William McKinley actually said...

"To permit such an action to be brought now is simply, without any reason of a special nature, to grant a privilege to these claimants which is denied to all other citizens of the United States."

"For these reasons I am constrained to withhold my approval from this bill."

"I fail to see any reason in the facts connected with these claims for granting to these parties relief of this extraordinary nature."

"The Government can only defend itself against claims of this nature through its public officers and with the use of such public records as the Departments may furnish."