Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1868-12-30
EVENING STAR.
Washington News and Gossip.

AT THE WHITG
81 sE-We have an interesting detailed
rrrort Of the cnildrens party a, the Executive
Mansion las: evening. which is necessarily
de.erred until tomorrow
The soiree was q brilliant affair Invitatioas
20 the number of two or three hundred had
been distributed to families in almost eyerv
circle Of society. The children, accompanied
by their parents or friends, commenced TO
arrive At an early hour, and by seven O'Clock
the spacious East Room was ihrongc5, pre.
senting q scene never before witnessed within
lie walls. The little ones were most becominyly
dressed, aud toe children OF the Presidents
family, including Frank johnson, now a s.u-
dent at Georgetown College, Andrew Slower,
Andrew Patterson, Miss Belle Patterson. ana
Saliie and Lilly Slower, received their guests
with an ease and grace which would have
done honor to sschildren Of a larger growth
The Marine Band, in full uniform. was on a
platform erected in the cs ltre Of the east side
OF the room, over which was fes.ooned the
national eolcrs. Soon the enhvening strains OF
t1e band broke in upon the hum Of conver ,.
tol, and In nom eat the promena com.
menced. Then followed, under the direction
ofProfessor Marini, assisted by Mr.. Bates, q
Gaadr.Ie, polka, schottische, llnciers,, and
sIlop, through which the little ones pa,sei
with credit. At the reques. of Mrs. Patterson
several fancy dances, including the Highland
Pl'n-, SmolenskI, Srssby. Bolero, and
L'Arle', were executnd, executed, elic,ting en-.
thus.as,ic applause. The collation. was next
on the programme, and the party passed into
the supper-room, where the tlble, were GOV.
cred with delicacie7. After supper tas dance
was renewed, and kept mp unit IL about eleven
o'clock, when clo.ks and hats were donncd,
and the gay assemblage dispersed. The
soiree was most enjoyable in every respect.
During the entire evening the resident, to.
geiher with Senator Patterson, Mrs. Patterson,
Mrs. Slower. Colonel Moore, Colonel Morrow,
and others Of the household were pre- jent, and
spared NO exeriion to secure the pleasure of
those present. Among the families of promi.
nent persons represented were tho,e of Score.
taries Browning, McCulloch, WelleJ, and
Randall; General Jeffries, Admiral Rsdford,
General Zeilin, General Vincent, General
Miehler; the Eaglish and Russian Minister'S,
he Swiss Consul General; also, ex.Miyor
Wallach, ]. J. May. Esq, ]. W Eo,eier. Esq,
and many other rc5idenfs Of this District
Miss ANNE1 re HOWE, a ne'ce of the Hon
Henry Wilson, and Lieutenant Alexander T
Smith, son Of the lste Thomas p. Smith. of
Medford, were married az the residence Of the
distins uIshed Senator, at Natick, on Cnristmls
day. Lieutenant Smith was one OF the e1rliest
volunteers during the late war, and made the
grand march to the sen with General Sherman.
The bridal presents were costly and elegant,
and conspicuous among them was an autograph
letter from General Grant, regretting his ina.
bility to be present and wishing the young
couple many years of happiness in their mar.
red life. After the wedding dinner The bridal
party departed en- route for this city.
PAYMAsTRR EDWARD RRLI0ws. limited
States navy, late Of the Shamokin, which has
Just returned from the South Pacific squadron,
was left by Commander Brains in Brazil to be
tried by a Urt-maItal on the charge OF swim.
dliDg the 4overnment in the matter Of his bills
OF fexehauge cashed in Brazil 1t 10 alleged that
while charging ON his books American gold.
Bellows drew and dIsbursed the currency of
the country, sppropriating to his own use the
difference in exchsuge.
OFYICHRe or THE Army % THE POTOMAC
A circular was received to-day by Col. Dex.
teI, Assistant Adjutsnt General, from Gen.
erals EutSerfeld ana Ingalls,, Of New York,
announcing that a convention of officers OF the
Army Of the Potomac would be held in this
city or the 2'd of February, and In vitiny his
cooperation in the same. The object Of the
convention is TO form a permanent organiza.
tion CT the old officers OF the Army of the Po-
tomac.
CONTRAEIwIsR 10 the statement that the
public debt of the month Of December will
show a decrease of about Ss,O0O,OO0, Data''
writes that it will show an increase Of be-
:ween two and three millions. The internal
revenue receipts have been about the average
AT this season, but the customs receipts have
fallen on slightly. The War Department ex-
penses. owing 10 the Indian difficulties, have
largely ipcres ed.
THE ANNOUNCEMENT Is made thar the Pres.
ident will, at an early day after Congress as
sembles, veto the Southern States militia bill.
There Is no authority fer any such statement,
ard the President has not received notice Of
he passage Of such a bill.
AT THE CLOSE of 1867 gold was quoted at
I35aI33.; yesterday it left of at 13izs. Thi.
would indicate that we are making progress
- baekward.''
GONE TO RIcHMoNp.-Yesterday morning q
NUM- Ger of members Of Congress, accompanied
by some o. the officers of the Senate and House
OF Representatives made an excursion to Rich
mcnd, Va. intending % spend few days there
prior TO the resumption Of business by Con.
gress- They took passage on the hne steamer
Keyport, Of the Richmond and Fredericksburg
railroad.
TIE CLAIMS OF THE NORTHEEsr HoR REP
RKsENTATIOs IN The NRw CABISET.-lo the
various .sSlate Cabinets that nave been fig-
ured up and exhibited in the columns Of pub
lie journals, entitled 20 the special consider
alton of the President elect there has been in
almest every instance urged prominently, the
claims Of locality IN addition 70 the personai
qualifications. special Illness and political
prominence of those named in connection with
the various positions.
The country has been very carefully dis
tricted on and proportioned out, and the
special claims of States and sections minutely
adjusted by friends Of those gentlemen who
have an eye to the Cabinet, and which Is geu-
orally all very good. but with one exception.
The clans Of the great country west OF the
Mississippi river 70 one representative in the
new Cabinet has, in most instances, been over
locked, untbought OF, or uncared for. 1t Is be-
lieyed that in but ono instance oply-Which
was the orisf period in which Hon. James
Harlan. OF Iowa, officiated as Secretary Of the
IuterIor-has any one from that vast section
besn called to the head of Department and Is
one of the Presidents counsellors.
CSensral Grant, whose home Is upon the very
borders of the great Northwest, whose claim Is
here pIesen.ed, will be likely to recognise the
Justice Of Il, and select as the universal choice
OF the people Of thrt region for Postmaster
General or Attorney General IN his Cabinet
,ne Hon. james y. Wilson, Of Iowa. widely
Hnown as the able chairman Of the House Ju-
aIcsaiy Committee.
For either position no one will doubt MT.
Wilson's entire ntpess-the latter perhaps
more especially qualified for, BY his high, solid
uiya sal lv m A..