EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 13, 1889_.
_To the Senate_:
I return without approval Senate bill No. 3451, entitled "An act
granting a pension to Frank D. Worcester."
The beneficiary named in this bill served in the Volunteer Army from
February 4, 1863, to January 27, 1864, a period of less than one year,
when he was discharged upon the certificate of a surgeon, alleging as
his disability "manifest mental imbecility and incontinence of urine.
Disease originated previous to enlistment."
In 1880, sixteen years after his discharge, a claim for pension was
filed in his behalf by his father as his guardian, in which it was
alleged that his mind, naturally not strong, became diseased in the Army
by reason of excitement and exposure.
He was adjudged insane in 1872 and sent to an insane hospital, where
he remained about six years, when he was discharged as a harmless
incurable. His mental condition has remained about the same since that
time.
Upon the declared inability to furnish testimony to rebut the record of
mental disease prior to enlistment, the claim for pension was rejected
in 1883.
In 1887 the case was reopened and a thorough examination was made as to
soundness prior to enlistment and the origin and continuance of mental
unsoundness.
Upon this examination evidence was taken showing that he was deficient
intellectually when he joined the Army; that he was stationed where he
was not much exposed, and that his duties were comparatively light; that
he never was considered a boy of solid intelligence, and that he had
epileptiform seizures prior to enlistment.
On the other hand, no disinterested and unbiased evidence was secured
tending to rebut these conditions.
The claim was thereupon again rejected. This was a proper disposition of
the case unless the Government is held liable for every disability which
may afflict those who served in the Union Army.