The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1873-01-04
THE PRESIDENTS LEVEE.
BRILLIANT SCENES At THE WHITE
HOUSE RECEPTION.
The Diplomatic Corps-Splendid Co.'S
tumes-ShalH the Number OF West
Point nnd Annapolis Cadets be Re-
duced s-The Louisiana Case, SO.

Point and Annapolis Cadets be Re-
duced s-The Louisiana Case, SO.
IFRoA OUR OWN EsPoNDENT.l
WASHINGTON, January l.
The custom of paying New Years calls was
observed generally in this city to-day, al
though the weather was threatening, and
The walking most dsagreeable from the
thawing of our recent heavy snow. The
streets and avenues. however, presented a
very gay and busy appearance on account OF
the unusual number of carriages and New
Year suites Of pedestrian visitors. There was
but little drunkenness, owing to the fact that
most of those receiving had agreed to re-
frain from ofsrlDg their guests beverages
stronger than lemonade, coffee or chocolate.
The reception OF the President was unusu-
ally brilliant. The carpeting In the several
drawing-rooms were neatly covered. Each
room was brilliantly Illuminated by handsome
cut-glass chandeliers, and decorated with nu-
merous vases filled with choice flowers from
the Congressional and Presidential conserv-
alories Exactly at eleven O'Clock General
Grant and wife made their appearance, when
the Marine Band struck up "Hal to the Chief,'
after which the presentations began by The
secretary Of State presenting the members Of
the different foreign legations first. They were
presented In the order OF their rank. Blacque
Bey was the first, being dean of the diplomatic
corps, accompanied by his vile and General
Mott, whose rank Is second only to the Sultan
Of Turkey. Their uniforms were dazzling In
the extreme. Madame Blscque's rare jewels
and rich black velvet added to her beauty.
Sir Edward Thornton and lady, the British
minister, the minister from Ecuador, and his
young wife, attracted much attention from the
elegance of their attire. There was also pres
ent the representatives of Austria, Peru, Italy,
Mexico, Brazil, Prussia, Spain, Russia, France,
Belgium, Portugal, Japan, Chill and Denmark.
The gentlemen were all accompanied by their
secretaries and the ladies OF their household,
and from the richness and variety of their CO.'S
tunes and decorations presented most re-
splendent appearance. Mrs. Grant aud Miss
Nellie were both very richly dressed, and aid
ed In their reception by Miss Lizzie Porter,
Niles Barnes, Mrs. aud Miss Fish, and Mrs.
Attorney.G General Williams.
The Judges of the United States Supreme
Court, senators and representatives, the gov.
prnor OF the district and suite, Judges OF the
Court OF Claims, aud the members of the
board of public works, we're received at half
past eleven.
At twelve O'Clock the officers of the army
and navy appeared In full uniform, the former
headed by General Sherman and The latter
by Admiral Porter, then the heads OF bureaus,
followed BY the "AesoOlated Soldiers of the
War of 1872" and the "Odest Inhabltanls'
Association Of the District OF Columbia"
All members oil the cabinet and foreign
ministers also had their receptions, which
were largely attended; In fact the day has
passed off most cheerfully without an Incident
to mar It's pleasures, until at slX o'clock P. n.
q most disagreeable sleet began, which may
cause accidents to those who have welcomed
the new year with stronger liquids than those
heretofore mentioned.
The secretaries OF war and the navy were
before the appropriation committee yesterday
to give their Views relative TO the proposed
reduction of graduates at West Point and An.
napolls, owing 10 the anticipated Increase OF
cadelshlps from the additional f0rty-nine
Congressional Districts that will be represent
eo III tho next House. General -Belknap is
opposed to any reduction because West Point
does not now furnish sufficient number OF
of1cers. He stated that from forty TO fifty of.
fcers are killed annually upon the frontier by
the Indians. Additional reasons are that,
out Of ninety cadets who enter West Point,
upon an average only about half that number
graduate, while many graduates do not enter
TIE army at all, but follow professional pur-
suits In civil lie In preference to the military
'sreer. The class that will graduate next
or, called the centennial class, will proba-
b. urn out more officers than any class In
or, ,dlng years. The secretary Of the navy
was In favor of reduction of graduates from
AnnapolIs by increasing the term OF study
from four to six years. The appropriation
committee are in favor OF lengthening the
term to isix years, and have embodied this
plan In The naval bill, which Mr.. Hale, OF
Maine, has In charge. There Is but little
doubt of Its meeting the approval of Congress.
It's application, however, would commence
upon those only who enter the Navy Academy
next summer and thereafter?
When Congress assemblies the first thing to
be done will be the investigation Of the Lou
isiana difficulty, when the President Will be
given an opportunity of explaining his slngu-
lar position In the matter. The committee OF
hundred citizens who came here have scat
tered tor the present; portion have gone to
New York, 8. part TO Chicago, ana some 10
ever. the latter part of this week, endorsed
by the moneyed ard business men OF the great
financial and commercial centres TO such an
extent as to command o heari0g by Congress,
which, In it's turn, will call Mister Grant to &C.
count. A most strenuous effort Will also be
made to evade the consideration OF The Credit
Mobiller scandal aud swindle, while despe.
rate exertion to appropriate the telegraph
lines as postal telegraph will be made, In
which these schemers and speculators are
earnestly aided by the administration. The
people will also be called upon, through theII
representatives, for an appropriation of $4.'
600, 900 to extend the improvements and beau.
tihcstlon OF this city, which has already cosl
the district Itself that amount, In addition tC
debt of 81 ESQ, 900. These Two last 'jobs'
will be harvest to the 1lobby." G. G. W.