Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1911-07-20
REPORT ON HOME.
THE LEGISLATIVE PROBE CON-
MlTTEE 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

iSllG IN lOIiONihS 10 SAA'S W.
illusions reached by the Home investl-
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 Cow
ertson, j. G. Horner, DR.. III. S. Smith.
A. 7. Gould and A. II. Lathrop was
harsh, vindictive, unjustitable and not
in keeping with the spirit and purpose
OF the institution and recommend that
these members be reinstated to men,
bership in the Home.
2. That the action of the Com
mandant and Board of Commissioners
in discharging j. NJ Pinkerton and
H. a. Foster was, in the opinion OF
your committee. warranted by the
facts disclosed. However, we deem
these men sufficiently punished and
recommend their readmission 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
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.
4. That the treatment accorded to
VIM. II. Anderson, while he was
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 suspending James Carton
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 or
ilnfortunates 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 surround
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
cause, and wholly unwarranted.
8. That the expenditure of the SIM
Of s5,670sS OF the money appropriate
ed for the repairs to sewerage was
wholly unauthorized and Illegal
g. That the members OF the Home
generally have been well treated, are
comic tably CHARTERED, are furnished
with sufficient quantity and variety
medical attendance. and appear to be
satisfied with the Home.
10. That many Improvements have
been made to the buildings ana
grounds by the present Commandant
and be is entitled to the highest
commentator for the ability he has
displayed in the management of the
business affairs of the Home.
H. That, in the opinion OF your
committee, the unpleasant cond, tiona
which have heretofore existed at the
state soldiers home are due largely
to 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 commandaDt 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 ~ years
and prevents the appointment o.
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 mun1cipa
elections has been, in the opinion n
your committc. no small factor II
bringing about conditions detrimental
to the welfare of the Home.
Third-The present rule, promulgat
: ed by the board of commissioner fu'
the government OF the Home, provide:
for the suspension of members 10
periods ranging from thirty to ninet,
days, who frequently become publ;
charges on the city OF Hot Springs
and upon Fall River county, gives tn
citizens of this neighborhood jus
cause for complaint
FourthThe local government O
the home is military in its characte,
the executive being denominated a
Commandments" and =: s;:h,c-,;.::: Il a !
positions. being designated by mil,
tary titles. Military rules and tactic
: prevail to large extent. In the opin
ion of your committee, these ccndl
: tons are apt to lead to the strict an
+ arbitrary enforcement Of discipline
: and what was intended for HON
for the comfort OF men in their de
Mclaughlin The postoft'ce dep |
ment has established railTav ma
service on the "Canncn5a'F blanc