Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1906-09-05
A ISLANDER REFUTED.
JUDGE CHASE A FRIEND TO THE
SOLDIERS.
WHAT PENSION OFFICERS AND O. A. R.
MEN HAVE TO sAy--A STRONG LET
TER FROM cLERGyMES OF
BLUEHrII.


The persistent attempts OF the demo-
cratic party in Hancock cocnty, assisted
by misguided faction OF the republican
party, to besmirch the candidacy OF Judge
Chase have reached such.a point of maiig-
nifty that it Is about time TO call halt,
and make public the facts in a case that
has been warped for political purposes
only.
An undertaken in this city has been
active in circulating report that Judge
Chase, the republican candidate for judge
of probate was, while a member of Gov
ernor Hilis council, unfriendly to SOL
diers. and is exhibiting bill for the burial
expense OF a soldier which he says Judge
Chase refused to allow. The following Is
a copy of the law bearing on this subject.
Sec. es. Whenever any person who served
in the army. navy or marine corps OF the
United States during the war OF eighteen
hundred and sisty-one or during the war with
Spain. and was honorabiy discharged there
from. shall die, being At the time Of his death
q resident of this State and in destitute cir
cumstances, the state shall pay the necessary
expenses Of his burial. or whenever the widow
Of any person who served in the army. navy
" marine corps OF the United States during
the rebellion. and was honorahly discharged
therefrom shall die. being at the time of her
death n resident OF this state and being In
destitute circumstances and having no kim
bred living within this state and u sufficient
ability legally liable for her support, the state
shall pay the necessary expenses of her bur
ial; such expenses shall not exceed the sum Of
thirty-hye dollars in any case. and the burial
shall be In some cemetery not used exclusively
for the burial of the pauper dead.
Sec. eS. The municipal officers of the city
or town In which such deceased resided at the
time OF his death, shall pay the expenses of
his burial, and II he die in an unincerporated
place, the town charged with the support Of
panpers In such nnincorporated place, shall
tsasr nsn a N cit Ne s-aa
satisfactory proof by such town or city 10 the
governor and council Of the fact of such death
and payment, the governor shall authorize the
treasurer OF state to refund said town or city
the amount so paid, provided. however, that
the person whose burial expenses are paid In
accordance with the provisions Of this section
and the preceding section shall not be con-
stituted pSuper thereby; said proof shall
contain a certificate from the post commander
of the post OF the Grand Army OF the Repnb-
lie, located nearest the town or city which
paid said burial expenses, stating that such
person was an honorably discharged soldier
or sailor and In destitute circumstances, or
the widow of an honorably discharged soldier
sailor and In destitute circumstances. and
having no kindred OF sufficient ability, resi-
dent In this State legally liable for her burial
expenses.
The truth is that Judge Chase never saw
the bill referred to, and il was never pre-
scented to the council for payment. The
law relating to the burial expenses OF sol-
diers was passed in 1887, before Mr.. Chase
was ever a member OF any branch Of the
State government, and the blanks upon
made for the burial expenses OF a soldier
were prepared before he became q member
OF Governor Hills council.
The committee having this matter in
charge while Mr.. Chase was it's chairman
considered every soldier who left less
than $500 clear of all debts in destitute
circumstances, and every such soldier was
buried at the expense OF the State upon
application being made and the fact
SHOWN by the municipal officers OF the
town in which he resided. And in many
cases where the returns of the municipal
officers showed misfortune, sickness or q
family OF small children, the soldier was
buried at the States expense II his prop
erty exceeded $500 without any
further question. During the second term
of Judge Chase as member OF Gov. Hills
council, the law was amended so as 10 in
eiude the burial of soldiers and sailors
widows.
No comments are necessary to make on
the allegations that Judge Chase was I'M
friendly to soldiers, but simply print the
following letters from three old soldiers
who were all associated with him In his
conduct OF State affairs while he was
member OF the council. Col y. s. Purin-
ton, private secretary to Cows. Hin and
COBB, and for fifteen years messenger TO
tn governor and council; Gen. Augustus
b. Farnham, Acknowledgement OF Maine,
and iieutenant-coionel of the 18th Maine
regiment during the Civil war; Col. 4. c.
Miiliken, State pension agent end recently
commander of the department Of Maine,
q. A. X.
STATE OF MAINE.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT.
William T. Cobb, Gov.
n. 5. Purinton, Private Sec
AUGUSTA, MAY o. 1906.
Hos. Z. Z. CHASE, Bluehil. Maine.
Sly dear Judge; Your communication of
Nav ~ Is at the department this morning.
wei -emember the condition Of affairs as con
Quoted by the council committee or military
sfal1s before your administration Il wes an
annual dedCit, and sometimes thousands OF
dollars yearly. No careful Investigation or
inquiry was made ia relation to the necessity
q the state assnmins The burial expenses.
without asking any questions as to the duan-
cial ability Of the person claiming state aid,
until II became gfa5-game among under
takers as 90 which slscuiN have the next fat
Job Of bnrytng deceased veteran. 1t had
become condition Of afieirs bordering the
disgraeefni, on account OF the iooseness and
graft pfaeticed
since your service on the council, blanks
are forwarded and an Investigation instituted
ministration and yourself as chairman of the
committee on military affairs. ] know
whereof affirm, as am thoroughly CONVEX
SAINT with the matter when / had charge of
the State pension Office and as clerk for the
governor and council. and as a veteran q the
civil war / would like to certify TO your
patriotisnI and loyalty to the old veterans in
every consistent way.
regretted the unfair criticism that Was
made upon yourself IN a very few instances
IN the state. The character of your services
as member OF the governors council WAS an
endorsement Of your spirit aud efficiency for
the higher service you are being called upon
now for the County and State
Very Respectfully.
n. :. PURINToN,
Private Secretary.
STATE OF MAINE