Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-03-16
DUMONT'S VICTORY.
Inc supervising inspector-Generai Of
Steam Vessels "IIoIds the Fort.-

Gen. James l.. Dumont has achieved an ad-
dltional honor. He Is already the dean of the
| treasury department bureau officials and
boasts of one Of the longest titles in the govern
ment blue boOk-"supervising iIspector-gen-
eral of steam vcssels'--but not content with
these laurelS he has fought "A good fight and
has come out victorious against the janitor of
the Corcoran building and three able-bodied
tenants of the building. The general tells the
story with good deal Of relish and some sup
pressed indignation. When he was preparing
for the recent annual meo ting of the board ot
supervising inspectors he hired. as has been
his custom for Years. from tie trustees Of the
Corcoran estate. room in the Corcoran build
lhg second hoor. l5th-strcct front. for the
purposes of the board meetings.
GEN. DUMoSr IN POSSESSION.
At the time of final adjournment there was q
considerable amOun; of clerical work 10 be done
and II was thought best TO retain possession
of the room another month. Inasmuch as this
| would carry the rental over the inauguration
"eh: DuIaont. To prevent any criticism from
outside parties said that lac would paw for the,
extra rental himself so long az the work re-
! qulred II. A few days before the end of Febru-
AIRY the janitOr of the building called on th,
general at his Office and asked him when be
was going TO move his things from the room
The general told him he would move whtu the
proper time came. and the janitor went away
The next day Mcssrs. i. ana NJ. two tenants
called and asked the same question with the
same result +. then told the general that lac
had lease for that room and wanted It's use
The general replied that he did not know +. ina
the matter at all, having rented directly from
MI. Matthews, one OF the trustees. f. and NJ
clustered ALITrIE
and went to see Assistant Secretary MAYNARD
who replied TO the demands TO order Gen. Du-
mont out of the room that he mad no power in
the case, Gen. Dumont managed his own
renting. They went at once TO the building
and told the janltor to move Gen. Dumout
goods out of the room. as they had positive an
thOrity Cor so doing from Judge MAYNARD
When the general came the next morning he
found that the fan light had been broken in the
night. the door opened from the inside. and
the room stripped of all his goods. He hast
ened TO complain to Mr. Matthews. who. re-
turning with him. ordered the room TO be re-
stored to it, original condition. and intimated
very strongly to T.. NJ, and the janitor that
Gen. Damont was not 10 Ice disturbed After
he had gone. however. T. and NJ gave Gen
DUmont TO understand that thew would be in
possession of the room on inauguration day.
GEN. DUMoNT oN THE ALERT
Acting on this hint Gen. Dumont whose
blood was up, bought cot and took up his
quarters in the room 10 prevent intrusion and
eviction. He slept there at night and guarded
it during the day with has clerical force. Sew
eral times he detected signs of intended raids
and gave warning to ali designing boarslers
that they had better order an ambulance before
they made their charge.
THE MILITIA on GUARD.
On Sunday the generals family took turns in
guarding the room. while he entertained n
couple of friends at dinner at his home. They
were captain and private in the Pennsvlva-
MIA militia. and during the day complained of
the uncomfortable tile floor on Inch they
were quartered in one of the public buildings.
The general thereupOn invited them TO partake
of hls hospitality at the COrcoran building for
the night, and the two militiamen. reinforced
by another private, accompanied the general to
his garrison. They happened to have their
arms. guns and sword. in readiness for the NOR
rows march. and the room presented a very
martial appearance. when. at about O'Clock iu
the morning. the janitOr's colored man softly
opened the door and entered.
AN AsToNIsHED JANIToR
The four men were just dressing and the
darkey's eyes bulged and his face seemed 10
grow ashy a. he behed this formidable array
lie made quick excuse and hasty exit. tremb-
hing and fearful
The general kept the room during the day
and gave up the keys about a week ago. at the
expiration of his rental time. He feels -
though he had won new pair OF spurs.
President Harrison,s Pew