Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1863-12-15
THE RUSSIAN BANQUET.
Spsechas by Tbs. Russian Minister
ard Speaker OolfaX.
ARMY OF The POTOMAC.
TIE HOUSE COMHITTEEs.
Important Military Bill


| tors anu members. Il gOoQly numDer OF
ladies were also present. and altogether
the banquet was one Of the grsndest ever
bad in this vicinity. About two o'clock
i the superb entertainment provided by the
Russisn Minister, Baron Stoeckel, was set
forth for the guests. The table was bril-
lisntly decorated, especially in floral
way, the Russian Minister having given
a carte blanche 10 the White House garden
ers. Among the beautiful decorations
were five magnificent urns Of roses, con-
tanning 300 rare jsponIess, with other
| flowers, mossed up with growing ivy, Sc.
The larger vessels occupied the center of
the table, tapering off in each direction
with smaller ones, and their exquisite fra
grsnce lent great charm to the banquet.
The banquet, in elegance and profusioD,
was in accordance =ith the sdornments,
and was worthy Of the distinguished
guests entertained, and the great nation
represented. Aftec dinner was over, and
while the guests were seated, the Russian
Minister arose, and amidst the thunaers
Of the cannon Of the feet, said:
"Igive you the happiness and prosperi-
ty Of the United Stat s. Myself, the Ad-
miral, and all the officers thank you for
the kindness and hospitality we have re-
ceived in this country"
Speaker Colfax, of the House, replied to
the toast as follows:
Admiral, after the toast given in honor
Of our great country, by the gentleman
who so worthily represents your Imperial
Master at the Sapital, and sfler the salute
| Just fred, it devolves on me to make few
words Of response. The Representatives
Of the American Congress, receiving your
very kind invitation, have assembled here
to thank you under the entwined flag Of
Russia and America, and to partake Of
your hospitality. L need not say to you
that since the commencement of the great
struggle in which this country is engaged
/ for its existence, the heart Of every Amer
lean has warmed toward all those who
sent welcome words Of sympathy to the
Republic founded by Wsshin gton, Tap
plause] and whom across the broad AtIan-
ito came the cheering words Of sympathy
in the hour of trial from the Gar OF all
the Russians, our hearts warmed as never
before toward sll the people of cur distant
land. Your countay, sir, is great and oul
country, distracted as it is to day, but with
the glad sunshine of victory breaking
through the clouds, is also great. Your.
is in three continents, Europe, Asia and
| America, and ours in one; but spannin 2
the entire continent from ocean to ocean
On the one side, from the Atlantic coast,
our commerce, with its white-winged
sails, speeds onward to your ports in the
! East; on the other side, in the Pacific
slope, our great nation is 80 close TO that
/ Of yours that we can almost realize the
greeting Of grasped hands, and thHs two
great countries Slmost encircle the globe
thank you, sir, for the cordial welcome
| given US here, and in response give you,
Russia and the United States: may the
friendship between them be IS perpetual
ss the stars Prolonged cheering
Ito the Cincinnati Gazette.J
News from the Potomac Army sounds Of
nothing but hammer and saw. Men are
busy in erecting cabins aud preparing to
spend the winter in martial peace at Bran
dy Station. Ten day furloughs begin to
be granted to officers. Three years men
| are rapidly re-enEsting and receiving fur
loughs. The lst Virginia Cavalry LETT for
home Saturday, to recruit nearly every
man now attached to it having re-enllsted.
Detschments are leaving daily for q simi-
lar purpose.
A reconnoisaDce made on Friday to-
ward Sperryville, found portions OF the 9th
Virginia Cavalry hanging on the skirts Of
our army on that side.
The Committees Of the House will be an
uounced to morrow. Il is understood that
Speaker Colf4x already h8s them prepared,
but their composition is carefully kept Sc
oret, until the hour of their official an.
nouncement. The pressure of interest ed
parties has Of course been tremenduous
and for the last two days the Speaker has
been compelled, during a good part of his
time, to keep himself locked up in his
room at the Capitol to avoid attempts at
influence by outside parties. It is under.
stood that the cast Of the Committees is un.
usually strong, and it is believed that il
will come as near giving general salts fac
ion as such things ever do. think it safe
to say thst the following will probably b
found the composition in part of the Com
mittees: Ways and Means: Thad. Stevens
Of Pennsylvania, continued chairman, Nor
rill, of Vermont, and Hooper, of Massa
chusetts, continued; Blair, of ST. Louis, ad
ded. 1t is understood that the genera
composition of this committee will be sat
isfsetory to the friends of Chsse's fnsneis
pei oy.
Military Committee-MsjOr Genera
Scbenck, chairman, Major General Gar
field, Brigadier General Loan, of Missouri
BIigadier General FarnsWorth, of Illinois
1t is understood that teis committee will
be satisfactory 10 Secretary Stanton.
| all If dal
phis, prominent member, if not chair
man. Foreign Relations, Winter Davis
chairman, succeeding to Jehn ]. 0ritten
den's place; dOoch, of Massachusetts
Commerce, Wsshburne, Of Illinois, chair
man. 1t is understood that these tw
] committees are constituted SO as to b
friendly TO the interests Of the northwest
and especially to the ship canal.
Pest Office end Post ROad-Allep, Q
Massachusetts, succeeds to Colfsx's oil
! place. Elections-Dswes, Of Msssachu
0 setts, chairman. Judicisry-None bu
two Of the old members of this committe
remain, Pendleton and Wilson, Of lows
are both on again. Territories, Ashley 9
Ohio chairman.
Speaker Colfax has taken q house o
Four-snd a-helf street. and will begin th
. customary Speaker reeeptions immediate
ly after the holidays.
Senator Wilson from the Senate Militsr
Committee, will offer, tomorrow, an in
portsnt bill to increase the bounty Of Vo
i unteers and the pay Of the army:
SECTION ! provides shat there shall b
4 paid TO such persons ss have enlisted, {
/, may enlist, under the Presidsnts last cal
I. to veterans, $500; to new recruits, $500
Section 2 provides for the payment
S25 premium TO sHy one procuring a We
: ersn volunteer, and Sl6 for any other.
/. Section apprOpriates SIC, 100000 fc
the payment CT these bounties.