The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1856-02-28

VI Csrrsspondeecs af the Pioneer aai Democrat,


special csussposdeses At the Pioneer aaa Dsnseni,
wAsHixoroS, Feb. 1856.
Long before this reaches St. Paul you will
have heard the news that speaker has been
elected. This was accomplished on Saturday
evening last, between six and seven o'clock,
amid much confusion and great crowd Of
people, who manifested strong feeling in favor
Of the election ofa Speaker.
Mr. BANKS is very gentlemanly looking
man, about forty years ofage; he is Of medium
size, with profusion Of dark grey hair. Not
withstanding his politics, which are detestable
no one can doubt his ability to Gil the Office Of
speaker. lie is strong partizan and will do
all in his power to sustain his party.
The election Of Speaker has diffused joy and
gladness among large portion OF the people Of
Washington, who are dependent upon the pay
Of the members. The hotel keepers have
brighter look, and the darkie" drivers broad.
or grin upon their African plies but. although
there has been great want VI money among
certain class here, there are Others who have
been most proiuse in their expenditures in the
the way Of entertainments and parties Mr..
GEORGE PARSER, millionaire of Washington,
gave party, last Thursday evening, which for
beauty. talent, and no,ables OF this city, there
assembled was probably never excelled in
this District. The house is very large one,
with emusic room about forty feet long, hung
around with beautiful and valuable paintings !;
the carpet was taken up and this room used as
ball room, where dancing was kept up to the
music Of large band Of musicians placed In
the conservatory opening out from the back
windows. The dresses of the ladies were mag
nifcent beyond description, and wish, for the
satisfaction Of some Of your fair readers, was
able to describe few OF them minstely.
One lady's dress and ornaments were valued at
five thousand dollars, and there were others that
pio6ably GTGeeieG ihis am6dIii. '''' 80
Pink coral cut in imitation oflowcrs, is the
fashionable jewelry. aud a set is said to cost
from four to five hundred dollars. The supper
at this party was got up at an expense OF two
thousand dollars, and every thing that the Gun
ming hand Of confectioner could manufacture
with sugar as base, adorned the table not
emitting the substantials, oysters, terrapin, and
all kind..oi meats. Low, rery totg, necked dress
rs are all the fashion, and the prettier the neck
land its appendages) the lower the dress, seems
TO be the rule. There can be no mistake about
the development of the chest. cotton will not
answer it must be real flesh and blood but
when it comes to woman Of City, who happens
to have fat neck and makes display Of it.
the fashion is rather disgusting one.
The Presidents levee on Friday, was u jam
in reality, and seems to be nothing more than
promenade for the display Of handsome dress
es, and ugly faces in,erspersed with few
handsome ones The reception rooms, east
rooms and lobbies. were crowded with all sorts
Of people-high, low, rich and poor, indiscrim-
inately mingled Beautiful dresses, handsome
uniforms, waving pumes, aud often the sparkle
Of diamonds met the eye, as the crowd slowly
moved along to the music Of the Marine Band.
Mrs. PIERCE was by the side OF the President
but looking quite unwell.
Mr. McCLEIANp gave u reception on Monday
evening, and the House was filed IRON base
ment to attic. Mrs McCLEiAyD has intro
duced dancing to her receptions, which makes
them more pleasant than those Of some Of the
other Secretaries,
have read Of hoops being attached to
dresses in olden times, and that II was neccs-
sary to elevate one side in passing through
door. As hoops have become fashionable
again | was curious 10 know how the ladies
managed in the crowded parties they have
here. watched lady, the diameter OF whose
dress at the pedal extremities might have meas
ured about five feet. in diameter pass through
a space Of about two feet, and supposed she
wonld emerge with her dress in the shape Of an
elongated o. but she no sooner got through,
than to my astonishment the whole parapher-
MALTA expanded into former balloon proportions
Had India rubber been discovered in the days
Of Queen ELIZABETH, how much convenience
might have been saved 30 the ladies OF that
remote age.
There is but little going on here to write
about. Congress is no, in working order, as
no Committees have yet been announced. Mr..
CiossRRESxrR the O. Sergeant at Arms, has
been reelected by snail majority. Captain
DARLIxo elected Door-keeper; Mr.. MoREIs OF
Pennsylvania Postmaster and Mr.. FoILEr Of
Of Ohio will probably be elected Printer. by
next week the member will get to work in
earnest
| notice that your Governor has been re-
moved from the Office Of Superintendent Of
Indian Affairs. Mr.. IiCEBscHxAsS, who sue
ceeds Gov. GoRxAS in the Minnesota supcrin-
tendency is spoken Of here az capable and
eficien, man. lie is ordered TO reside in t.
Paul. II isas,onishing. after the many rcbukes
that Gov. GoKyAx has had from the Indian
Bureau, that he should have retained the posi-
ton Of Superintendent 30 long Orders have
2. 1t.