The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1910-12-15
CRISIS SCATHES
SOLDIERS HOME
AT HOT SPRINGS
Members of Managing Board
Are drilled In Caustic Mes
sage Demanding
Investigation.

Hot Springs, 6. D., Dec. 12-Differ-
ences long existing between the board
OF managers of the State Soldiers
home at this place. Including the com
mandant on the one side and on the
other the inmates OF the home. chatting
under what they term tyrannical rules
n restrictions, came to an open erup-
ton yesterday with the flames Of re-
bellion at white heat with many of
the leading citizens OF Hot Springs
taking sides with the veterans in an
effort to get past the board and catch
the ear of Governor Wesley who has
the appointing power In the formation
of the board.
Oppressive, unjust, cruel and even
"diabolical,' are some of the terms
used In attempting to express the feel
ing of citizens toward the management
of the home, which they declare has
ceased to be a home and corresponds
more nearly to a military prison, the
dead lines" working custer or other
dire penalty to those comrades who
come under the dtspleasure of the COM
who in turn receives his
rules of government largely from the
soldiers HON board.
Old Trouble Revives.
The trouble is of long standing,
though it has broken out afresh re-
GENTLY because OF cases OIL peDall2lnS
which have come to the attention OF
the people of Hot Springs. At a meeting
OF citizens yesterday where the grew
ances were stated by some of the vet
Grams who are suffering the displeas-
ure of the board and commandant for
alleged attractions Of the rules admin
istered, as they declare, under the
by practically every city and
county official was prepared and for
warded to Governor Vessey demanding
an immediate investigation and fur
thermore a radical revision of the
rules governing the home so that it
may be what its name implies.
While the nanes attached to the
message were as above stated, a null
titude of the best citizens of the place
were back of the movement. and it is
proposed that nee and for all the
status Of veterans In the home shah be
fixed on such conditions that they may
realize that they are in a home provid-
ed by a patriotic people rather thar for
the purpose of ~encroaching upon their
simple personal liberties. Never has the
sentiment of the city been SO wrought
up over any matter as in the present
case, and there promises to be no back
step until the governor recognizes the
demand and institutes a more thor
ough investigation than has ever been
had.
Colonel Arthur Linn, of Canton, for
mer c~ommandant of the Home, and
now a member of the board, as well as
Colonel A. b. Nelson, OF Pierre, chair
man of the board. come in for bitter
castigation In the charges which are
made to the governor.
The telegram to Governor yessey is
as follows:
~ .s,,.a Q relic of hah a risnn. nnw ex-
lists In the management of the state sol
diers' home. Although having fought and
suffered for their country, worthy vet
Grams. destitute and physically incapacf.
tated. for frivolous or fancied offenses are
turned out In winters cold, without food
or shelter, while the tyrant. Geddes, and
chortel in glee over the sufferings of these
poor men. and turn deaf ears from their
~pleadings and our demands. Western
what the state built for a home is now a
hastile. A mighty and just protest goes
up from all good citizens; n immediate
relief from such abominable conditions Is
know the conditions. hut stand powerless:
you, as governor, now know them: YOU
can and should alter them immediately. or
you yourself become a party to the out
rage.
Lawrence H. Hedrick. City Attorney,
w. S. Bentley, Mayor.
J. l.. Marcoux, Councilman and Coroner.
2. ]. Glattly, Councilman Second Ward.
and State Senator.
). e. Wilson, States Attorney.
Hugh Houghton, Chairman County Board.
Arthur S. Ferreii. Member County Board.
] B. Herman, County Auditor.
Il. G. Osnlotherly, Justice OF the Peace.
ghas. y Sage. County Treasurer.
A.. r. Peterson, Councilman Fourth Ward
). G.. Evans, Councilman Third Ward.
Charles Stewart. City Treasurer.
:. p. Walker. President Commercial Club.