Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1905-03-31
SOLDIERS HOME INVESTIGATION.
The Board of Commissioners Investigate
Charges Against the management.
Hot SPRINGS, S. d., March %,

Charges Against the management
Hot SPRINGS, S. d., March %, 'O5.
The Board of Commissioners of the
Soldiers Home has devoted five days
to a thorough investigation of various
matters relating to the Home and it's
management. Due notice of the inves-
tigation was given to the members of
the Home and to the public through
the newspapers aud 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 citi-
zens of Hot Springs and one or two
officials of Fall River county. A ste
nographer was employed and all com
plainants and witnesses made their
complaints and gave their evidence un
der oath. AS it will be two or three
weeks before the stenographer will be
able to furnish certified typewriter
copy of the record taken during the
investigation, the findings of the Board
relAtng to them cannot he prepared
until the next meeting of the Board.
which will be held during the latter
part of April.
Two or three letters containing criti-
cisms and complaints, sent to the gov
ernor we're by him forwarded to the
Board These matters having been
fully considered, a report has been pre-
pared amp sent to Governor Elrod.
Many complaints made were trivial
aud unimportant, and We're not sup
presented received careful considera-
ton. Members of the Home who ap-
peared before the Board were assured
that the filing of complaint or the givin g
of testimony should not result in any
prejudice against them ON the part of
the commandant or the members OF the
Board, OF 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 great variety in temper
ment, disposition and habits. The
office of commandant is one that is pc.
culiarly trying aud difficult to fill
Rules and regulations are necessary
for It's successful government. Ordin
ship to it's members. Law is a necessi
ty in al governments, but it is Il vel
known saying that Law is IA terro
only to evil doers." A large majorit.
of the members of the South Dahot
Soldiers Home are law abiding, order
ly and peaceable citizens, they recpec
constituted authority, and generals
haye no occasion for grievance. Onl
a small percentage OF the member
ever become disorderly and Great
confusion, and they represent mainl.
those who are subjects of long contin
ued habits of intemperance.
Col. T. NJ. Goddard, the commandan
has proved his deep interest in tn
welfare of the Home and its members
He is strict in discipline and som
times it has been considered severe, ,bu
it is intended for the good of the o
tenders, and to protect the rights an
insure the comfort of the larger bod
= of members who are always orderl
We are convinced that there have bee
occasional instances of seemingl
or strictness in enforcing the rules al
=" 90 regulations of the Home they have IL
v. been SO Intended, but the object b
been to promote the highest good al