Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-04-26
WASHINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP
The Twelfth and Last Receptiou.-As Va

The Twelfth and Last Reception. was
anticipated, the reception of last night was
much the most largely attended of the season
All the ordinary levee-goers were present of
course, and there were in addition all those
procrsstinating spirits who, were the recep-
lions "to stretch till the crack of DOOM"
would inevitably miss all but the final one.
The ladies, Of course, made the most of the
occasion, and at the height of the reception
say about half-past nine at night-the east
room and all its approaches presented a flower
garden brilliancy of variegated spring cos,
TUNES; the gay colors worn by the fair crea.
lures being thrown cut in strong relief by the
sombre-toned broadcloth of the sterner and
Amidst this indescribsbls confusion-this
moving avalanche of ribbons, founces, tissues,
tarietanes, grapes, sprays and brocades, sim
gle gentlemen Of small size, were pretty con-
tinuslly getting obscured, and sometimes in
eItricably snarlsd up by an awkward step
through spreading hounce.
Occasion ally tho confusion was heightened
by the advent Of some family party''-some
lean man with a stout wife, succeeded by two
or three wife's sisters, backed up by half
dozen daughters, and a concatenatio of cou-
sins, and cousins cousins, all arm in arm,
linked together like a string of sausages.
The delegation of Seminole Indians were
present, but they seemed to care little for the
display Of fashion; and stationing themselves
as near as possible to tho Marine Band,
were ObliviOus to aught else but the music,
for the entire evening.
The bare list Of names Of distinguished per-
sonages present would swell this article inf
nitely beyond the small space We can allot to
it to-day; suffice it to say that the collection of
celebrities and lions Of all sorts-congressional
military, diplomatic, literary, &C., &c-was
extensive enough to satisfy the most enthu-
Elastic hero-worshipper or curiosity hunter.
The array Of NJ. C.'s alone was sufficient to
give coloriDg to the idea that both Houses had
adjourned en- nrasse to the Presidential Man.
sion. The veteran Cass was present, and ap-
parently quite recovered from the effects of
his late severe accident
We noticed also amongst the cold stagers'
of the Senate Messrs. Douglas, Crittenden,
and Bell Of Tennessee.
Mr.. Speaker Banks was there; also Mr..
Banks. His face and figure has now become
familiar to cur citizens, but Mrs Banks has
been less seen in public, and was consequent.
ly much observed. She was unanimously
voted " magnificent" OF the Cabinet we
saw Messrs. Guthrie, Dobbin, and McClelland
Handsome Judge Wayne of the Supreme
Court was present. Gen. Persifer Smith was
there, and other distinguished Army and
Navy oficers; but We are straying beyond
our limited space, and will close with ono
long. lingering look at the East Room now
closing for the season
"Like some banquet hall deserted
Whose lights are fed, whose garla- DIS dead,
Ard all but me departed %
The Marine Band-which We hope to meet
soon again in the public grounds-performed
rich programme, including several fine com
positions by Professor Scala, the accomplished
leader.
Setting Them Up.-Yesterday's session of
the House was consumed in an effort to get
Immediate action upon the bill to refund the
duties upon goods in the original packages
destroyed by fire since 1888, to which We
briefly referred yesterday. Mr. Pelten ha,
informed the House that it does not embrace
the claims of insurance companies who have
paid for the destruction Of such goods by fire.
We do not comprehend the propriety Of the
distinction. The individuals owning stock in
such companies are as justly entitled to the
bounty Of the Government in this case-the
question being altogether one of bounty.
any other class Of citizens
But the point at present on our mind Is the
fact that multitude Of those who lost by the
great FIRE in New York in 1888, made that fact
their nominal reason for taking the benen. Of
the bankrupt act in 1S4I; paying their creditors
only with their oaths setting forth that thew
were without the means of paying for value
received. As their property in the goods de.
stroyed by fre had in ls41 no existence. of
course they made over to their creditors moth.
ing as the value of those goods So, the credi.
tors, rather than the bankrupt debtors, are the
losers by the fire In question; and if il is
proper to refund the duties to either, surely
the creditors Of the bankrupts are the parties
who should receive the bounty of the Govern
ment.
Mr.. Pelton, according to the information at
bis command, estimated the total amount to be
paid under this bill at maximum of $500, 900.
HE Committee on Commerce of the last House,
after investigating the subject, set down double
'nat sum as the amount to be paid on account
Oh inc loss by the great FIRE in New York in
> iooo' and two fires in San Francisco alone.
fhe present bill covers every fire that has
occurred any where in the United States n
the last eighteen years, in which imnor,.s
goods in the original packages werv burned
The reader, On rejecting upon th;. f.., n,
readily perceive that it will be quite as .,,v
TO make the amount payable under this h;i,
If enacted, ten, as Eve millions of dollars.