The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-03-04

i Sui uipdhSSo, anu tlldI ldIe upHedNdl Judt
converted thirty-fve million people,
who ought to have been fraternal, into
ferocious Notwithstanding. But in
the days of peace the American people
recognize the supremacy of law--and
routine--and red tape. Failing to see
this fact, large number of our cotem-
poraries have made a radical mistake in
discussing the case of William Hines
breeches, This case has engrossed the
best intellectual efforts of our army
officers for several years-ever since 1876
but has not yet exhausted professional
resources. 1t is now before Congress and
has been for some time.
Before plunging into the innermost re-
cesses Of Hines pantaloons, it is incum-
bent upon us to say that the case has
been treated with unbecoming levity by
the American press generally. 1t has
been so handled as to cast a bifurcated
shadow OF ridicule upon the Government
Of our country, and to undermine or
weaken that resource for our institutions
that is essential to National harmony.
Now the case of Hines trousers, on
which so much hinges, is this: In 1876
private VIM. Hines, of Company T,
Eighteenth United States Infantry, was
stationed with his command at Aiken,
South Carolina, engaged with other
loyal members of said company in keep
ing order in that neighborhood. One
night while he was asleep his tent caught
fire, from no carelessncss or neglect of
his own, mind you, and his trousers were
damaged TO their full value Quota
ti0ns Officially
A "Board of Survey" was called by
the commanding officer and the full
value of Hines loss was estimated at
IS 65, The Department commander Or
dcrcd a gratuitous issue Of q pair of
breeches TO private Hines, and hence the
fuss commenced.
To understand fully the aspect the
case presented to the Department COM
mander who made the first blunder, it
will be seen that Hines, after the loss of
his pants, was in no condition TO hunt
the Ku-Klux of South Carolina, much
less to appear on dress parade or attend
the weekly ministrations of the regi-
mental Chaplain, and prompt action was
necessary. just here commenced a little
bit Of routine that ought to meet with
the approval of every conservative mind.
The accident was reported to the ser
geant, whoreported it TO his captain, who
reported it to his colonel, who reported
it to brigade headquarters, from whence
il was sent to the commander of the de-
partmcnt.
The latter ordered Board Of Survey
to estimate the damages, with the fore
going results. 1t took First Lieutenant
to preside rs President Of the Board and
a Second Lieutenant to act as Recorder
After this Board had sat on Hines trou.
sers, so to speak, it reported fsvorably tc
u new issue of pants to Hines gratuitous
ly Or at the expense Of the Government
A new pair of pants were thereupon is
sued to Hines. The return of the issue
was made in due course of army regula
tions from one officer to another until il
reached the Quartermaster General, Gen
eral Meigs. General Meigs disallowed
the issue of Hines pantaloons for want ol
approval of the Secretary of War, and al
this point the price of the breeches stooC
charged against the payroll of private
Hines. And just here new phase o.
the contest began between the arch-con
spirator Hines, who sought to immolatt
the fortunes of his country on pair o
army trousers, and the loyal hearts O
oak who guarded the National Treasury
Hines Captain, abetting his subordinate
wrote to the Adjutant General of tn,
United States Army asking permission
of the Secretary of War to credit Uine
with the cash value of the article. Gen
eral Townsend, Adjutant General, re
turned the letter through Department
Headquarters calling the Captains atten
tion to army regulations and general OF
ders, &C., &C., &c. While this oflicia
document was on its way through tn
gauntlet of pigeon-hoies General Ruge
ordered his Adjutant General to make al
endowment to the effect that there wa
something defective in the original BoarC
of Survey that sat on Hines breeches
When it reached the Post Adjutant h
indorsed it over to the Captain of Com
pany F and ordered him to report tn
facts.
Captain Lloyd, of Company F, make
an elaborate report to himself as Com
mandant of the Post, and recommend
that the papers be all sent to the Secre
tary of War "with view Of having tn
case brought before Congress" AS Com
mander of the Post he appends his owl
recommendation and makes another in
dorsement. The sixth Endorsement is b,
General Ruger, who for the time bein
held the destinies of the South (includ
ing Hines trousers), as it were. in tn
hollow of his hand. General r. recon
mends "that Congress be asked to pas
an act covering the case" The seventh
Endorsement is by Major General Han
cock, commanding the Department o
the Atlantic. He invites the attention
of General Townsend to the state of al