Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-03-26
STATE HOUSE.
CONTINUED from page g.

Persons desiring pensions must Apply
tn the municipal offlcers OF u" us on"
cities-selectmen OF towns anu iioso
-. Iao,nen of cities-and their en-
dorsements are needed before the state
will furnish aid or authorize the same
rims far this year Col. Milliken has
received 1906 applications ana at the
rate they are coming in since the new
,,o.,ds of municipal officers in the va
rious places took office, the total num-
her will exceed 1900 for the year. Last
year the number granted state ald was
95-1. in 1900 the number was 2513. while
in 1884 the number was only 14l. From
1865 when the first applications for
state aid were filed, the State has paid
for this purpose the grand total OF W.
525.U0G6S.
When the Civil War was ended the
various towns and cities asked for re-
endorsement for aid given to soldiers
families during the progress OF the war
and in this way a large amount OF
money was expended. In 1865 the sum
thus expended was $753,4S5. in 1866
if was s424 ,6S0.S2, while in 1867 it was
only s14.S4O.22. Then in 1868 the Legis-
lature appropriated $40, 900 for State aid
to soldiers and their families, and from
that year to the present time the
amount for each year has varied from
$4,000 to $4,000. The latter sum VIII
be expended this year.
Though the State of Maine now APP
propriates $4,000 annually for State
pensions, many applications have to be
pushed aside or answered with small
allowances because there isn't money
enough to go around. The pensioners
are growing older and more needy and
destitute each year and while there are
many deaths the applications increase
in such numbers that the StIte must
increase rather than decrease its APP
preparations for the needy soldiers and
sailors as the years go by.
The pension clerk probably hears
more pitiful stories of want and suffer-
ing than any man in the State. Not
day passes that he does not receive
letter from some corner of tie State
setting forth the restitution of some
person made dependent by the Civil
War.
Within few days letter came to
him telling of a woman over so years
Of age whose husband was killed in the
Mexican War and who gave five sons
To her country IN the Civil War She
was I'm almost destitute circumstances.
the small pension she received from the
national government not being enough
To provide for her wants. Another case
was that Of man who served his coun-
try well in the COS. but who has seemed
10 have hardship and trouble for his
travelling companions ever since. Al
most unable to labor himself. blindness
has become epidemic in his family. His
wife Is blind and several of his children
have totally lost their eyesight through
death Of the optic nerve. Such cases
as these are constantly coming under
the eye OF the pension officer and no
one knows better than Col. Milliken
what n comfort the States little pen
sion check is in more than 1000 homes
where want is never very far from the
door.
The oldest person now upon the list
of those receiving State aid is Mrs. Ad-
alinc Walker, who lives on Peaks Is
land. Portland harbor. In her applica-
tion it is set forth that she is in her
103d year. She receives aid as the de-
pendent mother of James Lorrett. and
the maximum sum allowed. IS, per
month is given her, as she has no other
means of support. The next oldest is
Bernard Stone of Biddeford. AS he re-
ceivcs a United States pension, his
State aid is not so much as is given
Mrs. Walker. There are numerous
recipients of aid between so and 80
years of age.
The law under which State pensions
are granted provides as follows: ANY
person who has served by enlistment
in the war of 1861, on the quota of
Maine, and any person not on the quota
of Maine, who has served in the army
or navy of the United States in said
war, and who was a resident of this
State at date of enlistment, and at time
of making application for pension shall
have been n resident of the State at
least five years, also any person who
has served by enlistment in the army
or navy of the United States in the war
with Spain on the quota of Maine, and
who has been disabled by disease.
wounds or other injuries contracted or
received in said service. and who is I'M
able from his own resources and the
United States pension to obtain a live
lihood for himself, and those dependent
upon him. shall be entitled to a pension
from the State of Maine, not exceeding
- per fnoHiil, PROVIDED, ne mas DeeH
honorably discharged from said service
No such pension to be paid by this
state TO persons residing in other
states. The widow. during her widow
hood. orphan children under IL years
OF age, orphan minor children over II
years of age who are partially or to-
tally disabled by accident or chronic
sickness. or the dependent child, parent
or sister of any soldier or seaman de-
ceased are entitled to the same pension
as is provided under similar conditions:
provided that not more than 50 per
month shall be paid one family"
IL Is further provided that the act
snail not be construed so as to include
any soldier or seaman, who was not a
resident of this State at the time of
entering the service. or who has not
since become a resident thereof.
1t is deemed quite probable that the
next Legislature will have to increase
the amount for State pensions beyond
its present limit of $4,000.
j. a. Chase of the State House force.
has received mammoth egg from H.
N To-, III :.