The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1905-03-31
SOLDIERS HOME
investigation and Report Of the
Board of Control

Al1VCstsSdtuO ANU BtcIDOFt OI tHc
Board Of Control
Hot Springs, S. D. March %, 1905.
The board Of commissioners of the
soldiers home has devoted five days
to a thorough investigation of vari-
Gus matters relating to the home and
its management. Due notice of the
investig alton was given to the men,
bers of the home and to the public
through the newspapers and otherwise,
and all persons having any real or
supposed grievance or grounds of
complaint against the management of
the home were asked to appear before
the board and state their complaints
and bring as many witnesses as they
desired, whether many or few.
Some complaints were made by cit
liens of Hot Springs, and one or two
officials of Fall River county. A Ste
%nographer was employed and all com
plants and witnesses made their com-
plants and gave their evidence under
OATH. AS it will be two or three weeks
before the stenographer will be able to
furnish a certified typewriter copy
Of the record taken during the inves-
tigation, the findings of the board re-
lating to them cannot be prepared I'M
til the next meeting of the board,
which will be held during the latter
part of April.
Two or three letters containing cri-
ticisms and complaints, sen to the
governor, were by him forwarded to
the board. These matters having been
fully considered, a report has been
prepared and sent to Governor ElrOd:
Many complaints made were trivial
and unimportant, and were not sup
ported by evidence, yet everything
presented received careful consider
alton. Members of the home who ap-
peared before the board were assured
that the filing of complaint or the CIV
ing of testimony should not result in
any prejudice against them on the
part of the command ant or the men,
bers of the board, or their comrades
in the home. The investigation was
public and open to all who desired to
come.
The board unanimously present the
following report concerning the man
agement of the home by its officers.
The members in any soldiers home
represent a great variety in temper
ment, disposition and habits. The
office of commandment is One that is
peculiarly trying and difficult to fill.
Rules and regulations are necessary
for it's successful government. Ordi-
narily they do not work serious hard
ship to its members. Law is a neces-
Sity in all governments, but 1t is a we'll
known saying that Law is a terror
only to evil-doers." A large major
ity of the members of the South DakO-
ia soldiers home are law abiding, or
derly and ~peaceable citizens: they re.
spect constituted authority, and gen
orally have no occasion for grievance.
Only a small percentage of the men,
bers ever BECOME ~disorderly and ere
ate confusion, and they represent
mainly those who are subjects of long
continued habits of intemperance.
Colonel T. NJ. Goddard, the COM
mandant has proved his deep interest
in the welfare of the home and it's
members. He is strict in discipline,
and sometimes it has been considered
severe, but it is intended for the good
of the offenders. and to protect the
rights and insure the comfort of the
larger body of members who are
always orderly. We are convinced
that there have been occasional in
stances of seeming harshness in en-
forcing the rules and regulations of
the home, they have not been SO in
tended, but the object has. been to
promote the highest good and comfort
of all the members, not simply the
punishment of the offender. We be-
lieve that it will best promote the in
terests of the soldiers home if he shall
continue to serve as its cOmmandant.
The members of the board desire TO
express their hearty appreciation of
the general improved appearance of
the home, the careful regard for it's
cleanliness, and the efforts made to
make it attractive and comfortable.
The board cannot too highly CO.
mend the very efficient services of the
matron, Mrs. Goddard. She is an
ideal m for the position that she
so successfully and satisfactorily oc-
cupies. She is held in the highest
esteem by all the members of the home,
who respect her for what she is and
appreciate her for what she does.
The hospital was never in so good a
condition or so successfully managed
as it has been under the care of sur
geOn w. S. Bentley. It's improved
condition and wise practical manage
ment are heartily commended.
Major L. d. Smith has served most
satisfactorily for several years as
adiutant of the home. 1t would be very
difficult, if not impossible to find
another one who would be so capable
and efficient.
Major w. H. Reed is rendering