The Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1885-1886, 1886-06-22

Democratic Leaders in the House Make
a Strategetic Move - Proceedings in
Congress.
WASHINGTON CITY, June ~ The presi.
dent, Monday, sent to congress fifteen veto
messages Of those, six were addressed to
the senate and nine to the house of repre-
sentativca All but two of the vetoes re-
ferred to pension bills The two exceptions
were bills providing for the erection of
public buildings at GAINESVILLE, Ohio, and
Sioux City, Iowa, respectively. In his
message vetoing the bill granting pension
to Elizabeth s DekroHt, the president says
his objection is that it is of TO possible
advantage to the beneficiary, as the present
pension laws give Ter all the advantages she
would receive under the special law In
concluding his message on this case the
president says: Il AM SO thoroughly tired Of
disappearing gifts of public money to indi-
diNidualS who, in my view. have no right or
claim to the same notwithstanding apparent
congressional sanction, that interpose with
q feeling OF relief in case where | find it
necessary to determine the merits OF the ap-
plicatiou- In speaking oflthe.promiscuous and
illadvised grants of pensions viii h have
lately bsen presented to me- for approval,
have spoken OF their apparent congres
sional sanction in recognition of the fact
that a large proportion OF these bills have
never been submitted to a majority of either
branch of congress, but are the result of
nominal sessions, held for the express pur-
pose of their consideration, and attended by
q small malority of the members of the re-
spectiye houses of the legislative branch of
government. Thus, in considering these bills,
! have not felt that | was aided by the
deliberate Judgment of the congress; and
when ! have deemed IL my duty to disap-
prove many OF the bills presented, have
hardly regarded my a, ton as dissent
from the conclusions OF the peoples repre-
sentativeS
Il have not teen insensible to the sug-
gestions which should influence every
citizen either in private station or official
place TO exhibit not only just, but a gener-
GUS 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. | have not,
however been able to entirely divest myself
u tne lned lHdt Tue puDlic money appfo-
priated for pensions, is the soldiers fund
which should be devoted to the INDEFINITE
cation of those who in the defence OF the
Union and in the nations service, have
worthily suffered and who, in the day of
their dependence resulting from such suffer
ing, ART entitled to the benefacttons of their
government
This reflection lends to the bestowal of
pensions a kind of sacredness, which invites
the adoption of such principles and regula-
lions will exclude perversion
as we'll US insure liberal
and generous application of CRATE
ful and benevolent designs Heed
iessness and disregard Of the principle
which underiies the granting OF pensions is
unfair TO the wounded, crippled soldier, who
Is honored in the Just recognition of his
government SuCh g man should never find
him'ef side 10y side on the pension roll with
those who lave been tempted to attri butte
tie natural Ills to which humanity is heir
TO serNi e in the army. Every rela Ration
OF principle in the granting OF pensions in
rItes applications without merit, ard
encourages these who, for gain, urge honest
men to- become dishonest Thus is the
demorali6ing lesson taught the people that
as against the public treasury the most
questionable expedients are allowable"