en that the rights and interests of the Indians are important in
every view and should be scrupulously protected.

GROVER CLEVELAND.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 23, 1895_.

_To the House of Representatives_:

I return herewith without approval House bill No. 5740, entitled "An act
incorporating the Society of American Florists."

No sufficient reason is apparent for the incorporation of this
organization under Federal laws. There is not the least difficulty in
the way of the accomplishment under State laws by the incorporators
named in the bill of every purpose which can legitimately belong to
their corporate existence. The creation of such a corporation by a
special act of Congress establishes a vexatious and troublesome
precedent.

There appears to be no limit in the bill to the value of the real and
personal property which the proposed corporation may hold if acquired
by donation or bequest. The limit of $50,000 applies only to property
acquired by purchase.

A conclusive objection to the bill is found in the fact that it fails to
carry out the purposes and objects of those interested in its passage.
The promoters of the bill are florists, who undoubtedly seek to advance
floriculture. The declared object of the proposed incorporation is,
however, stated in the bill to be "the elevation and advancement of
horticulture in all its branches, to increase and diffuse the knowledge
thereof, and for kindred purposes in the interest of horticulture."

It is entirely clear that the interests of florists would be badly
served by a corporation confined to the furtherance of garden culture.

GROVER CLEVELAND.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 23, 1895_.

_To the House of Representatives_:

I return herewith without approval House bill No. 4658, entitled "An act
granting a pension to Hiram R. Rhea and repealing an act approved March
3, 1871."

The person named in the title of this bill was pensioned under the
provisions of a private act passed March 3, 1871. In 1892 a letter from
the Commissioner of Pensions was presented to Congress exhibiting facts
which established in a most satisfactory manner that the claim for
pension allowed by said special act was a barefaced and impudent fraud,
supported by deliberate perjury. This letter appears to be the moving
cause of the passage of the bill now before me. Payment of pension under
the fraudulent act has been suspended since January 28, 1893, and since
that time