The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1879-02-27
PRIVATE WIN. HINES.

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inspiration. Here is recent sample:
Private VIM. Hines, Company F,
Eighteenth United States Infantry,
while serving with his command in
South Carolina, suffered the loss of
pair of trousers and blanket by fire on
or about Oct IL, 1876. This act au-
thorizes the Secretary of War to credit
$3.50 to the soldiers account, which
now stands charged with the same, be-
cause a Board of Survey directed a
gratuitous issue of a pair of trousers
and blanket, valued at $3.50, to replace
the articles lost; which gratuitous issue,
it appears, was not authorized by law.
The Secretary of War, on the Goth of
February, 1878, transmitted to the
House of Representatives copies of the
papers in this case, respectfully request
ing the sanction of Congress for the issue
of said clothing. The letter of the Secre-
tary of War having been referred to the
House Committee on Military Affairs,
Mr.. McCook, from said committee, sub
mitted the following exhaustive report
thereupon:
The evidence is conclusive that Hines was
member of the company and regiment referred
to-, and that he lost his trousers and blanket by
fire on or about the 18th day of October, A. D.
1876 while serving with his command at Aiken
S. G.
The time, place and circumstances under
which this loss occurred deserve much more
than mere passing notice 1t was the year of
the Presidential election, and but one brief
month prior to the time when the freemen of
the republic were called upon to cast their bal
lots for the men, rather the electors, of their
choice. The air was filed with the eloquence
of orators both North and South, who spoke
and labOred for the success of their candidates
The propriety, not to say the constitutionality
OF the presence OF Federal troops In the South
ern section of our beloved country was ques-
ton that entered largely into the discussions of
the day. Upon this subject there was then as
now great difference of opinion; and without
committing themselves upon this disputed
point your committee find unanimously that
Hines was there by order of the legally consti-
tuted authorities; that he wore the usual and
ordinary uniform of the private soldier; that
he lost his trousers and blanket as set forth in
Ihe bill for his relief; that the loss occurred by
fire; that Board of Survey was called upon
them, and that, in the language of that tribunal,
Z" they were damaged to their full value"
amounting to 1865
Your committee also find that this board ex-
pressed the opinion that the fire was accidental;
that it originated at the top Of the tent" and
" that no one was to blame There is no direct
testimony upon this point but it is fair to as,
sumo that Hines was lying down in his tent en-
joying needed repose after days labor IN as
sorting and maintaining the sovereignty OF tAas,
: General Government 1t is true that those Wbr
seek to hold him responsible refer to f3aer
eral and careless use of the pipe, by our en
warriors; and others have attemRtedf wear
for the catastrophe by calling ID" % accoun
7 dangerous habit of soldiers ear" ,ntion to tn,
their trousers pockets Be- -ying matches il
although plausible. are ID of these theories
rnif4aa. and after ySaT' elected w VOTr com
of the opinion, tths' .entinvestgation, they art
q upsep0lntahla the fire originated in some
:, probable y manner. If, as is altogether
= lcancIysalr Ines was recumbent:in his tent. tht
{ i.abaS "A is almost irresistible that he had dis
:, ! az and placed his blouse and trousers On The
y ,hvenient and useful cracker-box; the progress
!" OF the flames from the top of the tent, where
to they originated, to his soldierly couch, doubt
r. less aroused him from his reverie or sleep; and
u while the evidence is not entirely satisfactory
Is o. this point, your committee are of the opinion
THAI Hines, in his zeal to fight the fire and save
v Cove, nment property, lost both trousers anG
blanket st .... -
n w,tb \. is view of the case your committee
Y acranf +Fs A., ding of the Board of Survey and
5isoborno b;tas ON responsibility. NospecifC
7 recommendation >opear IN tnelr report, put
through sehas hisap. 1Ret was made to hiTn
: issue Of trousers and blaa fatal mistake His
AS evenss Proved this wasN strung mere
:. suggestion, and perhaps tnwilln,, of Aiken
8 should appear before the people nor and
: trouserless, or concluding that the h. mt in
I dignity of the United States would be y ,ir
e Jeopardy by his appearing on du'y in D.
haste to rehabilitate him.
From this Hines vanishes from the scene
How ne dlsported himself in his new trousers
5 nowhere appears. Unconsciously he had per-
formed a great service to the army and the
country by causing an authoritative decision
l on matter that had been involved in donbt
7 The question of a gratuitous issue of clothing
| IS now settled, and, while Hines may be indif-
+ ferent to the trouble he has given Captains.
Colonies, Major Generals, a Secretary OF War,
and Congressional committee, he can content
>, hlmseH With the reflection that he las neither
worn nor lost his trousers in vain
In conclusion, your committee desire to call
attention to the fact that they have devoted
much time and thought to this case The pa
pefs are voluminous, containing no less than
seven distinct Endorsements, commencing with
aCaptain and concluding with the Secretary of
War, who, IN communication to the Speaker
Of }t, the House OF Representatives, asks for the
relief OF Hines; or, to use his own well-chosen
words, Requests the sanction of Congress for
the issue of said clothing to said Hines"
7 1t is In no vanglorious spirit that your COM
mittee state that whatever delay there has been
in this matter the blame does not attach to
them. et.t
The trouble with Hines began nearly eighteen
months SINCE and the papers only reached the
hands of your committee few days ago; and,
placing the final determination of the question
with the representatives OF the people, they feel
that they are discharged from further RESPONSE
bility. They cannot, however, dismiss the sub
ject without calling attention to the almost per
feet system of checks and guards thrown around
the issuing Of Government property. The
thoughtless may call it "red tape" or circumlo
cution, but, without it, Hines to-day would be
in undisputed possession of a pair of trousers
and blanket to which he had no legal title
AS 1t is, the system has been indicated, the
right of the United States to Hines' trousers
fully established and his personal and peouni-
airy responsibility determined
Under all the circumstances your committee
recommend the passage of the bill
Two MINERS of Humboldt Wells, New,
being drunk and jovial, went to the