GROVER CLEVELAND.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _August 10, 1888_.
_To the House of Representatives_:
I return without approval House bill No. 149, entitled "An act granting
a pension to Rachael Barnes."
The husband of this beneficiary served in the Regular Army of the United
States from February 24, 1838, to February 24, 1841.
In 1880 he applied for a pension, alleging that he contracted disease of
the eyes during the year 1840 while serving in Florida.
Pending the examination of his application, and on the 24th day of
March, 1882, he committed suicide by hanging. His widow filed a claim
for pension, alleging that he died of insanity, the result of disease
of the head and eyes. Her claim was rejected on the ground that his
insanity, forty-one years after discharge from the service, had no
connection with his military service.
In July, 1886, a special act was passed granting a pension to the widow,
which met with Executive disapproval.
At the time the soldier committed suicide he was 68 years old. Upon the
facts I hardly think insanity is claimed. At least there does not appear
to be the least evidence of it, unless it be the suicide itself. It is
claimed, however, and with good reason, that he had become despondent on
account of the delay in determining his application for a pension and
because he supposed that important evidence to establish his claim which
he expected would not be forthcoming.
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