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.

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.''

I therefore recommend the immediate enactment of such legislation as will authorize the assembling of the legislature of that Territory in special session at an early day, so that provision can be made to meet the difficulties herein suggested.

Thursday, the 3d of September, being the anniversary of the signing of the treaty of peace at Paris by which the independence of these United States was recognized and secured, has been suggested by this committee as an appropriate day for the ceremonies of inauguration.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.