EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 23, 1889_.
_To the House of Representatives_:
I return without approval House bill No. 11803, entitled "An act
granting a pension to Henry V. Bass."
This beneficiary enlisted September 9, 1862, and was mustered out August
15, 1865. The records show no disability during his service.
It is now alleged that the soldier was sitting on the ground near his
tent while two comrades were wrestling near him, and that in the course
of the scuffle one of the parties engaged in it was thrown or fell upon
the beneficiary, injuring his right knee and ankle.
Upon these facts the claim was rejected by the Pension Bureau on the
ground that the injury was not received in the line of duty.
I do not think that the Government should be held as an insurer against
injuries of this kind, which are in no manner related to the performance
of military service.