Therefore I recommend the appropriation of such sum of money as in the judgment of Congress shall be deemed adequate and proper to defray the cost of the inauguration of this statue.

I now transmit to Congress a letter to the Secretary of State from Joseph W. Drexel, esq., chairman of the executive committee of 'the American committee on the pedestal of the great statue of 'Liberty Enlightening the World.''

The action of the French Government and people in relation to the presentation of this statue to the United States will, I hope, meet with hearty and responsive action upon the part of Congress.

A determination on the part of the General Government to suppress certain unlawful practices in this Territory demands neither the refusal of the means to support the local government nor the sacrifice of the interests of the community.

The policy of frequently reversing by special enactment the decisions of the Bureau invested by law with the examination of pension claims is exceedingly questionable.

I am convinced that the interposition by special enactment in the granting of pensions should be rare and exceptional.

A sufficient reason for the return of the particular bill now under consideration is found in the fact that it provides that the name of Andrew J. Hill be placed upon the pension roll.

She would thus lose for nearly two months the increase of pension already secured to her.

This proposed legislation does injustice to a very worthy pensioner who was on the pension roll at the time of the passage of the law.

It must be admitted that in some cases justice and equity can not be done nor the charitable tendencies of the Government in favor of worthy objects of its care indulged under fixed rules.

These bills I have approved on the assumption that the claims were meritorious and that by the passage of the bills the Government has waived full proof of the facts.

I return without my approval House bill No. 1471, entitled 'An act increasing the pension of Andrew J. Hill.'