EXECUTIVE MANSION, _June 19, 1886_.
_To the House of Representatives_:
I return without approval House bill No. 4058, entitled "An act for the
relief of Joel D. Monroe."
The claimant mentioned in this bill enlisted in August, 1864, and was
discharged with his regiment June 4, 1865.
The record of his short military service exhibits no mention of any
injury or disability; but in June, 1880, fifteen years after his
discharge, he filed in the Pension Bureau a claim for a pension based
upon the allegation that in December, 1864, he was injured by the
falling of a tree, which struck him on his head, affecting both of his
eyes. He added to this allegation the further complaint that he
contracted rheumatism while in the service.
The application for a pension was rejected by the Pension Bureau because
there was no record of the disabilities claimed, nor was satisfactory
proof furnished that any such disabilities originated in the service.
I am so entirely satisfied with this determination of the Pension Bureau
that I am constrained to withhold my approval of this bill.