Wilmington daily commercial., 1875-01-04
FIRST EDITION.
WASHIN GT0N.
OUR REGULAR WEEKLY LETTER.

oFFfcERs-soclErY LIFE AT THE CAPITAL--FUS-
ERAL OF GEN. MORGAN L. sMITH--TnEAsuRER
spINNERs REsIGNATioN PRESIDENTS sU
pRENE COURT RECOMMENDATIONS, nc.
Especial Correspondence of the Commercially
WAsHINaToN, ID. o., Jan. 2.
New Years day opened in a most promising
manner for the observance of it's ceremonies,
and many hearts, young and old, were made glad
at the cheering prospect of bright sunny time
for their participation in its festivities. But al
as it is the fate of us poor human mortals that
we are doomed to disappointment, many times
when least we anticipate it. So it happened
New Years day. Scarcely had the streets began
to be enlivened and the city to wear the proper
aspect for the day when all around the horizon
long black clouds made their appearance
and ere the hour of noon had ar
rived quite a brisk snow storm set in
and continued at intervals, the weather
increasing steadily in coldness until evening
approached when sharp sprinkle of hail and
sleet coated the payements to an extent that
rendered .pedestrianism somewhat difficult and
many a well-dressed specimen descended I'M
ceremoniously to the ground, accompanying the
fall by short, sharp, ejaculation. Later IN the
evening the streets were 30 bad that hackmen de-
cned to drive their customers, and finally the
street cars ceased running, land the upucky outs
we're forced to make home as best they could.
If ever good beginning made bad ending
it surely was the weather on the LIST OF January,
1875. Notwithstanding the above it must not be
inferred that the day was not fully observed, for
there was quite AZ much calling done, at least
until evening" AZ upon any previous occasion of
the kind within the knowledge OF your cores
pondent. The reception at the White House
was, az is customary, the official opening of the
day. Pursuant to announcement, at IL o'clock,
the President received the Cabinet and Foreign
Ministers at 11.30 the Judges of the Supreme
Court of the United States, Senators and Repre-
sentatives, Judges of the Supreme Court OF the
District Of Columbia and the Court of Claims /;
at II o'clock the Officers of the Army and Navy !;
at H. 80 the Assistant Secretaries of the Depart
ments the Assistant Postmasters Genera, ,Sollci-
tor General and Assistant Attorneys General and
the heads of bureaus in the several Departments;
at H. i5 p M. the associated soldiers of the war
of 1912, the associated veterans of 1916, and the
members of the Oldest Inhabitants Association
OF this CITY,
From to 2 o'clock P. M. the public were re-
ceived. The Marine Band was at its post in the
yestibue and performed the first of several pieces
'Hail to the Chief, upon the entrance of the Pre-
sident and family into the Blue lioom. Secretary
of State Fish was the first to address the Presi.
dent. He was accompanied by Mrs Fish and
his three daughters, Mrs. Benjamin. Mrs. Web
ster and Miss Edith Fish They were followed
by Secretary of Navy Robeson and Mrs. Robeson,
Secretary of Treasurer Bristow and Mrs. Bris-
tow, Secretary of Interior Delano and Mrs. De-
Jewell, and Attorney General Williams and Mrs.
Williams, Secretary of War Belknap was not ac-
companied by Mrs. BellnapA Sir. Edward
Thornton, British Minister as senior, led the
Diplomatic Corps which was fully represented
as was also the Army and Navy. The gold lace
and decorations of the Diplomatic Corps and
the bright, shining epauletted uniforms OF the
Army aud Navy officers made beautiful show,
and when taken in connection with the elegant
and handsome toilettes of the ladies the oHect
was truly brilliant.
Mrs Grant was arrayed in black velvet trim
med with lace, with white roses in her hair
Mrs Secretary Fish wore a handsome black SILK
with a red bow i'll the hair, and diamonds Mrs.
Robeson wore pearl colored silk Mrs. Attor-
ney General Willisms blue silk Mrs. Jewell
green silk trimmed with lace, and Miss Jewell
grey over pink silk and a sash of rose color
Mrs Fred Grant woro lavender colored silk
and lace overdress. There were also present
Mrs. Senator Stewart Miss Frelinghuysen, the
wife of the Japanese Minister, Madame Freyre
and daughter, and others, all of whom were
richly and tastefully apparelled.
The Presidential reception was followed I'M
mediately by those of the Cabinet ministers, all
of whom, with the exception of the Secretary of
war, received from / o'clock to o'clock Z. NJ
Secretary and Mrs. Fish were assisted by their
daughters before mentioned. and were Kept
busy welcoming the numerous callers. Post
master General and Mrs. Jewell were assisted by
Miss Jewell, and for their first reception had n
host of visitors Mr. and Mrs. Secretary Bris-
Tow Wero assisted Dy hllsb Nhunle BflbboW dHu
Mrs. Gen. Marcy. Secretary and Mrs. Delano
were assisted by Miss Delano, Mrs. Josephs
Mrs. Senator Allison, Mrs. Ames aud Miss Rus
sell. Mr.. and Mrs. Attorney General Williams
we're assisted by Miss ltisley Seward, Mrs. Cen
eral Hillyer, Mrs. Upton and Miss Smith, daugh-
ter of Genl. Il. Kilby Smith. At all of these re-
ceptions there were elaborate set outs, beautiful
tables bountfully laden with substantials and
delicaces of every description, and there. as well
as at the ma iority OF private receptions, coffee
nd rl,n pluta bp Df
of liquors. plain or mixed. Certainly, OF late
years, old King Alcohol has been decidedly cut
at these festive occasions and 1T is to be hoped
that before many more he will be entirely dis
carded.
The season may be said now to be fairly
opened. Weddings, receptions, Germans, tea
parties, and evening entertainments are an
noupced from every quarter, and the prospect
for short and gay season is most fatterlng.
The principal wedding just now to be is that of
Admiral Porters son Theodore, Lieutenant in
the Navy, and Miss Bessie Mason, daughter OF
Judge Mason, of Virginia. Miss Mason s re-
puted to be one of Virginia's most charming and
cultivated daughters. Miss Alice Poore, daugh-
ter of the well known journalist Ben Perley
Poore, will also soon be welded to DIR. Boone
Tylor young physician of Georgetown. Ad-
miral and Mrs. Porter gave German on New
Years night to their daughter which was excep-
tionally fine and was participated in by a num-
ber of the young folks of the families of the
fashionable circle.
The funeral of General Morgan IL. Smith, who
died 10 suddenly in Jersey City, took place from
his residence hero this afternoon. Rev. DR..
Tiffany Of the Metropolitan NJ. i. church oflicl-
ated, and the LIST regiment National Guard,
headed by the Marine Band, acted as an escort.
He was inferred at Oak Hill Cemetry, George
town, and a large number of prominent persons
were present.
Rumor is current to-day of the approaching
resignation of Treasurer Spinner, Different
versions of the cause thereof are given. Gem
eral Spinner states it has been his desire for
sometime past to retire, the delicate state OF his
| health not admitting OF his attending to his dll-
| ties as he DESIRES On the other hand 1t IL well
known that difference has existed between
| the Secretary of the Treasury and him relative
| to the appointment of persons employed i'll his
Office i he contendng that, rasmuch AZ he is by
law held responsible for any losses that may oc-
cur in his office, he should have thesprivilege of
selecting his subordinates. In this view the
Secretary does not concur, AZ the Office is a
branch of the Treasury and like all others under
| his control as regards appointments. Moreover,
| Congress has upon every occasion of loss in the
Treasurer's office relieved him by special act,
and the responsibility therefore is only nominal.
| The Presidents recommendation for an IN
| crease of the members of the supreme Court
| will most likely be acted upon during the pres
| ent session of Congress in order to enable 1t to
more rapidly give attention to the business COM
ing before it. 1t is proposed to increase the
| number from nine to fourteen and apportlon
| the business. Thus.a certain number OF Justices
| to sit in patent cases, a certain number IN