The National tribune., 1886-07-15
THE VETO ANn THE yICrr,I.

THE VETO AND THE VICTIM.
Last week we commented on the Presi-
dents veto of the bill to give pension to
]. w. Farris, of Missouri. This was one of
the cases in which the President became
particularly witty and sarcastic, as will be
seen by reading the veto message:
From the Congressional Record.
/ hereby return without approval bill origi-
mating in the House OF Representatives entitled
An act granting increase Of pension TO J. w.
Farris,n which bill Is numbered 6,I36.
The claimant mentioned in this bill enlisted in
the month OF October, 1861, and was mustered out
Of the service in August, 1856.
In 1851. l6 years after his discharge. he filed an
application for pension, alleging that he was
afflicted with chronic diarrhea contracted in the
army. and in 1885 his claim was allowed, and he
granted pension for that cause.
In September OF the year, and afler this pen
sion was granted he fled an application for in
Of his rate. alleging that in 1884 his eyes
became affected in consequence Of his previous
ailments and the debility consequent thereupon.
The ingenuity developed in the constant and
persistent attacks upon the public Treasury by
those claiming pensions and the increase Of those
already granted is exhibited in bold relief by this
ANNSAhPA 70 SUI aihobB AAt ie7AAlo %
diarrhea"
am entirely satisfied with the opinion of the
medical referee. who. after examining this case in
October, 1855, reported that " the disease OF the
eyes cannot be admitted 10 he a result Of chronic
diarrhea
On all grounds Il seems TO me that this claimant
should be contented with the pension which has
been already allowed him.
GROVER CLEVELAND
II turns out that Farris, instead of being
the impudent swindler the President charac-
terized him, is a gentleman of the highest
social standing, wasan unusually good soldier
during the war, served nearly four years is
now a State Senator in the Legislature of
Missouri, Democrat in politics, and the
best oculists in the country have certified
that his impaired eyesight is directly due to
the nervous irritation produced by long
standing and incurable diarrhea. He has
been stung into writing reply to the Presi-
dents assault upon him, which is eninently
worth printing in full:
! LEnAsoS, No. July 6.-I hope I may be par
doned for writing this letter but the constant refer
ence by the press 10 the pension bill in my favor
recently passed by Congress aud vetoed by the
President and the gross injustice 10 me in ali these
publications seems to demand some explanation.
A few weeks ago honored citizen held
1 Ia high esteem by "a constituency who profuseIy
/ faitered me with The acknowledgment that as a
I Senator had served them faithfully aud we'll and
/ / was strongly solicited TO be a candidate for re-
election. Many Of these people knew the extent
Of my physical disabilities, but believed that these
inrnties sufficient TO retire me 10 private
| life. In March last Congressman Bland introduced
/ a pension bill for me. and a truth had no idea
that such step was ia contemplation until the
same was published in the daily papers.
4 4 viii here say that, personally. doubt the ex.
! pediency Of the system Of special legislation on
this subject and think that the general pension
laws should be made broad enough IL possible "a
cover all that might arise. But as the bill had
been introduced was inclined 10 consider il az O
spontaneous outbursi Of public sympathy, and felt
indeed. complimonied by the thought that I-eveu
I-had friends in Congress who could remember me
IN the hours Of adversely.
Ordinarily II is enough to be a victim Of disease
aud conscious Of approaching permanent disability
OF carly dissolution but when this is accompanied
with the brutal ex parte judgment Of President
whom the sufferer had aided In eeciing the with
drawal Of personal and political sympathies an,
the rude and vulgar taunts OF the press it only
family illustrates the extraordinary dilemma II
which / en- placed.
II l had by persistent lobby and personal ant
political influences secured the passage Of bill 10
my benefit, there might have been some excus,
for the severe language used by the President n
lie veto message. when the truth Is told and th,
facts admitted that the bill was not introduced a
my solicitation, or even with my personal knowI
edge or consent, am at a loss TO know how a con
sentative public justify the brutality dsplaye,
by the Chief Executive OF a Government. TO whicl
gave four years Of active military service. hazard
ing life impeTiling health, aud making myself pre-
. matureiy old. And yet such seems the result
Que Of nay competitors. Mr.. }. Is. Rackli1e, pos
sessed u about the same degree of patriotism ina
! induced Grover Cleveland 10 hire "a substitute
rather than fight his countrys battles ruled by Tia
same brutal instincts which impeled the Presiden
20 assault me so unjustly ia his message has gon
over the district and coyertly-yea. In a coward,
Tianner-Ised this veto message 10 manufactur
sentiment against nae. and build for himself tina
character and reputation which he had not bee
allie 10 attain through the misfortune c
others.
II am content with the defeat Y h'ch VIII prnbab
come 10 me. but am not content 10 remain siien
aud be branded by President-even Democrat
President--wilh having devised an ingenious plal
20 attack the public Treasury" No man VIII
knows me would write such a sentiment but, sen
forth az the uiterance Of Democratic President
: and AT a time when partisan blindness is 80 appaI
ent. unrefuied IL would hand my name down {
my children as that Of an imposier and fraud
am proud Of the record ] made as a soldier
7 LEFT the army Of the end Of four years service