Sturgis advertiser. (Sturgis, Dakota [S.D.]) 1887-1???, 1890-11-27
HOT SPRINGS SOLDIERS HOME.

Il II
old soldiers living in this county the fol-
lowing letter, which appeared in the
Deadwood Pioneer one day last week, is
reproduced. After reading the letter a
better idea Of the home can be obtained
by those interested in the subject:
HoT SPRINGS, November z.
Editor Pioneer:
Some weeks ago you published an ar
ticle in your paper, which has been cop
led into other papers of the state, criti-
cising the rules Of admission to the Sol
diers' Home. No doubt you write as
you felt upon the subject, and the article
clearly demonstrates that your sympa-
thy is entirely with the old soldier, which
I most cordially approve and thank you
for. But word of explanation will
doubtless clear away the objections you
assign.
The board of commissioners took the
precaution to obtain the applications for
admission in use at the Illinois, Iowa,
Nebraska, Minnesota and Wisconsin
homes before they attempted to draw an
application. Each was carefully studied
and discussed, and the South Dakota APP
plication is cuttings from the states
above mentioned. 1t is nearer like the
k1o1 ost og L ILL.,
and yet the board believes it published
better form of application than either of
the states mentioned have
A resolution was adopted relative to
pensions that in all cases the pensioner
who has friends or relatives depending
on him, shall designate to whom the
pension money shall be sent and the
commandment of the home is required
to send it at once after receiving it.
The board provides that such little sum
that the pensioner may need shall be
given him and the balance sent as above.
The experience of the homes in other
states is that this is the only sure way
to be certain that the money goes to
those who need it. In cases where the
pensioner has no dependents the state
becomes the legatee. The reason for
this decision is, the state feeds, cloths,
nurses when sick, and supplies every
xrup4 oF bo oro, ~
tobacco to those who use it, The SOL
der has no need of more than ''pin mon
ey" and yet the experience of the states
which have had homes for years is if the
pension is left with the man it is fool
ishly spent and wasted; not only that,
but often is a source of trouble among
the inmates because all are not pension
ers. II the state supplies all the wants
OF the man it IS Fair to the taxpayer that
his children or dependents shall have his
pension, or part of it, and in cases where
there are no dependents, the state.
The provision requiring an agreement
to do such work as may be required is
for the purpose of saving the expense of
hiring help to sweep, scrub and dust the
rooms which the men occupy. This
work will be done by detail each day.
Any work done by inmates outside of
the above mentioned tasks will be paid
for by the board according to schedule
adopted. Cooks, teamsters, gardeners,
ETC., will eachtbe paid fair remunera-
ton for his labor.
In fact the board have made a careful
study of the reports of other homes and
in all things are following precedents
that have been established after exper-
fence has been had. Not single rule
or requirement has been adopted by the
board for the government or discipline
of the home at Hot Springs that has not
| been tested in one or more of the homes
of other states. The board desires to do
what is best foE the soldiers and the
state. The widest possible liberty will
be accorded and yet discipline and de-
corum must be preserved. The want Or
comfort of the soldier will be the con
slant study of the officers of the home,
and none need fear that they will not be
given all that the name implies, home.
The list Of questions may be longer
than is necessary. The fact that a SOL
der may have property in his own right
is not bar to his entering the home if
he is unable to earn a living. A system
of furloughing will be practiced SO th;t
an inmate can go out and return at his
pleasure, or be discharged at his pleas
ure without prejudice to his entering
again if he desires.
The old soldiers make a mistake in
supposing that the home is not all it
promised to be. 1t is jewel of build
ing, furnished with all the modern i'm
provements, and will welcome all who
may come, but the board desires that
their work and preparations shall be in
line with that of other states who have
had years of experience. We invite the
old soldiers to come. We have clothing,
food, medicine and good beds for them.
Do not condemn the home till you know
more about it, for the board are big