EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 18, 1899_.
_To the House of Representatives_:
I return without approval House bill No. 9175, entitled "An act granting
a pension to George Wallen."
The beneficiary named in this bill filed an application for pension in
June, 1873, alleging as his disability a fracture of his right arm.
In a subsequent affidavit filed in 1883 he alleged deafness, which
appears to be the disability upon which the special act proposed for his
relief is based.
The records establish that he enlisted July 27, 1861, that he deserted
April 25, 1862, and returned February 20, 1863, after an absence of
about ten months, and that he deserted again April 30, 1864, and
returned prior to August 31, 1864. I am informed that his record shows
two enlistments and desertion during each. He was discharged December
31, 1864.
An application to remove the charge of desertion against him was denied.
Without especially discussing the question of disability chargeable to
military service, it seems to me that a soldier with such a record
should not be pensioned.