Democratic Sentinel, Volume 3, Number 3, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 February 1879 — PRIVATE WM. RISES. [ARTICLE]

PRIVATE WM. RISES.

The dry details of Congressional routine are occasionally enlivened byan inspiration. Here is a recent sample: Private Wm. Hines, Company F, Eighteenth United States Infantry, while serving with his command in South Carolina, suffered the loss of a pair of trousers and a blanket by fire on or about Oct. 11, 1876. This act authorizes the Secretary of War to credit $8.65 to the soldier’s account, which now stands charged with the same, because a Board of Survey directed a gratuitous issue of a pair of trousers and. blanket, valued at $8.65, to replace the articles lost; which gratuitous issue, it appears, was not authorized by law. The Secretary of War, on the 25th of February, 1878, transmitted to the House of Representatives copies of the papers in this case, respectfully requesting the sanction of Congress for the issue of said clothing. The letter of the Secretary of War having been referred to the House Committee on Military Affairs, Mr. McCook, from said committee, submitted the following exhaustive report thereupon: The evidence is conclusive that Hines was a member of the company and regiment referred to, and that he lost his trousers and blanket by fire on or abort the 11th day of October, A. D. 1876, while serving with his command at Aiken, 8. 0.

The time, place and circumstances under which this loss occurred deserve much more than a mere passing notice, it 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 ballots for the men, or rather the electors, of their choice. The air was filled with the eloquence of orators both North and South, who spoke and labored for the sue less of their candidates. The propriety, not to say the constitutionality, of the presence of Federal troops in the Southern section of our beloved country was a question that entered laagely into the discussions of the day. Upon this subject there was then as now a 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 the bill for his relief; that the loss occurred by fire; that a Board of Survey was called upon them, and that, in the language of that tribunal, “they were damaged to their full value,” amounting to $8.65. Your committee also find that this board expressed 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 assume that Hines was lying down in Ins tent enjoying needed repose after a day’s labor in asserting and maintaining the sovereignty of the General Government It is true that those who seek to hold him responsible refer to the general and careless use of the pipe by our weary warriors; and others have attempted to account for the catastrophe by calling attention to the dangerous habit of soldiers carrying matches in their trousers’ pockets. Both of these theories, although plausible, are rejected by your committee; and, after patient investigation, they are of the opinion that the fire origlualcd iu oumo unaccountable manner. If, as is altogether probable, Hines was recumbent in his tent, the conclusion is almost irresistible that he ha d disrobed and "placed his blouse and trousers on the convenient and useful cracker-box; the progress of the flam s from the top of the tent, where they originated, to his soldierly couch, doubtless aroused him from his reverie or sleep; and, while the evidence is not entirely satisfactory on this point, your committee are of the opinion that Hines, in his zeal to fight the fire and save Government property, lost both trousers and blanket

With this view of the case your committee accept the finding of the Board of Survey and discharge him from responsibility. No specific recommendations appear in their report, but, through some misapprehension, a gratuitous issue of trousers and blanket was made to him. As events proved, this was a fatal mistake. His commanding officer, misconstruing a mere suggestion, and perhaps unwilling that Hines should appear before the people of Aiken trouserless, or concluding that the honor and dignity of the United States would be put in jeopardy by his appearing on du y in a pair damaged to their full value,'' made proper haste to rehabilitate him. From this Hines vanishes from the scene. How he disported himself in his new trousers nowhere appears. Unconsciously he had performed a great service to the army and the country by causing an authoritative decision on a matter that had been involved in doubt The question of a gratuitous issue of clothing is now settled, and, while Hines may be indifferent to the trouble he has given Captains, Colonels, Major Generals, a Secretary of War, and a Congressional committee, he can content himself with the reflection that he has 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 papers are voluminous, containing no less than seven distinct indorsements, commencing with a Captain and concluding with the Secretary of War, who, in a communication to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, asks for the relief of Hines; or, to use his own well-chosen words, “ R the sanction of Congress for the issue of said clothing t® said Hines.” It is in no va nglorious spirit that your committee state that whatever delay there has been in this matter the blame does not attach to them. The trouble with Hines began nearly eighteen months since, and the papers only reached the handa of your committee a 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 responsibility. They cannot, however, dismiss the subject without calling attention to the almost perfect system of checks and guards thrown around the issuing of Government property. The cuSiom i>ut, without it, Hines* to-day would be in undisputed possession of a pair of trousers and a blanket to which he had no legal title. As it is, the system has been vindicated, the right of the United States to Hines’ trousers fully established, and his personal and pecuniary responsibility determined. Under all the circumstances yeur committee recommend the passage of the bill.