Not a case for pension."
A claim for pension was filed by the beneficiary at the Pension Bureau
in March, 1877, alleging that on or about April 1, 1863, he suffered
from chronic rheumatism and sore eyes, occasioned by exposure and
illness contracted in camp.
It will be observed that no affection of the eyes is mentioned in the
record of his treatment in quarters.
The claimant was examined by the New York City board of surgeons in
June, 1878, and no rheumatism was found to exist. He is now blind, and
while his case is certainly a pitiable one I am forced to the belief
that the conclusions reached in 1879 upon his application, that his
disease was contracted while absent without leave and that his
disability was due to syphilis, were correct.
GROVER CLEVELAND.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _September 7, 1888_.
_To the House of Representatives_:
I return without approval House bill No. 217, entitled "An act granting
a pension to C.T. Maphet."
This beneficiary enlisted August 1, 1863, and was discharged January 27,
1865, for disability.
The commander of the post certifies:
This soldier says that he was first affected with the present disease,
conjunctivitis, in the spring of 1862, since which time his eyes have
never been well, and for a great portion of the time since enlistment
he has been unfit for duty.
The certificate of the surgeon is as follows:
Incapacitated by reason of long-standing conjunctivitis of both eyes,
attended with partial opacity of the cornea.
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