Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1894-08-08

Washington. Aug. 7. - President
Cleveland give 10 congress clear
statement OF his views Of special legis-
lation for the retirement OF army OH
GERS In veto today OF tho bni for
the relief Of Eugene Wells. late cap
tain OF the Twelfth Infantry. The bin
authorized the president to appoint
the beneficiary q second lieutenant OF
artillery, to be placed on the retired
list from disability without the usual
examination by retiring board The
president writes.
Appointments to the army under
the Authority Of special legislation
which named the proposed appolntce
and the purpose Of which ls tho imme-
diate retirement Of the appointee, are
opsn to serious objections. thourh 1
have been persuaded thrsugh sympa-
Thy and sentiment on q number OF ue-
el-,ong, to approve such legislation.
" nen, however II Is proposed 10 make
the retirement compulsory and without
rsfl;cnoe TO age or previous examine
ton. most Objectionable feature Is
introduced. The canes covered by the
special enactment referred to are uau-
ally such rs should, II worthy OF any
confederation, but provided for under
general or private pension laws, louv-
Ing the retired list Of the army to
Aerv9 the legitimate purposes for which
II was established. a recent discussion
IN the house of representatives. upon a
bill similar to tho one now before me
drew from member " the house COM
inittco on military affairs the deelarn-
ton that hundreds OF such bills were
before that committee. and that there
fffN nrgnnAnrtH ar lao q
the particular one under diseuaslon.
~ seems To me that this condition sug-
ReHt1 such an encropchment upon tho
retired HIST Of the army as should
leave TO the virtual abandonment OF
lilo legislation. based upon sound pol-
ley ana good administration There
arc Facts connected with the case COW
cred by the bill now before me which
In my judgment, forbid It's favorable
confederation,
The president then reviews the mui.
lArE record OF Captain Wells, SAYING
thst In tho fan OF 1870 he was charged
with conduct unbecumlng an onicor
md u gentleman. Tho speclnentious
were that while Intoxicated he had
Violently amuultcd other oliiccra M
Fort Fottor Wye. and struck ono ON
ne head with "a billiard cue Before
aus trial he took advantage OF an act
uet passed 10 apply for hls discharge
" ~ NtN hAN'4l AlAll bllN inc tnNrEON
withdrawn, In 1855 he was appointed
second lieutenant against mo pro.
ieslA OF other ollcor1. and Ia iSgT,w
;hhrgcd with being DRUM, ON duty ana
WIN conduct 20 the prejudice OF good
ordor and military discipline in RENE
NIX TO promptly obey the commands
Of his superior; was court mnrtlaleA
and dismissed in 1887. The message
continues;
Since that time repeated effarta have
been made 20 vOoate this Judgment and
restore the dismissed officer While a
number OF committees IN congress have
made reports favorable TO such action
NJ least two committees have recon-,
mended denial of legislative RELIEF
both OF these reports were made out
on behalf OF the house committee an
military affairs by distinguished soil
diers, who. after patient examination
end with an inclination To be not only
lust nut generous TO n fellow soldier.
were constrained TO recommend a re-
fnaal Of the application for restoration.
am Impressed with the belief that
legiHlation OF the kind proposed Ia Of
extremely doubtful eNpedicncy in my
ease. and ] am thoroughly convinced
Nv mo case now before me and the
discipline OF our army. IA Won IA
Justice To It's merltoua members does
not permit my approval on any ground
OF the Dill herewith returned"