Some of the citizens were celebrating the
day, and one of them had a can of powder in his hand which, according
to the report of the accident, "was about to explode." The soldier
endeavored to knock the can from the hand of the person who held it,
when the powder exploded, severely injuring the soldier and
necessitating the amputation of his right forearm.
Though this was a most unfortunate accident, it is quite plain that it
had no connection with the military service.
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.
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