In coming to this decision the expedition desired by Germany in the work of the conference would in my judgment be promoted.

Another difficulty in the case is found in the fact that when the soldier was injured he was clearly not engaged in any military duty nor was his injury in any degree attributable to military service.

There is no record of any disability during his service.

It can hardly be supposed that the trouble with his ears caused the soldier to fall a victim to pneumonia.

This increased disability appears plainly to be the result of the strain or injury to the knee, and in no way connected with the bite for which he was pensioned.

This, upon all the facts, does not appear to be a proper case for allowing a pension for an injury suffered in the line of military duty.

This soldier drew a pension from January, 1882, to January 16, 1886, when he died.

Nothing appears which satisfactorily connects this injury, which was received in November, 1864, with death from consumption in 1876.

an extraordinary occasion requires the Senate of the United States to convene at the Capitol

I deem it best, in his interest, and probably consistent with the intent of the Congress, that the bill herewith returned should not become a law.

His death resulted from his voluntary and perfectly proper personal indulgence, and can not be in the least attributed to military service.

The father does not appear to be so needy and dependent as is often exhibited in cases of this class.

There is nothing appearing on the record which positively shows that he ever reached his regiment.

I think the adoption of the principle that the Government is an insurer against accidents under any circumstances befalling those enlisted in its military service when visiting at home is an unwarrantable stretch of pension legislation.

The allowance of pensions by special acts based upon service only gives rise to unjust and unfair discriminations among those equally entitled.

It is not probable that he ever saw any actual service.

I herewith return without approval House bill No. 220, entitled 'An act granting a pension to John J. Lockrey.'

It is by no means certain that this proposed legislation...would be upheld.