Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-10-08
Gen. MeiGs' Double Salary.
CONTROLLER LAWRENCE AGAINST THE COURT OF

CONTROLLER LAWRENCE AGAINST THE COURT OF
CLAIMS.
1t was supposed that the question of whether
Gen. Meigs should be allowed compensation for
experimenting the construction OF the new Pen
sion Office building In addition to his salary as
retired army officer was set at rest by the decision
OF the Court Of Claims in his favor, notwithstand-
ing the opinion to the contrary by First Con-
rolier Lawrence, who held that Gen. Meigs
being retired officer, was only entitled TO
the salary due him by virtue OF that office,
and was not entitled TO the additional cOmpenSa-
ton OF so per day The Court OF Claims took the
ground that they We're two separate and distinct
offices. aud that Gen. Megs was clearly entitled
his additional salary, particularly as 1t was the
paid extra compensation. Under this Judgment of
last spring the salary due him a., to that time
amounting TO 81 30. was paid him. The case was
appealed to the supreme Court by the Attorney
General, but the appeal was subsequently, with
dra"n. There the matter rested until very re-
Gently, when Gen. Meigs presented q claim for his
salary from the first Of March to the 18TH OF Ari-
gust, amountl' g to 81 $50. The claim was dtsal-
lowed by the First Auditor. and his report on the
case was sustained by the First Controller, under
his former decision, taxing the ground that he
action Oh the Court OF Claims upon the matter deCl-
Geu upoh al lhe une does not set PRECEDENT
for him as would the decision OF the Supreme
Court. The result Is that Gen. Meigs' claim has
been dSaiiowed and lie Will be compelled to seek
the assistance OF the Court Of Claims again TO 90
the same thing every time he presents claim for
salary unless the action OF The Court Of Claims is
sustained by the Supreme Court.
E,sred to Death by the Electric Light.
THE CAPITOL DONE AND WALLS DEFAcgD BY
NFRIADs OF DEAD INSECTS.
Now that the appliances for electric lighting
have been removed from the Capitol, 1t has been
found that the building presents most untidy al-
pearance by reason OF the billions OF insects which
have been drawn thther by the briancy of the cleo
trc lights and whose skeletons are either hanging
on the walls, held fast by death grip. or are piled
UP IN heaps all over the recesses OF the roof To the
student of insect life this would prove grand field
Tor stuCy and discovery. There are myriadS Of May
flies beetles c:ickets, earwigs. dragon flies,
hOpper:. caddis flies, bees, waspS, ants, hornets
butterflies. moths cecadas, froghoppers, plant lce
water beetles whirli.igs shippers. horned-midgets
gna.s. musquitos. and every species OF nsectoria
known TO the surrounding swamps and woods OF
this District. 1t Is said that during the lighting OF
the dome by the Brush-Swan company the clerks
In the Capitol used to go up there OF nights and
watch the influx of Insects from every part OF the
compass, ana that they pervaded the air like clouds.
50 FAR the winds do not appear to have shaken the
dead insects loose and as there has been no heavy
rains for two Or three months, the Capitol pre-
sents moited appearance. and 1t will probably
qure the aid OF scrapers, broOmS and brushes
move these skeletons from the walls and the roof
ing.