Grover Cleveland

I return herewith without approval Senate bill No. 2111, entitled 'An act granting a pension to Jacob Smith.'

I suppose his certificate has already been issued, and I am unwilling to jeopardize the advantages he has gained thereunder.

I transmit herewith to the House of Representatives a report from the Secretary of State, in response to a resolution of that body of the 16th instant, inquiring as to the action of this Department to protect the interests of American…

I herewith return without approval Senate bill No. 859, entitled 'An act granting a pension to Charlotte O'Neal.'

This bill proposes to grant a pension to the beneficiary therein named as the widow of Richard O'Neal.

The records of the War Department fail to show that there was a colonel of the Twenty-sixth Indiana Regiment named Richard O'Neal.

This case demonstrates the means employed in attempts to cheat the Government in applications for pensions--too often successful.

If this is the officer whose widow is named in the bill, the proposition is to pension a widow of a soldier who, after a ten months' service, resigned.

Of course these decisions were correct in law, in equity, and in morals.

I transmit herewith, with a view to its ratification, a treaty of amity, commerce, and navigation, concluded October 2, 1886, in the harbor of Nukualofa, Tongatabu, between the United States of America and the King of Tonga.

It is a mistake to suppose that service pensions, such as are permitted by the second section of the bill under consideration, are new to our legislation.

It is manifestly of the utmost importance that statutes which, like pension laws, should be liberally administered as measures of benevolence in behalf of worthy beneficiaries should admit of no uncertainty as to their general objects and…

I adhere to the sentiments thus heretofore expressed.

I think it may be said that at the close of the War of the Rebellion every Northern State and a great majority of Northern counties and cities were burdened with taxation on account of the large bounties paid our soldiers.

I can not believe that the vast peaceful army of Union soldiers... desire at this time and in the present exigency to be confounded with those who through such a bill... gain a place upon the pension roll through alleged dependence.

I transmit herewith, in response to a resolution of the House of the 24th ultimo, a report of the Secretary of State.

I do not regard it at all strange that this claimant, encouraged by the ease with which special acts are passed, seeks relief through such means.

There is no doubt that justice will be done the claimant under the general law.

We do not believe him sick, or that he has been sick, but completely worthless.

I withhold my assent from this bill because, if the facts before me... are true, the allowance of this claim would, in my opinion, be a travesty upon our whole scheme of pensions and an insult to every decent veteran soldier.

I hereby return without approval House bill No. 7540, entitled 'An act to increase the pension of Franklin Sweet.'

I fully approve this action of the Bureau, and as this is much more favorable to a deserving soldier than his remedy under this bill, I am not willing that the action so lately and so justly taken in his behalf under the general law should…

The rejection was clearly right, unless the Government is to be held as an insurer against every fatal casualty incurred by those who have served in the Army, without regard to the manner of its occurrence.

He is totally unfit for the Invalid Corps or for any other military duty.

I herewith return without approval House bill No. 6825, entitled 'An act granting a pension to James R. Baylor.'