EXECUTIVE MANSION, _August 9, 1888_.
_To the House of Representatives_:
I return without approval House bill No. 3521, entitled "An act granting
a pension to Manuel Garcia."
From the records it appears that the beneficiary named in this bill
enlisted as a substitute August 6, 1864, and was transferred to the
Eighth New Jersey Volunteers; that he is reported absent sick, and never
joined his regiment, and was discharged from a hospital July 2, 1865.
He filed a claim for pension March 4, 1880, alleging that in October,
1864, at Alexandria, Va., he became lame in both legs, and that
subsequently his eyes became inflamed. His hospital record shows that he
was treated for pneumonia.
The board of examining surgeons in 1883 found no such evidence of
varicose veins, which seems to be the disability claimed, as would
justify a rating, and there appears to be no proof of the existence of
any disability between the date of discharge and the year 1867.
The application of this beneficiary is still pending in the Pension
Bureau awaiting any further proof which may be submitted in its support.