EXECUTIVE MANSION, _July 6, 1888_.
_To the House of Representatives_:
I return without approval House bill No. 9184, entitled "An act granting
a pension to William M. Campbell, jr."
This beneficiary was not enrolled in the service of the United States
until August 5, 1862. Previous to that time he had been a member of the
same regiment in which he was so enrolled, and was in the service of the
State of Kentucky.
He alleges that in the month of February, 1862, he was vaccinated with
impure virus and in the same month contracted mumps. He claims that as
a result of these troubles he has been afflicted with ulcers and other
serious consequences.
It is perfectly clear that at the time these disabilities were incurred,
if they were incurred, the claimant was not in the military service of
the United States.
The records show that he deserted September 16, 1862, a little more than
a month after he was mustered into the United States service; that he
was arrested April 25, 1864, one year and seven months after his
desertion; that he was restored to duty by general court-martial with
loss of pay and allowances during absence (the time lost by desertion to
be made good), and that he was mustered out July 16, 1865.
This enactment seems neither to have law nor meritorious equity to
support it.