Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-01-08

in detail, or a general estimate in
any instance where it is i'm
practicable to give specific items,
subdivided under appropriate head
!ngs, of such sums as may be DEEM
ed necessary to defray the several
charges and expenses of the public
service FOR the ensuing biennial
fiscal period. This estimate shall
also include such sums as may be
deemed necessary for charitable
and benevolent institutions, and for
such other purposes for which public
money may be properly appropri-
ated. 1t shall be accompanied by a
statement showing the total valua-.
ton of taxable property in the state
as compiled by the board of state
assessors and the rate of taxation
necessary to. produce approximately
the revenue \required to meet such
appropriations. 1t shall also show
the estimated income of the state
for said biennial fiscal period from
sources other than direct taxation.
Pensions
The governor and council have
the execution of the state pension
law, under which approximately
s150,000 per year is distributed to
veterans of the Civil War and the
Spanish War; and their dependents;
also the law providing for pensions
for the needy blind which was en-
acted a few years ago, under which
over five hundred blind persons are
now receiving very substantial aid,
the yearly appropriation having
been increased from $4,000 in 1915
to $4,000 in 1924. They are
authorized to provide for the train
ing and other expenses Of blind
children in institutions outside OFF
the state.
Various claims of cities, towns
and plantations are examined and
allowed under their direction, such
as claims for support Of dependent
persons having no settlement with
in the state, for which purpose alone
the funds now amount to $125,000
per year.
In addition to all these specific
duties, there are hundreds OF mat
ters coming up that would naturally
appear in the administration of a
big business for which no specific
legal provision could be made.
Under the present day system, the
Executive Department has such a
multitude of activities, that no
longer can a governor be. part
time official The state has come to
that opinion and has provided him
with a home at the capital.
Information Concerning Pensions
For Soldiers and Their Dependents
The law provides that pensions
may be allowed to veterans of the
Civil War. Spanish War and Philip
pine Insurrection, disabled In the
service and unable from their. own
(,OVQrnmenC
pension, to procure a livelihood for
themselves and those dependent up
on them. In order to be eligible to
receive this pension, the veteran
must have served on the quota oil
Maine, or must have been resi-
dent of Maine ut the time of his en-
listment and for at least five years
prior to the time of making applica-
ton. The law also provides for PEN
sions for widows and other de-
pendents of such veterans under
similar conditions.
The original law. providing for
pensions for Civil War veterans and
their dependents. was passed in
1856. 1t was amended in 1899 to in
Guide veterans of the Spanish War
and in 1913 to include veterans of
the Philippine Insurrection; in both
cases to include also the de-
pendents of such veterans.
During the fiscal year ending June
80. 1924, 2145 pensions We're allowed,
as follows:
Civil War
419 soldiers; 1916 widows; 81
sons. daughters and other de-
pendents.
Spanish War and Philippine
Insurrection
rs soldiers; 81 widows; Is chill
dren and other dependents.
CAS- shown in the article on the
Executive Department. the Pension
Office is not a Department in itself;
1t is under the direction of the Gov
ernor and Council)