The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-09-11
INTELLIGENCE By TIE MAILS.


WASHINGTON, Sept. Z, io*o.
The Political Caarass--Ihe Ereear,re Commit
fee, of both Parties Mssic-7he Presidents
Distaste 70, 1.-THE Reasons uhy-Ihc Smithso-
MAN Institution, &c
The committee TO superintend the cause of de-
mocracy from the common centre, consists OF Sc
major H. S. Foote, Commissioner +. Burke, Assis-
tapt Postmaster Gen. Brown. and Major French,
President of the Northern lightning line. Messrs
Henly and Bowdon, of the House of Representa-
tives, are also active in ranking and stumpspeak-
ing Jackson Hall is the headquarters where po-
ltical thunder manufactured, printed, folded up,
directed, and sent OIL The committee to superln-
tend the cause of General Taylor, consists OF Sena
tor Mangum and Truman Smith, who is elected
10 the Senate; they the major domos-each
''the cock that is the trumpet OF the morn" They
move first, and give the notes OF preparation for
others TO follow. Their helpers are Messrs G. B.
Smith, White, of New York, ]. Brady, and Lin
coin. all of the House of Representatives. They
have room over Simms' wine store, where bust
ness is transacted. The teams are strong on both
sides. Each is confident OF victory. The good
fat offices abroad are already parcelled out. Who
Will get them, nous Uerrons Two short months
from to-day, what great times all over the Union
President is to be elected. The lightning wires
However, it would kill us to await the intelligence
by Cave Johnson's slow line.
For several years past, by order of the Presi-
dent, the Marine Band, In this city, has been re-
"a
White House. The design was, 1t is said, to soothe
the perurbred spirits of members OF Congress, and
to obtuno the sharp edge OF political sharpness and
ferocity, not only by furnishing sweet sounds tor
The ear, but by drawing together the ladies' OF the
metropolis, TO please and delight the eye that looked
with an appetite. Ii was kind of review day,
when the band discoursed. HIS Excellency would,
when the assemblage was Oh his premises, appear
upon the southern steps, and be pleased graciously
to listen, and allow himself to be looked at. Dur
ing this extremely dull recess the sound of music,
at the public expense, was truly refreshing IL dis
sIPated ennS, and gave us something to talk about
walked all the way TO the Presidents house, two
miles, to give HIM welcome blow on his return
home. Their pantaloons were as white as snow,
their coats like scarlet dye They were slipped
and shinered.'' They had no sooner arranged
themselves, with their trampets drums, flutes, ca-
Ilonets, triangles, bassoons, and trombones, and
just began to tune up, when Mr.. Polk despatched
to them his steward, with message not to play
that he wanted no more music, and that the season
was over. The band looked sadly at one another
for few seconds, and silently left the premises
much chagrined. They thought that the President
might have permitted them TO play but one tune
1t would have been their last for HIM, Gas the head
OF this republic,) In the open air; fo another
musical season comes. he will have gone to the
retirement OF private life But so it IS; there are
moments when even melody ceases to charm
when mellifiuous notes find no response in the
heart. The daughters of Zion, in old times,
changed their barps upon the wIllows;'' they
..eould not sing their songs In strange land"
The melancholy that broods over our President
the recent decapitatlons In his own expiring mo-
ments-the reflection that power Is stealing from
his hands-that some other will, after the fourth of
ceive twenty-five thousand dollars per annum.
may have influenced him, on this occasion, as it
has on Cthers, to Interpose the Executive Veto
The Smithsonian Institution Is progressing finely
under MIR. Cameron, the contractor. Only sixteen
months have elapsed since the corner. stone was
laid In the course OF eight more months, one
third OF the building will have been completed
The entire work could be finished at the end of
the fourth year, but the board designated the fifth,
that the interest on the principal amount bequeath
ed by Mr.. Smltbson may meet the stpulations of
the contract. The east wing, Quilt, as the re-
mainder of the edfice will be- OF Seneca stone,
lilac grey,,procured twenty.t three miles from WASH
lngtoD,) presents beautiful appearance, with Its
Norman windows, foliage and tracery, semiclrcu-
lar arches, and towers and battlements. The
basement is to be occupied by printing Office,
and turner shops, &c. In one of thelrooms is to be
erected the philoso phIcal machinery presented to
the Institution by DR.. Hare, of Philadelphia, and
worth $25, COO The chemical lecture room, above,
has groined ceiling, is heavily ribbed, and with
foliage at the intersections of the ribs The cois-
ter has pillars, heavily capped with every variety
OF foliage. The window glass, in the shape of the
dIa nond, flne crown, was imported from England.
the outer are bronzed, ornamented with old Nor
m IN hinges and shields. The west wing, which
is nearly completed, is highly ernamented, but Of
heavier and more substantial structure than the
east The most distinguishing feature is the apsis.
a.semicircnlar projection, with vaulted roof and
pillars, The main building will, of course, he
10, ated between the two wings 1t is probable
that, by the first OF November, the east wing will
be ready for lectures on chemistry
The Union says that Mr.. Polk will not leave
the city again until the 4th OF March. Mr. Richie
will have an opportunity then to return to
Richmond, the capital of the Old Dominion, the
theatre OF his former antics, as 1t was positively
said by democratic members of Congress-, and be-
heved by persons In this city now, that certain
gentleman IN Albany, in the event Of the election
OF General Cass, will be the official organ, he
having more eyes than one, which will enable him
10 see beyond the limits of his own State
FELIX.
WAsHrSGroS, Sept 8, 1s4S.
Payment of the First salment TO Merieo-The Faets