The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1911-02-16
REPORT ON HOME
THE LEGISLATIVE PROBE COM
MiTTEE FINDS MATTERS
BLACK AND WHITE
HOUSE MAY Want PAPERS
The Documentary Evidence in Hands
of Committee May be Called
for in the Final Clean
Up of the Case

Pierre-The following is the on
illusions reached by the Home investi-
eating committee:
While the resolution providing for
the appointment of this committee
merely contemplated the finding OF
facts, the committee feel that a state
ment of their conclusions and recon-
mendations will not be out of place,
therefore, we submit the following:
]. That the action of the command
ant and board of commissioners OF the
Soldiers Home in suspending and dis
charging Frank Fassett, George Gov
ertSon, ]. G. Horner, DR.. H. S. Smith,
A. T. Gould and A. II. Lathrop was
harsh, vindictive. unjustitiable and not
in keeping with the spirit and purpose
of the institution and recommend that
these members be r~einstated to mem
bership in the Home.
2. That the action of the Com
mandant and Board Of Commissioners
in discharging ]. N. Pinkerton and
H. A. Foster was, in the opinion or
your committee, warranted by the
facts disclosed. However, We deem
these men sufficiently punished ana
recommend their Teadmission to the
Home.
3. Regarding the case of DeCamp
Wilmington, Edison Moore, Frederick
Beherns and Samuel Chapman, the
matter of their admission was By the
rules, left TO the discretion of the
Commandant. Your committee are OF
the opinion that the matter of passing
upon the qualification OF applicants as
to residence and property should he
left to some authority Of the county
in which the applicant has formerly
resided.
4. That the treatment accorded to
VIM. II. Anderson, while he was a
member Of the Home. was, consider
ing his condition. the best that could
be given and afforded no just cause
for complaint.
5. That the action of the Com
mandant in ~suspendlng James Parton
and James Randall was warranted un-
der existing rules providing for the
suspension of habitual drunkards, but,
In the opinion OF your committee,
some other method of treatment OF
u~nfortunates of this class should be
devised.
6. That no blame should in any
way attach TO any one connected with
the Home for the condition
ing the case of Reuben Smith.
Z. That the action of the Com
mandant in ordering ]. A. Glass to
vaCate the room occupied by him as
a barber shoD was without any Just
cause. and wholly unwarranted.
g.. That tie expenditure of the SIM
of $5,670.4S Of the money approp' lat
ed for the repairs to sewerage was
wholly unauthorized and ILLEGAL.
8. That the members of the Home
generally have been well treated, are
comic tably quarteced, are furnished
with sufficient quantity and variety
of wholesome food, and all necessary
medical attendance. and appear to be
satisfied with the Home.
10. That many Improvements faYe
been made to the buildings anu
grounds by the present Comman1ant,
and he is entitled to the highest
commentator for the ability he has
displayed. in the management of the
business affairs of the Home.
II. That, in the opinion OF your
committee, the unpleasant cond tins
which have heretofore existed at the
state soldiers. home are due largely
to a combination of circumstances,
some of which are as follows:
First-The present law requires that
the members OF the board Of commits
sioners and the commandant of the
Home shall be veterans OF the Civil
war. This requirement necessarily
n,,T.,D ,hn eolnot;1- 20 49,, Co, +ln.o
positions from a class which at pres.
ent, has an average age of ~ years,
and prevents the appointment OF
younger and more active men.
Second-The fact that the members
OF the Soldiers Home are considered
residents and voters of the city O
Hot Springs. and as such, are Kermit
ted to participate in all munIcipaI
elections has been. in the opinion OF
your committe, no small factor IN
bringing about conditions detrimental
to the welfare Of the Home.
Third-The present rule. promulgat-
ed by the board Of commissioner for
the government of the Home, provides.
for the suspension of members 70,
periods ranging from thirty to ninety
days, who frequently become public
charges On the city of Hot Springs
and upon Fall River county, gives tn
citizens of this neighborhood Just
cause for complaint.
Fourth-The local government O.
the home is military in its character
The executive being denominatod a
"Commandant," and all suhordirat-
positions, being designated by mill
tary titles. Military rules and tactic
prevail to a large extent. In the opin
ion of your committee, these cond,
tons are apt to lead TO the strict an
arbitrary enforcement of discipline
and what was intended for a Homr
for the comfort OF men in their de