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

In the interest of the beneficiary and for her advantage the special bill is therefore disapproved.

But the pension under the general laws dates from the time of filing the application in 1879, while under a special act it would date only from the time of its passage.

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

He seems upon the facts presented to be justly entitled to it.

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.

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

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

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.'

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

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