I deem it necessary for the discipline of our military forces that the judgment of the efficiency board should be accepted by the President and the Congress as final unless some information develops which was not known at the time of their action and which otherwise would probably have caused them to reach a different conclusion.

As other portions of the enemy's territory come into the possession of the land and naval forces of the United States, postal communication may be opened under the same conditions.

Your splendid command has endured not only the hardships and sacrifices incident to campaign and battle, but in stress of heat and weather has triumphed over obstacles which would have overcome men less brave and determined.

The powers of the military occupant are absolute and supreme and immediately operate upon the political condition of the inhabitants.

The sturdy valor and heroism of officers and men fill the American people with pride.

The assurance given by the commissioners that the money appropriated by section 27 of the act to pay certain bands for the ponies taken by the military authorities in 1876 would not be a charge against the proceeds of the ceded lands was obviously a correct interpretation of the law.

The cause of rejection is stated to be 'that the death cause (sunstroke) was not the result of the soldier's military service.'

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.

I do not understand that it has ever been claimed that a parent should be pensioned for the death of a son who had been in the Army unless his death could be traced in some way to his army service.

This is certainly the correct course to be pursued in this case, in view of the failure to state in the special bill the regiment and company to which the soldier belonged at the time of the incurrence of disability.

Whatever may be said of the incurrence of sunstroke in the Army, I find no proof that at the time he fell he was afflicted with vertigo.

If he had refrained from interference, he would have saved himself and performed to the utmost his military duty.

The death of this soldier was not the result of his military service.

I am unable to discover why a pension should be granted in this case, unless the Government is to be held as an insurer of the safety of every person in the military service in all circumstances and at all times and places.

He was discharged for a disability which, to say the least of it, certainly had no relation to his military service.

There is no record of any injury or disability while in the service.

I can not see that it was such a result of military service as to entitle the applicant to a pension.

The utmost liberality to those who were in our Army hardly justifies a compensation by way of pension for injuries incurred in sport or pastime or as the result of a practical joke.