Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-06-09
STATE HOUSE.
Receipts Of Applications for
State Pensions Very Large.
The Signal Corps Reported Filled
Application Made for New Companies.
Examinations Assignments by the Railroad
Commissioners Other Capitol Items.

This promises to eclipse all former
years in the way OF applications for
State aid by the old soldiers The APP
plications that have thus far arrived at
the Office OF Col. f.. &. Milliken, the
State pension agent, are within a small
number Of being as many as the entire
applications of the year 1898, and this
year is not yet half gone.
Of course the first six months Of the
year is the time when the applications
come in the thickest, but they continue
throughout the year though IN smaller
numbers at the last Of the time.
How do the number of applicants
compare with former years." was the
question asked of Colonel Milliken
Thursday morning.
There are many more and | look for
one of the greatest years on record
The number thus far received in 22l8
While the whole number for last year
was 22SS. Up to this time, last year. |
had received about 40 less than at the
present time this year.
But will not the Spanish war claims
make up for the difference" asked the
Journal.
Possible but | should judge not
There are quite a number of the Spanish
war claims but they will hardly make
up the increase. No, there are many
new applications this year. and they
are for the greater number, of a very
worthy nature too.
Il am afraid that for a few years
to come there will be an increase in the
demands for State aid to soldiers and
~, re,
tinue many years as the ranks are be-
ing thinned out by death. and gradual
Iy after the maximum number is
reached, the demand on this depart
ment will become less and less.
Here are few of the new claims
of which you can judge for yourself in
regard to their worthiness,' he said
picking up a bundle of them and run
ming them over. Here is a man who
served in the same regiment with me.
who has never applied for a United
States pension as he has always been
able to care for himself | visited him.
last week, ana l found him unable to
DO any more work on account of asthma
which has placed him in a very bad
condition Here is another from a vet
eran down east who is in hard luck
He has 4 family of three children, two
sons and a daughter. ana all are sick
The daughter has been bedridden for
two years. The sons are both invalids
and cannot do any work. He is in poor
health and yet he has to support that
family on a little farm. lie draws
pension of IS.
This man in central Maine has
been attacked with paralysis and has
family dependent upon him. He car
RES a gunshOt wound in the side that
has always bothered him and made him
in i'll health. and yet he has had to sup
port family all the while. He draws
a pension of IS a month.
But how do you discriminate and
know where 10 stop paying out the
money appropriated for YOU
We have to figure down to the min
utest point ana give each man what
we think is due him. considering our
appropriation. 1t is a case of Scrlmp-
ing to do it, but it has to be done.
Every man who is entitled under the
law to receive aid, receives it in some
way to greater or to a less extent.
but we try to care for all who are de-
serving and eligible"