lusion that the case was properly disposed of,
and base my disapproval of the bill herewith returned upon the same
ground.

GROVER CLEVELAND.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, _August 9, 1888_.

_To the House of Representatives_:

I return without approval House bill No. 3521, entitled "An act granting
a pension to Manuel Garcia."

From the records it appears that the beneficiary named in this bill
enlisted as a substitute August 6, 1864, and was transferred to the
Eighth New Jersey Volunteers; that he is reported absent sick, and never
joined his regiment, and was discharged from a hospital July 2, 1865.

He filed a claim for pension March 4, 1880, alleging that in October,
1864, at Alexandria, Va., he became lame in both legs, and that
subsequently his eyes became inflamed. His hospital record shows that he
was treated for pneumonia.

The board of examining surgeons in 1883 found no such evidence of
varicose veins, which seems to be the disability claimed, as would
justify a rating, and there appears to be no proof of the existence of
any disability between the date of discharge and the year 1867.

The application of this beneficiary is still pending in the Pension
Bureau awaiting any further proof which may be submitted in its support.

GROVER CLEVELAND.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, _August 10, 1888_.

_To the House of Representatives_:

I return without approval House bill No. 149, entitled "An act granting
a pension to Rachael Barnes."

The husband of this beneficiary served in the Regular Army of the United
States from February 24, 1838, to February 24, 1841.

In 1880 he applied for a pension, alleging that he contracted disease of
the eyes during the year 1840 while serving in Florida.

Pending the examination of his application, and on the 24th day of
March, 1882, he committed suicide by hanging. His widow filed a claim
for pension, alleging that he died of insanity, the result of disease
of the head and eyes. Her claim was rejected on the ground that his
insanity, forty-one years after discharge from the service, had no
connection with his military service.

In July, 1886, a special act was passed granting a pension to the widow,
which met with Executive disapproval.

At the time the soldier committed suicide he was 68 years old. Upon the
facts I hardly think insanity is claimed. At least there does not appear
to be the least evidence of it, unless it be the suicide itself. It is
claimed, however, and wi