EXECUTIVE MANSION, _July 17, 1888_.
_To the House of Representatives_:
I return without approval House bill No. 5913, entitled "An act granting
a pension to Thomas Shannon."
This beneficiary enlisted on the 31st day of May, 1870, in the Tenth
Regiment of United States Infantry.
On the 4th day of July, 1872, he was upon leave at the city of Rio
Grande, in the State of Texas. Some of the citizens were celebrating the
day, and one of them had a can of powder in his hand which, according
to the report of the accident, "was about to explode." The soldier
endeavored to knock the can from the hand of the person who held it,
when the powder exploded, severely injuring the soldier and
necessitating the amputation of his right forearm.
Though this was a most unfortunate accident, it is quite plain that it
had no connection with the military service.
To grant a pension in such a case would establish a precedent in the
appropriation of money from the public Treasury which I can hardly think
we should be justified in following.