Grover Cleveland

I believe that this appropriation of the public funds is not within the constitutional power of the Congress.

I regard the cause of civil service reform as so firmly established and its value so fully demonstrated.

The direct tax levied in 1861 is not even suspected of invalidity.

A government is not only kind, but performs its highest duty when it restores to the citizen taxes unlawfully collected.

Any other theory cheapens and in a measure discredits a process which more than any other is a manifestation of sovereign authority.

I have the honor to transmit herewith a report of the Secretary of State, concerning the expenses of the representation of the United States at the Brussels Exhibition of 1888.

I transmit herewith, in response to the resolution of the House of Representatives of the 21st of December last, a report of the Secretary of State and accompanying documents, touching affairs in Madagascar.

As there was no further provision extending the said treaty of July 29, 1882, beyond that date, it expired by limitation.

In coming to this decision the expedition desired by Germany in the work of the conference would in my judgment be promoted.

Although the present convention fully explains the reasons for its negotiation, it may not be improper here to add that Article VII of the convention of July 29, 1882, stipulated that the said convention should continue in force until the…

I herewith transmit, for the consideration of the Senate with a view to its ratification, a convention signed at Washington.

Nothing appears which satisfactorily connects this injury, which was received in November, 1864, with death from consumption in 1876.

an extraordinary occasion requires the Senate of the United States to convene at the Capitol

Another difficulty in the case is found in the fact that when the soldier was injured he was clearly not engaged in any military duty nor was his injury in any degree attributable to military service.

There is no record of any disability during his service.

It can hardly be supposed that the trouble with his ears caused the soldier to fall a victim to pneumonia.

This, upon all the facts, does not appear to be a proper case for allowing a pension for an injury suffered in the line of military duty.

This increased disability appears plainly to be the result of the strain or injury to the knee, and in no way connected with the bite for which he was pensioned.

This soldier drew a pension from January, 1882, to January 16, 1886, when he died.

The father does not appear to be so needy and dependent as is often exhibited in cases of this class.

I deem it best, in his interest, and probably consistent with the intent of the Congress, that the bill herewith returned should not become a law.

His death resulted from his voluntary and perfectly proper personal indulgence, and can not be in the least attributed to military service.

I herewith return without approval House bill No. 220, entitled 'An act granting a pension to John J. Lockrey.'

It is not probable that he ever saw any actual service.

I think the adoption of the principle that the Government is an insurer against accidents under any circumstances befalling those enlisted in its military service when visiting at home is an unwarrantable stretch of pension legislation.