by reason of long-standing conjunctivitis of both eyes,
attended with partial opacity of the cornea. Disability existed prior
to enlistment, consequently soldier is ineligible to the Veteran
Reserve Corps.

The beneficiary filed no application for pension until April, 1883.

Notwithstanding some evidence of soundness prior to enlistment, it seems
to be quite well established that the trouble with his eyes was not the
result of his military service, but existed before enlistment.

GROVER CLEVELAND.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, _September 7, 1888_.

_To the House of Representatives_:

I return without approval House bill No. 5503, entitled "An act granting
a pension to Charles Walster."

This case has been very exhaustively examined by the Pension Bureau upon
the application for a pension filed there by the beneficiary named in
this bill. Upon a review of the evidence taken it appears to be well
established that any disability of the beneficiary heretofore existing
was no attributable to his military service.

In addition to this a board of pension surgeons, as late as July, 1886,
determined, after a thorough medical investigation, that no pensionable
disability existed.

It thus appears that even if this bill were approved there could be no
rating, and the legislation would be of no advantage to the beneficiary
named.

GROVER CLEVELAND.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, _September 7, 1888_.

_To the House of Representatives_:

I return without approval House bill No. 333, entitled "An act granting
a pension to Catharine Bussey."

It does not appear that the husband of this beneficiary ever applied for
a pension. He was discharged from the Volunteer Army on the 9th day of
December, 1864, after a service of more than three years.

He was found dead on a railroad track on the 11th day of June, 1870,
apparently having been struck by a passing train.

It is claimed that the deceased suffered a sunstroke while in the Army,
which so affected his mind that he wandered upon the railroad track and
was killed in a fit of temporary insanity.

Though it would be gratifying to aid his widow, I do not think these
facts are proven or can be assumed.

GROVER CLEVELAND.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, _September 7, 1888_.

_To the House of Representatives_:

I return without approval House bill No. 5525, entitled "An act granting
a pension to Mrs. Jane Potts."

The husband of this beneficiary enlisted in 1861 and was muster