Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1868-01-30

n SttNB IN THE EhOtSE.-Inee Was Yuits a
scene and muck excitement in the House to-
day, over a resolution introduced by Nh SEQ
Il. Id, giving an extract from the Ereniag Err
press of yesterday, to the effect that of the
Justices of the Supreme Court had declared at
private gathering, that the reconstruction
acts were unconstitutional. and the Court
would so decide them. The resolution author
ICES the Judiciary Committee to examine into
the matter and ascertain the truth OF the state
ment: and if so, whether it does not constitute
a misdemeanor in office sufficient to cans ar
ticles of impeachment to be preferred agair> {
the said Judge. The Democrats from all parts
of the House endeavored TO get the flooc,
to speak agains, the resolution. Mr.. Ell
bridge characterized it as another disgraceful
proceeding of this Congress. No name being
mentioned in the resolution, the Democrats
endeavored to have the name of the Judge in
serted but none of them would offer the neces-
sary amendment to do so, although the name of
Justice Field was mentioned as the party al
luded TO, it having been so stated in the Bllti-
more GdSette. The debate was cut off by a call
for the previous question, and Mr. Robinson
moved 10 lay the resolution on the table, but
this was voted down. The vote on the adoption
Of the resolution stood--ayes, 99 nays, 81.
RECEPTIONS YEsTERpAY.-The severe storm
yesterday did not operate a check on social
pleasures, and the various receptions were at
tended by a great number of ladies and gentle
men. The parlors at each residence where calls
We're made We're crowded with cheerful groups
of visitors, affording a marked and pleasing
contrast to rhe gloomy aspect of things outside,
where a leaden sky and driving snow and sleet
exerted their depressing in influence.
Many friends of Mrs. Secretary Stanton
braved the weather TO call upon that lady,
whose receptions are among the most pleasant
of the gay season here, but learned with regret
that she was suffering from indis position.
Mrs. Postmaster General Randall received
her friends in her usual pleasant manner at
her residence, corner Iith and l. streets. She
was assisted by her mother and Mrs. George
h. Otis, of New York city. Among those who
called were Mrs. Admiral Shubrick, Mrs. SEN
ator Cragin, Mrs. Secretary McCulloch, Miss
Swami. Miss Laura &. Man, Mrs. Gen. John
&. Cox. Mrs. Gen. Everett, Judge ID. N. Cooley
and lady, Mrs. Surgeon Clymer, u. 5. ~, Mrs
Senator Morrill, of Vermont, Mrs. Benz. Butler,
Miss Blanche Butler, Mrs. VIM. Genet, Miss
Louise Genet, Miss Mary +. Genet, Mrs. 5. p.
Brown, Mrs. Hancock, Mrs. Paymaster Jack
son, U 5 ~. and others. The happy manner
III which this accomplished lady entertains her
friends, makes her afternoon receptions very
popular.
The mansion of Secretary McCulloch, on H
street, above 16k. open TO the friends of
the accomplished lady of the Secretary, and
callers during the afternoon were handsomely
entertained. Among them We noticed Mrs.
Senator Morrill, of Vermont, Mrs Senator Cra-
gin, Mrs Admiral Radford, Miss Radford, Mrs
General Green, Mrs. General Gaines, Miss
Swan, Judge ID. n. Cooley and ladies, Mrs
General Meyer, Mrs. Jas. JOurneny, Surgeon
Edwards, L. 5. ~, and ladies, and Mrs. John
Dickinson.
The trip to the Heights Of Georgetown yes
terday was a formidable one, but notwithstand-
m no m nrl lpmpncy of hp WI rhpr n orc
Der of ladies called upon Mrs. Secretary Brown
ing, nj her residence there, when several hours
were pleasantly passed by visitors with the
hostess and her accomplished daughter and
niece.
MR.. and Miss Matthews, al Speaker Colfax's
mansion, West Lafayette Square, received
great many visitors during the afternoon
among whom We're Mrs. Admiral Shubrick
Mrs. Senator Cragin, Mrs. Surgeon Ciymer, T.
s. N: Mrs. Senator Moir.ll, OF Vermont Mrs
Benjamin Butler, Miss Blanche Butler, Mrs. G.
T.. Washburn. Mrs T.. B. Washburne, Miss
Washburne, Mrs. Judge Woodhull, and Mrs
Samuel Wetmore- The reception was a delight
iui one.
Mrs. Gen. Augur happily entertained those
who called at her residence, corner Of Mont
gomery and Beall streets, Georgetown, during
the afternoon.
The reception given by Chief Justice Chase
last evening his residence on the corner of 9Th
and streets, was, despite the weather. Il large
and fashionable one. Distinguished officers of
the army and navy, eminent civilians and sci
entiic gentlemen, with many beautiful and
richly dressed ladies. formed brilliant assem-
biage. The Chief Justice with his graceful and
accomplished daughters-Mrs. Senator Sprague
aud Miss Nettie Chase-received their friends
in the east parlOr, and from o'clock until past
II were busily engaged in accepting the con-
ordinations of those who called A substan-
tial lunch was prepared for all To pArtake, and
the enjoyment Of the visitors was unalloyed.
--
CLERICAL CONPENsATION.-Ed. N1r: Hon
Mr.. SpaldiDg, of Ohio, has introduced in the
House a joint resolution to allow TO certain
grades of employees in the Executive Depart
ments twenty per cent. increased compensa-
ton. The parties benefited will be only the
s1,2CG 81 AGO, and SLIGO employees. The needy
ones that now labor for $50 to S75 month must
continue TO struggle along as best they may
upon their present most inadequate compensa-
hon. Now, all who know Mr.. Spalding, know
that he has framed this measure with the best
intentions--that his object is to afford help
where il is sorely needed-that his desire is to
do simple act of justice toward some Of the
hardest working and the humblast of the SER
wants OF the Government. But it is plain thar
he has overlooked an important feature of his
generous task, in that be has excluded from
increased pay the very persons who staad in
direst need Of 1t. i refer to those clerks, por-
ters, watchmen, &c., whose salaries fall below
Sl,JC0 year. The majority of the women i'm
the Departments get only about s15 week,
and how they ever manage to pay board and
lodging with il is mys ystery to me, and will be
to you and to Mr.. Spalding, if you will only
glance over your expense account for a single
week, and note the fact that with your best
economy IL costs you twice that sum to exist for
the term specified. But reflect further, thus
The inevitable consequence of being poor, is to
have a hospital of helpless, afflicted, bed-rid.
den, or Otherwis unremuneratiye relatives TO
support-in W hich case fifteen dollars is hardly
sufficient to provid lodgings, lei alone food for
the party. II is within my knowledge that a
large number of the Department girls help TO
support, out of their meagre wages, their moth.
and their little brothers and sisters 1t
would be- better that great nation should paw
premium upon devotion like this, i'm even a
few persons, than TO deny il To that few be.
cause all beside them would get the premium
also. 1t is also within my knowledge that
many of the low -salaried servants of the Gov.
ernnent have families--ine xcusable a. such
conduct may seem, in people Of low salaries
and some OF them, while gradually starving
those families here, have at least the blessed
privilege Of experimenting their lingering dis.
solution; but the families of others are kept in
distant loca lities for the sake OF economy. and
If the proprietor sends for them To come here to
bless his vision with their faces once more for a
day. the expense ruins him-that proprietor
may be regarded in the light of a BANKRUPT
community theneeforward for at least the Pc
riod OF six months. .fEi fa'-tiD EAttfF
Really, sir, il is very. very hard to live on
Si5 a week-it Is almost impossible to do IT, i
know that retienchment is a laudabls thing--a
very laudable thing; but what a real pity il is I