Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1911-02-16
REPORT ON HOME
THE LEGISLATIVE PROBE CON-
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 con-
illusions reached by the Home inve sti-
eating committees:
/ While the resolution providing for
the appointment of this committee
merely contemplated the finding of
facts, the committee feel that 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, j. c. Horner, DR.. Fl. S. Smith,
A T. Gould and A. H. Lathrop was
harsh, vindictive. unjustiliable and not
in keeping with the spirit and purpose
of the institution and recommend that
these members be reinstated to mem
bership in the Home.
g That the action of the Com
mandant and Board of Commissioners
| in discharging j. NJ. Pinkerton and
| II. A. Foster was, in the opinion or
| your committee, warranted by the
facts disclosed. However, we deem
these men sufficiently punished ana
recommend their readmission to the
| Home
3. Regarding the case of DeCamp
| Wilmington, Edison Moore, Frederick
BeheIns and Samuel Chapman. the
matter OF their admission was by the
rules, left TO the discretion of the
| Commandment. Your committee are of
the opinion that the matter of passing
upon the qualification OF applicants as
to residence and property should be
left to some authority of the county
in which the applicant has formerly
resided.
d. That the treatment accorded to
VIM. H. 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.
.. That the action Of the Com
mandant in suspending James Parton
and James Randall was warranted I'M
der existing rules providing for the
suspension OF habitual drunkards, but
in the opinion of your committee.
some other method of treatment of
unfortunates of this class should be
| devised
| g. That no blame should in any
way attach to any one connected with
the Home for the condition surrounu-
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 shop was without any Just
canse, and wholly unwaryanted.
rl,@ - l.2,,
of $5,670.4S of the money appropriat-
ed for the repairs to sewerage was
wholly unauthorized and ILLEGAL
8. That the members of the Home
generally have been we'll treat cd, are
comic tably CHARTERED. 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 Fave
been made to the buildings ana
grounds by the present Commandant.
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 conditions
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 CT commits
sioners and the commandant of the
Home shall be veterans OF the Civil
war. This requirement necessarily
confines the selection of men for these
positions from a class which at pres
ent, has an average age Of 72 years,
and prevents the appointment or
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 permit
ted to Participate in all municipal
elections has been, in the opinion nj
your committe, no small factor In
bringing about conditions detrimental
TO the welfare of the Home.
Third-The present rule. pronulgat-
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 publ G
charges on the city of Hot Springs.
and upon Fail River county, gives TIL
citizens of this neighborhood just
cause for complaint.
Fourth-The local government OF
the home is military in it's character.
the executive being denominated
"Commandant. and all subordinate
positions, being designated by mill
tary titles. Military rules and tactic.
prevail t. large extent In the opin
ion of your committee. these cond,
lions are apt to lead to the strict an
| arbitrary enforcement of discipline
and what was intended for Homo
/ for the comfort OF men in their de
McLanghlin-The postoft1ce dep,,t
| mnnf has established. 20 Il ,,,....