The New York herald., 1874-12-19
Interesting Stage Of the Investigation Of the
Pacific Mail Scandal.
DEMOCRATIC SENATORS DRILLING.
The President Accused or a Back
Pay Plot.
THE CONTINENTAL FREIGHT ROUTE
FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENTS

WASHINGTON, Dec. Is, 1874.
A WRONGLY DIRECTED SOCIAL INVITATION FROM
MR. WOOD REACHES coLoRED COLLEAGUE
rABzEAU! REPUBLICAN ALARM AND DEMO
CRATIC DIsGUsT-THE KoNoRs TO KING
DAVID KALAKAUA.
There was q sudden commotion in the House
this afternoon, with signs OF distress among the
democrats and OF conservation among the re-
pubncans. Members whispered together, with
anxious faces and few OF the more excltabe
rushed over to Mr.. Ransier, the colored member
from south Carolina, and were presently seen re-
treating, with Indignation or fright on their faces
according as they were democrats or republicans.
The paper in Mr.. Ransier's hands, which produced
these effects, was an invitation from Mr.. Fernando
Wood TO dine with HIM, to meet q few choice
democratic spirits, which Mr.. Ransler had re-
ceived that morning. There has been q rumor
fOr some days that the democrats meant In due
time to capture the colored vote, and the repuo-
ncans, seeing this invitation, naturally concluded
that The perndious and fatal work had begun.
Nor, in their present demoraliZed condition, were
they reassured by Mr.. Ransier's earnest protesta-
tion that nothing should swerve him from the
path OF duty and repubhcanism, and that he was
Just then engaged on q letter politely declining
Mr.. Woods invitation; not that he objected to Mr..
WOOu's SOClcty, uut buat Ills pOutiCdi CouISC Hdu
long been such as to make it embarrassing to Mr..
Ransier to visit or dine with him.
On the other hand, the democrats, good many
OF whom look forward to the SpeaKership, or to a
comm ittee, and some OF whom have a great
opinion OF Mr.. Woods fertility OF resource, were
also demoralized. They thought IL rather sharp
practice, and some OF the profane began to use
strong language; several OF them went over to
Mr.. Ranslers seat and satisfied themselves that
the invitation was really from Mr. Wood, and they
returned TO their own side OF the House more as
ronlshed than pleased. At last, the excitement
grew too overpowering, and a member. bolder
than the rest, was despatched to hunt up Wood
and ask him what in thunder he meant. In i've
minutes both sides OF the House looked happier,
for Wood, after q moment OF puzzle, exclaimed,
'sCOnfound it, that's where Ransom's invitation
went, OF course ~ 1t turned out that 1t was Gen.
eral Ransom, OF Georgia, and not Mr.. Ransier, OF
South Carolina who had been asked to dine, and
that the invitation had been obscurely directed
and had gone astray. There was general feeling
OF relief on both sides OF the House when this mis-
take was discovered.
Aside from the little panic in the House else
where related the day had but one notable event,
the visit Of King Kalakaua to the Capitol. He was
dressed in plain black suit and showed an erect
and soldierly figure. When the Speaker politely
alluded, IN his address, to Kalakaua's wisdom and
Senencence as ruler and his exalted virtues as
man the poor King. who has heard some ugly lam
guage from pretty lively opposition at home,
was for q moment amazed, but evidently con-
cluded to accept the compliment
The reception OF the King at the White House
this evening is very brilliant Many OF the foreign
Ministers in full Uniform, are also the army
and navy ofncers and the Kings stan and as the
company Is rigidly select there being but 00invi
tati0ns issued the toilets OF the ladies' being brill
iant the affair is one OF the most splendid imagin-
able.
me day mas, on the WHOLE been social and not
POLITICAL
FROM OUR REGULAR CORRESPONDENT.