Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1886-07-09
The Presidents vetoes.

Ine IrcSluenJ VelOcu lnlrLeell llloTe
pension bills the other day, and re-
turned them TO the Senate with the
following MESSAGE
l am so thoroughly tired Of disap-
proving gifts of public money TO in
dividuals who, in my view, have no
right or claim to the same, notwith-
standing apparent Congressional
sanction, that interpose with feel
ing of relief in case where l find il
unnecessary to determinate the merit
of the application. In speaking of the
promiscuous and i'll advised grants of
pensions which have lately been pre-
senicd to me for approval, l have
spoken of their apparent Congress
sional sanction" in recognition OF the
fact that large proportion of these
bills have never been submitted to a
majority Of either branch CT Congress,
but are the result of nominal sessions
held for the express purpose of their
cons daration and ATTENDED by a small
minority Of the members Of the re-
spectivc Houses of the legislative
branch of Government. Thus, in con-
sidering these bills, have not felt
that l was aided by the deliberate
judgment of the Congress, and when
| have deemed il my duty TO disap-
prove many of the bills presented, l
have hardly regarded my action as a
dissent from the conclusions of fhe
peoples representatives, l have not
been insensible 10 the suggestion
which should influence every citizen,
either in private station or official
place, to exhibit not only just but a
generous appreciation of the services
of our country's defenders.
In reviewing the pension legislation
presented to me, many bills have been
approved upon the theory that every
doubt should be resolved in favor OF
the proposed beneficiary. l haye not,
however, been able to entirely divest
myselfofthe idea that the public mon
ey appropriated for pensions is the
soldiers fund, and should be devoted
to the indemnification of those who
in the defense of the Union and in
the nations service have worthily de-
served, and who, in the days of their
dependence resulting from such suf-
fering, are entitled 10 the benefactions
of their Government. This reflection
lends 10 the bestowal Of pensions 8
kind of sacredness which invites the
adoption of such principles and regu.
lations as will exclude perversion az
well as insure liberal and generous
application of grateful and benevolent
designs. Hecdlessness and disregard
of the principle which underlics tho
granting of pensions is unfair to the
wounded, crippled soldier, who il
honored in the just recognition of his
Government. Such man should
never find himself side by side oil
the pension roll with those who have
been tempted to attribute their natu
raj ills TO which humanity il
heir to service in the army. Ever!
relaxation of principle in the grant
ing of pensions invites application
without merit and encourages thosC
who for gain urge honest men to be
come dishonest. Thus is the demor
alizing lesson taught the people tina
as against the public Treasury tn
most questionable expedients are al
lOwable.
: During the present session of Con
I grcss 493 special pension bills hav
! been submitted to me, and am ad
vised that Ill more have received th
favorable action of both Houses G
: Congress, and will be presented wit
in day or two, making over GOO c
: these bills which have been passe,
/, up to this time during the prosen
. session, nearly three times the mum
,, Der passed at any entire session sine
/. the year 1861. With the Pension Bu
reau fully equipped and regulated b
the most liberal rules, In active opel
! alton, supplemented in its work b
, constant special legislation, il Gel
tainly is not unreasonable to suppoS
y that In all the years that have elapse
since the close of the war themajol
I ity of the meritorious claims for pei
0 sions have been presented and dete
mined. l have now more than l;
d of these bills before me awaiting E!
A ecutive action. 1t will be impossib
a to bestow upon them all the examin
: ton they deserve, and many wi
e probably become operative whit
S should be rejected. In the mean tin
Q I venture to suggest the significan,
! of the startling increase in this XII
h of legislation and the consequence
n involved in its continuance.