Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-01-05
STATE PENSIONS.
How The Money is Paid Gu! by Agent E. C
Milliken.

Pension Agent Edwin c. Milliken. as
he is generally known. really pension
clerk to the Governor and Council. does
not make public report, but III a
conversation with him numerous inter
esting things We're learned concerning
his department which will give some
considerable information concerning
the work which is performed by him
which does so much good in the relief
of suffering among those entitled, by
reason of service performed in the
arnly-the destitute in the State.
The amount of money appropriated
for State pensions for the past two
years was ST 900 annually. This money
is spent at the discretion, to all in
tents and purposes, of the pension
clerk. Each applicant must first file
an application accompanied with a
statement of facts showing the finan-
Cial need of the applicant, his means
of support, the amount of United
States pension he receives, if any, and
such other facts as appear to be neces-
Sary for the guidance of Mr.. Milliken
in determining whether or not the ap-
plicants needs is sufficient to warrant
the payment of the money. Once hav-
ing had the pension granted, each year
be made, and thus the clerk has to
pass upon all the cases of restitution
reported to him each year.
Each year since Mr. Milliken has
held this office the number of applica-
lions have increased. In 1898 with an
appropriation of 500 he had 1882
applicants and issued ,303 certificates.
In 1892 he had 2,4S9 applicants and
issued 2211 certificates while In 1900 he
had 2,512 applicants and issued 2,269
certificates. 1t required considerable
close figuring, as will readily be seen,
for the Office to issue 15S more certiff-
Gates the last year than We're issued
the year before with the same amount
of money at its command.
The busiest season of the year is the
time at the close of the Legislative
session. The appropriation does not
become available until that time. the
quarter has nearly elapsed usually, the
beneficiaries are poor and in need of
their money, and il has always been
Mr.. Mlliken'S desire to get the money
to them rs quickly after it can be OBJ
tanned as possible. so with the aid of
an additional man he has each two
years put in days and nights of inceS-
SAINT work to get the money out with
All llt ldIlully IOSSlblC. oiIt VI ti4S
things that requires a good deal OF
time on the part of the pension clerk
is the necessity of looking into the
validity of the claims made. 1t is nc
uncommon thing for the clerk to find
that the application has been signed
by municipal officers without an ade-
quate knowledge of the facts of the
case and it is often necessary for him
TO take long journeys into different
parts of the State to look up matters
which come, to his knowledge and
which lead him to think that appl-
cants have misrepresented their stu
alton and are trying to get a portion
of the States pension money to which.
within the intent of the law, they are
not entitled.
During Mr. Millikens absence thus
enforced for the good of the State anC
Of worthy pensioners. the affairs Of the
office have been left with Messenge:
PurintOn. who was pension clerk be
fore him and who is thoroughly famil
lar with all its details
The amount of money paid out in Sta t.
napSiouS lN counties. during the