EXECUTIVE MANSION, _October 17, 1888_.
_To the House of Representatives_:
I return without approval House bill No. 10504, entitled "An act
granting a pension to Mary Hooper."
The husband of this beneficiary was first lieutenant in the volunteer
service from December 7, 1861, to February 28, 1862, a little over two
months, when he resigned. His resignation was based upon a medical
certificate in which it is stated that "this officer is unfit for duty
on account of chronic pleuritis and pulmonary consumption, from which he
has suffered for the past four months."
This certificate is dated February 14, 1862.
The soldier filed a claim in 1871 alleging typhoid fever resulting in
paralysis, and that the fever was contracted in the latter part of
February, 1862.
The soldier died January 17, 1884, of paralysis.
The beneficiary filed a claim for pension November 17, 1887, claiming
that her husband died of disease contracted in the service.
The claims have been specially and thoroughly examined. The testimony
does not establish any disease or disability in the service other than
those stated in the certificate procured by him when he resigned, but it
does tend to establish that about April 17, 1862, after his resignation,
the soldier was sick with typhoid fever, and that afterwards he suffered
from partial paralysis, which increased and finally caused his death.
I make no reference to the fact stated in the committee's report
suggesting the idea that the courage of the deceased soldier had been
questioned further than to correct the allegation of the report that
either his or his widow's claim for pension has been rejected for
cowardice. It appears from the record furnished to me that they were
rejected on the ground that the evidence is insufficient to connect the
death cause or disability with the soldier's military service.
I am unable to see what other conclusion could be reached in the face of
the soldier's own statements, as contained in the medical certificate
furnished him and elsewhere made, and upon consideration of the other
facts in the case.