirations of humanity.

I only discharge a duty to our people when I interpose my disapproval of the legislation proposed.

It is quite plain that in fairness and justice no appropriation should be made in favor of the claimant.

As a legal proposition, the pensionable status of a soldier's widow, lost by her remarriage, can not be recovered by the dissolution of the second marriage.

I suppose no one would suggest the renewal of such pension during the lifetime of her second husband.

Legislation of this description is sure to establish a precedent which it will be difficult to disclaim, and which if followed can not fail to lead to abuse.

Her pensionable relation to the Government as the widow of her deceased soldier husband, under any reasonable pension theory, absolutely terminated with her remarriage.

I transmit herewith, in response to the resolution of the Senate dated the 9th instant and addressed to the Secretary of State, a report of that officer, accompanied by copies of printed documents containing the information desired…