To grant a pension in such a case would establish a precedent in the appropriation of money from the public Treasury which I can hardly think we should be justified in following.
GROVER CLEVELAND.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, July 17, 1888.
To the House of Representatives:
I return without approval House bill No. 9174, entitled "An act granting a pension to Woodford M. Houchin."
The beneficiary named in this bill was enrolled September 18, 1861 and discharged December 17, 1864.
He filed a claim for pension in the Pension Bureau December 22, 1876, alleging that he had a sore or ulcer on his left leg "which existed in a small way prior to enlistment," but was aggravated and enlarged by the exposures of the service.
This claim was rejected in 1877 on the ground that the disability existed prior to enlistment.
In September, 1879, he filed another application for pension, alleging a disability arising from an affection of his right eye caused by an attack of measles in September, 1861, and also again alleging ulcerated varicose veins of his left leg.
In October, 1886, the rejection of the claim for ulcerated varicose veins was adhered to and the added claim for disease of the eyes was rejected on the ground that it was not incurred in the service and line of duty.