I herewith transmit, in reply to the resolution of the Senate of the 11th instant, a copy of a report from the Secretary of State, with accompanying documents, relative to the pending treaty with China.

Our government is the creation of the people, established to carry out their designs and accomplish their good.

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.

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.

Although there are cases in which it seems not improper that pensions should be granted for injuries sustained during furlough and before actual return to duty, this does not appear to me to be one of them.

I think it should not, on the grounds that the amount was fixed by the Department upon full examination.

To give the least encouragement to postmasters that these allowances would be upon their application revised and increased by Congress would lead to demoralization in the service.

If there is any value to be placed upon the reports of these examining boards, the refusal of the Pension Bureau to restore this beneficiary to the rolls was fully justified.

To allow a claim so lacking in merit would endanger discipline and invite irregularity and loose methods in a very important branch of the public service.

Neither the service nor the alleged disability of this beneficiary are of a meritorious character.

This bill does not give the name of the intended beneficiary.

I return the joint resolution without approval.

The propriety and expediency of this appropriation should be left to legislative discretion.

I return without approval House bill No. 9183, entitled 'An act granting a pension to William P. Riddle.'

I return without approval House bill No. 2233, entitled 'An act granting a pension to Bernard Carlin.'

While it is the rule under general laws that two pensions shall not be paid to the same person, ... it may result that under the peculiar wording of this bill she would be entitled to both pensions.

I am of the opinion that a case is not presented in any of its aspects justifying a pension.

It seems to me it would establish a very bad precedent to allow a pension upon the facts developed in this case.