EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 3, 1887_.
_To the House of Representatives_:
I herewith return without approval House bill No. 6132, entitled "An act
granting a pension to William Lynch."
The claimant mentioned in this bill enlisted in the Fifth Regiment
United States Infantry in 1849, and was discharged, after a
reenlistment, September 8, 1859.
He filed a claim for pension more than twenty-four years afterwards, in
April, 1884, claiming that he contracted rheumatism of the right hip and
leg in the winter of 1857-58, while serving in Utah. He admitted that he
was not under treatment while in the service and that he never consulted
a physician in regard to his disability until he commenced proceedings
for a pension.
The evidence disclosed to me falls far short of establishing this claim
for pension upon its merits.
The application made to the Pension Bureau is still pending and awaiting
answer to inquiries made by the Bureau in January, 1886.
I do not understand that the Congress intends to pass special acts in
cases thus situated.