Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1888-09-29
Soldiers Relief.

The article entitled "A Soldiers Re.
| lief Fund VS.. Soldiers Home" whicll
appeared Il few wseks ago in the Dead
| wood Times over the signature of W. r.
Snyder, advocating the policy Of pro.
viding for the needy ex-soldiers' of the
territory by means of relief fund in
lieu ola soldiers home, very naturally
awakened the ire Of the Hot Springs
Star, newspaper published at the place
most likely TO be designated for the
location Of the institution in case it
should be decided to establish the same.
1t would be unreasonable to expect the
Star to champion the movement pro-
posed by Maj. Snyder. contemplating
the abandonment Of the seemingly well
settled intention Of establishing sol
diers' home in the territory, when the
chances for locating it at the home of
the paper are so favorable; and yet, it
would seem that the Star. in its review
Of the article, which appeared in a
recent issue, might have adopted a wiser
course, and one which would have been
far more effective than the one followed,
which would seem to have for its object
the conviction Of the writer of disloyaltv,
and lack of sympathy for the soldier.
The Star is clearly at fault, and seeks
TO convey an impression which is erron-
eous, and wholly unwarranted by the
terms Of the articles in question, when
it insinuates an intention upon the part
of the writer to deprive the soldier Of
public support. 1t is not question as
to the establishment of soldiers home,
or nothing, as the Star would have its
readers believe; but il is question, as
plainly indicated by Mr.. Snyder, Of
soldiers relief fund against a soldiers
home, upon which question he favors
the former for cogent reasons, plainly
and forcibly stated, which the Star in
its Cursory comments would seem to
have wholly ignored. Had the Star
been disposed to treat the article fairly,
it would have recognized the fact,
which even the most careless and dis
Interested reader could not fail to
discern, that it was only a question as
to the best method Of rendering aid to
the soldier that was being considered
by Mr.. Snyder, with no intention ex-
pressed, or implied, Of his opposition to
soldiers home without other and in
his Judgment better provision being
made for the support of the brave heroes
who preserved us a nation.
That portion of the review which
refers TO the matter Of the establishment
of an insane asylum in the Black Hills
which was clearly and intelligently
presented by Mr.. Snyder, was only
calculated to excite our pity for the
writer, who can only be forgiven for his
extreme ignorance of the subject, on
the grounds Of his late arrival, and con-
sequcnt lack Of opportunity to familiar
iZe himself with the wants Of the terri
tory, If the Star will read carefully,
and without prejudice the article of Mr.
for enlargest facilities for taking care Of
the unfortunate class which is claimed
to have already cost the territory hun
dreds of thousands of dollars" and, if
not devoid Of all humane feeling, will
unite with the press Of the Hills in the
laudable effort TO make further pro-
visions in their behalf,
We heartily coincide with Mr.. Snyder
in his views, which are so ably present
ed in the article in question, both upon
the establishment of an insane asylum
in the Black Hills, and the method rec
ommened for the support of the ex-
soldiers of the territory by means Of a
territorial relief fund basing our ad-
vocacy of the former upon the absolute
necessity of its establishment by reason
of present inadequate facilities for the
care of the insane, and of the latter
upon the better and more satisfactory
policy Of relieving the wants Of the sol
dier at his home, which would materi
ally detract from the measure of
publicity, which would otherwise be
given to his dependent condition
There are many other reasons, which
could be adduced in favor Of this view
of the proposition, did space permit, but
as there is yet ample time for its further
discussion before the meeting of the
next legislature, we will, for .he present,
dismiss the subject, with view to
giving it further attention hereafter.
--~-S->-
At Lookout,
The Caroline tunnel has been pushed