Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-03-05
PENSIONERS ARE KICKING.
0sat Like the Prospects d Being Paid
From Boslen.

Thursday; being March 4. was pen.
sion day, and rs usual. there were a
number Of pensioners Iii the city. who
came in to get their checks cashed, and
do some trading. The postoflice was
the scene of gathering Of many an
old veteran, dependent upon the money
which loyalty to his country In years
gone by. today. Is returned by the
mother country.
Year after year have the same men
gathered: the same old veterans. Now.
there is something of specially common
interest to engage their attention. and
everyone is talking about the pro-
posed removal Of the pension agency
in this city to Boston. That Is. the
consolidation of that department., with
the Boston office.
How does II set?'' was asked one OF
the veterans. as he stood on the one
leg left for him to stand on. supported
by crutches.
How does it set?" returned he. with.
out needing any explanation as to
what was referred to. Its going to
be a COMPOUNDED nuisance. There will
be much annoyance and Inconvenience
to US. directly and indirectly in having
to wait two weeks or more. as we be-
lieve we will. for the checks to pass
through the mill at Boston. Long
have our customers, and those to
whom We are customers ourselves.
counted on the fourth Of the month OF
the pension payments, as pay day all
around. The irregular delay which we
think cannot but result from the pro-
posed change. will mix us all up"
Capt. Black. the pension agent, Is
still as adverse as ever to any changes.
Il believe there is no advantage in II
for anyone. and ! am hopeful for the
good of all concerned. and especially
for the many needy pensioners. that
the order. which has passed. will he
revoked by President Mckinley. He
certainly will have the right to do so.
AS understand the situation, the Sec
rotary of the interior was misinfOrmed
when he was told that by the reduc-
ton of the Is present pension offices to
3. there would be great saving in the
running expenses. l think any such
saving would not follow. For in
stance. take the case of the Augusta
Office. 1t will cost nearly as much to
have the payments made from Boston
as from here. The work has to be
done, and it's going to take just as
many to do it there as here.
IF the incoming President finds that
the change was brought about by mis-
understanding of the condition of
things. l think he win feel 1t his duty
to fix it right.
THE only agency in the South. To-
Gated at Knoxville, l understand. is
included in this change. and the re-
moval of this is of course met with OPP
position.
What would be the size of the BUSH
ness of the consolidated Office at Bcs-
ton. in case the present plans are car
ried out twas asked.
There would be. l imagine. in the
neighborhood of $l4,OO0.OO0 paid out an
nually. The Boston Office now pays CT
sS,OOO.OOO, and the Augusta and Cen
cord, n. H.. offices about $4,000, 900
apiece The number of pensioners
would be somewhere near $4,000. The
Augusta office now has about 10000 on
it's lists"
In187O there were IS pension agencies.
This was cut down to Is in 1882. In
this way. of COURSE very decided
consolidation resulted.
Whatever course is taken. the new
system will not go into effect before
the September payment.