The New York herald., 1872-12-27
WASHINGTON.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 90, 1872.
The White House Closed to Strangers for
he Present.

WASHINGTON, Dec. &c, 1872
The White House Closed to Strangers for
| the Present.
The President has shut the doors OF the Execu-
tive Mansion against visitors until after the holI-
days. Mrs. Grant said she was tired of having her
home made the rendezvous of politicians every day
In the week, Sundays not excepted, and was de-
termined she would have some privacy during the
holidays.
The Capital In a Strange Plight.
Washington is blockaded with snow. The means
Of egress rs mean as those OF ingress, the
hotels are vacated, the streets deserted and the
only sound breaking the monotony of this Deem
Der eve Is an occasional jingle of sleigh bells.
1Ne trata which left New York this morning will
not arrive until a late hour tomorrow morning.
Tho Southern trains have not been heard from.
The Potomac Is ice-bound and unless the weather
modcrates In few days the shopkeepers here will
become insovent.
Captain Irvine Shot by an Indian.
A despatch received at the War Department re-
ports that Captain J. b. Irvine, OF the Twentysec-
ond infantry, was surprised and severely wounded
by shot from an Indian, three miles from Fort
Suy, on the 9th inst. The Indian is said to be the
same one who stabbed and killed soldier at the
Cheyenne Agency last June. Efforts are making to
arrest the Indian, who ia still at large
The President on Tuesday signed the bill to re-
duce the expenses and Ofces OF the Internal Reve-
nue. Bureau, which passed Congress a few days
ago. and the work OF putting the new law into
practical operation will be commenced immedi-
ately This bill, 1t will be remembered, egisates
all OF the assessors out Of office by the 1st of July
next. There are about seventeen different kinds
OF stamps to be prepared before the new law goes
into effect, but work upon them will be commenced
without delay.
Naval Officer Suspended and Restored.
In the case OF Alexander A. Semmes, OF the
United States Navy, tried in January last for in
nicting cruel and unlawful punishment upon per-
sons under his command, for abuse OF his official
powers, and for oppressive and inhuman conduct
unbecomng an officer and gentleman while he was
in command OF the United States steamer Ports
mouth, found guilty and sentenced to be sus-
pended from duty and rank for three years,
and to be reprimanded by the Secretary
or the Navy, the President has remitted that
portion OF his sentence which suspe nded him from
rank and duty, and he will again be ordered to
duty by the department. The severe reprimand
which he received, however, by the Secretary at
the time, stands on the record, 1t being announced
therein that If the sentence OF the Court had been
severer the department would not have failed to
approve 1t.
the Navy Department..
The House Appropriations Committee will meet
tomorrow at twelve O'Clock. Mr.. Hale, from
Maine will introduce the Navy bill to appropriate
about twenty millions for the repair OF vessels
the support OF our navy yards and the construc-
tion Of FIVE new compound engines. or this sum
$75O,000 are 10 DO expended for the compound en-
gines and the same appropriations as last year are
to be made for the Brooklyn Navy Yard.
An Alleged Svvindle OF S7OO,0OO.
Parties here from Montana are prepared TO make
afidavts that there Is no such tribe In existence
as the Teton Sioux for the support Of which
appropriations were made last year OF $500, 900,
and in the bill just passed the House
OF $2oo,Co0 These parties propose to
furnish the Senate Appropriation Committee with
a statement showing that the disbursement Of
moneys to the sc-calei tribe, especially under the
agency OF superintendent Wall. lately removed to
make way for Rev. Caleb Wright, were made upon
fraudulent vouchers.
Important to European Traders.
The Post Offce Department has been notified by
the New York Postmaster that the mail for Europe
per steamship Adriatic sailing next Saturday. will
close in New York city on Friday afternoon at Ave
| O'Clock.