06/22/1886
https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu...
"I can not put out of mind the soldiers in this condition who were privates in the ranks."
"It could not, therefore, by any possibility be of the least benefit to him, but, on the other hand, might jeopardize his advantages already gained."
"He is now receiving the highest rate allowed under the general law for cases such as his, and he would be entitled to no more under the special act."
"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."