The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-01-02
WASHINCTON,
Political Perspective and the New
Years 0bservances.
The SANTANA Bay Company Still Seeking
Subsidy from Congress.
Caleb Gushing and Military Etiquette at
the White House.

i
The New Years Reception at the White
House.
The Executive Mansion never presented more
brilliant appearance than 1t did to-day. The East
Room has been rendered more than ever beautiful
IN all its features and the furniture is entirely
new. The Blue Room has also been retOuched both
as to the walls and the furniture, and is regarded
as one of the handsomest drawing rooms in the
country. The mansion was opened for the recep-
ton OF visitors at eleven O'Clock, when President
! and Mrs. Grant took their positions in the
Blue Room. and were assisted by Secre-
tary, Mrs. and Miss Edith Fish; Secretary,
Mrs. and Miss Richardson; Secretary of
War and Mrs. Beknap, Secretary of the Navy and
Mrs. Robson, Attorney General and Mrs. Will
lams. Postmaster General and Mrs. Creswen,
Mrs. Senator Conking, Miss Barnes, and DR.. and
Mrs. Tiffany. Marshal Sharpe and General Bah
cock participated in the presentation ceremony.
Mrs. Grant and Miss Nellie Grant wore black silk
trimmed with Grape, as customary on such Oc-
casions.
The Diplomatic Corps were first received. There
was full representation OF Minister'S with their
respective secretaries and attaches, accompanied
by ladies'. Sir Edward Thornton took precedence
In the presentation, being the dean or senior Min
lister Plenipotentary of the corps, his credentials
ante-dating all others. The Ministers, with few
Polo, the Spanish Minister, wore the uniform of q
rear admiral.
The ladies OF the party were richly attired.
After the Diplomatic Corps took their leave the
Justices OF the Supreme Court Justice clifford In
the advance. were received by the President and
his party, and, succeeding these, q number OF
Senators and Representatives In Congress, the
Governor and other officers of the District govern
ment the Judges OF the District Courts and members
OF the southern Claims Commission, the officers Of
the navy, headed by Admiral Porter and Rear Ad-
miral Sands, and the ondcers Of the army, headed
by Generals Sherman and Whippie, all in full uni
form, were received as separate bodies, and after
they left the mansion the assistant secretaries
Of the several departments, oficers OF the
various bureaus, Comptroliers, Solicitors, Com
mlssi0ners and others paid their respects to the
Presidenr.
At quarter to one O'Clock the Associated Sur.
vivors Of the War Of 1872 and the Associated
Veterans of 1S46 were received. They numbered
about 40. and wore blue badges. Next came the
members OF the Oldest Inhabitants Association
with badges.
At one O'Clock the doors were opened to the
public, and from that hour to two O'Clock P. M. q
continuous throng OF citizens called and shook
hands with the President. The Marine Band
posted in the main vestibule In flaming coats,
furnished the music.
Other OMcial Receptions.
The callers to-day upon the Cabinet Ministers
embraced, al usual, the Judges OF the United States
Supreme Court members Of the Diplomatic Corps
the generals OF the army and star and officers OF
the army and navy generally in Washington, Sem
ators and members Of Congress, heads Of bureaus
In the different departments Of the government
and personal friends and acquantances. There
were numerous other receptions by government
officers and private citizens, botn in Washington
and Georgetown.
Future OF the SANTANA Bay Company.
While the SANTANA Buy Company are at q stand.
still as result Of their failure TO obtain assist
ance either from the administration or Con-
gress thus far, yet they do not give up all hope OF
securing an arrangement to have q United States
government coaling station at SANTANA, and this
privilege has been urgently offered to our govern
ment at Its own terms. Parties connected with
the Dominican government and the SANTANA Bay
Company are strenuously at work for this here
and In New York The new term Of the company's
lease commenced to-day, and on 1t they have
already paid $1,000 on account, which, with the
$3.50, 900 they have already paid, they do not want
to sacrifice. There are two companies respectively
designated as of New York and st. Domingo the
latter being resident OF the island, to comply with
the provisions Of its charter and to control the
named port Passaillaigue, who is in New York,
will shortly come on here to strengthen the new
government OF Gonzales with Grants admlnistra-
ton, and Congress will, it is contended 60 as far
as 1t can to help the project.
President Grants Military System OF
Official Ettquette-Caleb Cushing and
His New appointment.
Martial etiquette regns at the White House.
The President Is De Jdcto as well as de jre "Com-
mandern Chief" with his secretaries as his chiefs
OF staff and Wilson and Blaine commandants OF
two army corps Any ofacial who reports, FREE
quently at headquarters and who ''obeys orders"
promptly cotte QIt coate, Is sure to get on. But
those who do not choose to walk in Executive
sunshine, or VINO undertake at times to be indie.
pendent, are at once consigned to the rank, or
made to perform police duty, which they don't
fancy. One Of the most subordinate and prompt
Of the outside hangers-on to the government has
been Caleb Cushing. Whatever mission he has
been sent on, either to Central America or to
Geneva he has started, accomplished his errand
returned and reported. IL called on to draw q
protocol or q despatch he has executed
the job without any discussion, handed
1t in, and then received his pay therefor
And so when our Spanish relations began to
wear complicated look, with dif1cult questions
remaining after the surrender Of the vrginius the
President determined to SEND Gushing to
straighten out our relations ct Madrid. A brief
note summoned the veteran lawyer to the White
House, where he found the President smoking q
cigar. After the morning compliments had been
exchanged General Grant said:-
general Cushing, want you to 60 to Spain as
our Minister"
''Do you ask me as general or as citizens" re-
sponded Cushing. 'Is 1t request or an order"
ut is an ORDER" said Grant, with q smile. al
don't like the aspect OF AFFAIRS and want you to
20 to Madrid at once"
al will start" replied Cushing, "when the Senate
confirm the nomination."
This Is the kind OF talk our President fancies, and
although 1t may SAVIOR OF what the French Com
munists called n1lttdfrtme, 1t Is better than the
putty policy OF some OF his predecessors. Admiral
Polo Is enchanted with Cushing's appointment,
and thinks that he made good bargain in ex-