Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-02-09
WASHINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP
The Committees Of the House. usual


these important features in the organization
of the House is to-day at its height We no.
ticed many persons understood to be special.
ly interested in fixing" this or that one Of
them, hurrying hither and kiteing thither, al
a great rate, with the immense importance
ito them,) of their errands plainly written on
their excited countensnces. Neither the new
Speaker nor the public can have the slightest
idea Of the roundabout ways in which these
gentlemen labor to compass their several ends,
half dozen inter-agencies being at times re-
sorted to, until the immediate advisor Of the
Speaker is not only entirely ignorant of whose
axe he is grinding, but, actually, that he is
laboring hard to grind anybody's axe!
Judging from the tenor of conversations
among the Republican members on the SUBJ
ject, We draw the conclusion that Mr. Speaker
Banks will do all he can, decently, for his
party in forming the committees. That lie;
that wherever the slavery question, in any of
its phases, is likely to be committed, directly
or indirectly to a committee, he will name on
it five Republicans, three Democrats, and one
South American or National Know Nothing.
We also judge that he will frame the Ways
and Means committee so thatits majority shall
reflect the sentiments of the vast majority of
the country upon the subject of protection;
having no idea that the Pennsylvania proteo-
tionists will accomplish any thing in the way
of getting undue advantages for the darling
interests of the capitalists Of their State, by
the steadiness with which they adhered to the
Republican organization in the late protracted
contest. They will find, we fancy, that they
pulled mool over their own eyes Tin more
senses than one,) in interpreting their indi-
vidual wishes with reference to the complex
ion of the Ways and Means, Manufacturers
and Commerce committees, as involving indi.
rect pledges from their candidate. But, how.
ever he may shape the important committees,
the public may rely on it that there will be
terrible growing from the disappointed inter-
ests; and, frame su,h committees as we name
above as he may, it cannot be otherwise than
that powerful interests now striving to give
life to them, will be vastly disgruntled, indeed.
The Fifth Reception Thanks to the in
clement weather there was no "crush" ut tho
Executive Mansion last evening, and those
ladies who paid their respects to the Presi-
dent and his estimable lady could afterwards
circulate through the gay and brilliant throng
without a "crash of crinoline and wreck Of
founces." They were introduced to Mrs
Pierce by DR.. Blake, the Commissioner of
Public Buildings,) who is already at home in
this pleasing portion of his duty, which he
performs with great suavity and readiness.
The Marine Band, stationed in the vesti.
bule, and under the direction of Signor Scala,
executed at intervals the following
PROGRAMME.
Quickstep. "Capt Finch's."
Polka.
Cavatina. Giovanna d'Arco" Clarion.
cite Solo by Wagner.
Schottische. "My Mary Ann. (By request
Cavatina. Somnambula." French.horn
solo, by Taltavull.
Waltz. "Lebensbilder
Polka. New" Bobbin' around" composed
by the leader, F. Scala.
Finale. Yankee Doodle.
The gentlemen present represented every
phase of official position; among them-M. de
Stocked, the Russian Minister; Justices Ca
tron and Mclean, of the Supreme Court
Colonels Cooper and Emory of the army
Governors Bigler and Jones, General Houston,
j Judge Douglas, and other Senators; Mr..
Speaker Banks, and a score of Representa-
tives; Mr.. Gordon Brown, Of Toronto Sid
ney W ebster, Esq, the Presidents Private
Secretary; Col Fremont Mr.. George B.
Greatorex, of London; Messrs. King and
Wood, the artists-in short, there was large
array of talent, wealth and ability.
Mrs. B**s*n, of Kentucky, tall and grace
full, wore an elegant white ball dress, admira-
bly, calculated to set off her charms. Mrs. C.
W***s*l, Of New York, looked and moved
" every inch queen Mrs. S****s, of
California, THAT fair bride whose future is full
Of joyous anticipations,) wore her diamonds
with that grace which alone can enhance their
brilliancy her rich blue pattern-silk dress
was charmingly a la mode. Nine. S*x#~**I,
the bride Of the Russian Minister, was much
admired. Mrs. T***n wore one of Nine. De-
larue bewitching eoifures with grace that
attracted much attention. Mrs H**I, of
Massachusetts,, in white satin, was surrounded
by many friends, attracted by her courteous
conversational powers. Mrs. Bs***s, of South
Carolina, who was dressed in an elegant silk,
made with great taste, appeared willing to
have joined in dance had sets been formed
Mrs S*t****d, of Philadelphia, wore pink
tulls, with five founces Of points, bordered
with narrow inches Of satin ribbon-a corsage
with bouillonnes-and a couture
Of pendant flowers. Mrs. C****s*I, of Penn
Zone Of the "poetesses of America ~
appeared radiant with triumph over the vic.
tory she has b ad such share in winning. Mrs.
B***n, Mrs. Px***r, Mrs. T**e, and other
ladies Of this city, were much admired, and
the we'll known authoress, Mrs. Ann S.
s******s, was, Of course, an observed Of
all Observers"
The young ladies are either more devout or
E-s