Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1876-01-05
Society and Personal.

ell corners with their bright smiles and
agreeable converse.
Mrs. Thomas BY an was once more a home
to her friends in the quaint drawing rooms
of Highland place. A hearty welcome home
was given her by all those who had so de-
plOTCd her prolonged absence. Mr.. Bryan
was present, joining with his customary ami
nation in all the merry chit-chat.
Mrs. Wylie was surrounded by a pleasant
group Of friends all the afternoon.
Mrs. Ward and Miss Stewart were kept
busily engaged during the afternoon inter
changing happy New Year greetings with
the large number of ladies and gentlemen
Who thronsed Their pleasant parlOrs.
Business was very activein Georgetown in
the way of making and receiving calls.
Among those seen at the various receptions
here and in Georgetown mi ght Re mentioned
the japanese minister and Mrs. GoShida,
Mrs. Johnson, Miss Johnson and Miss Key;
Miss Phillips, Miss DCuge, Mrs. Sheriff. and
her bright young daughter, q de610d7t'e, Mrs.
harrington, Mrs. and Miss GOuveneur, Mrs.
Morsell, and many others prominent in
society.
Mr. aud Mrs Fernando Wood, Miss Wool.
and Mrs. G: III. Hickok, have arrived and
are at Mr.. Woods residence, S25 18th street.
The ladies receive on Wednesday.
Last evening was delightful one to the
guests who then enjoyed the hospitality of
Mr.. and Mrs. Edward Fitzgerald Beale.
The BachelOr's GERMAN" will assemble
ell that is fairest and brigh lest in society at
Marini's this evening.
Many of those who called on Mrs. Bryan
yesterday asked TO see the paintings of Miss
the wonderful talent displayed by the youth
ful artist. One of her finest productions
hangs in the parlor at Judge Wylie's,
aunt. Miss Bryan will not enter society
this winter.
The fascination American ladies possess
for foreigners is abundantly proved at pre-
sent by the number of ladies in the dipIO-
matte corps who are natives OF our own be-
loved land. Madame Mariscal, the wife of
the Mexican minister; Madame Dar1on, the
bride of the minister from Guatemala, Sal
vaGOr, and Honduras; Madame BaltaZzi,
the wife of the Turkish secretary of legation,
and Madame Hegermanr, the bride OF the
Danish minister, are all handsome and &C
complished Americans.
Miss Nettie Manning purposes spending
the winter with her aunt, Mrs. Powell. She
arrived before New Year, and received with
Mrs. Powell on the first day of the year.
WHEN Mr.. MAYNARD was chairman of
the Banking and Currency Committee last
year, he demanded, and Mr.. Dawes yielded
the point, that all matters, bills, resolu-
tons, &c, including also the portion of the
Presidents message applicable to the re-
demption of specie payment, should go to
the Banking and Currency Committee. The
Ways and Means Committee to-day in re-
porting for distribution the Pres idents mes
sage, ordered that all such matters be re-
ferred TO the Ways and Means Committee,
and left fOI the Banking and Currency Com
mittee only the question of the resumption
of specie payment by the national banks,
taking away from IL the consideration of the
general question of resumption altogether.
Mr.. kasson called the attention of Chairman
Cox to the matter, but he made no effort to
have the action of the Ways and Means
Committee overruled.
WANTS TO REDUCE EXPENSES TO THE
TOME OF FoRTY-THREE MILLIoN.-Judge
Holman, who is second on the Committee on
Appropriations OF the House, stated to-day
that after a careful examination OF all the
estimates now before the committee, it is
manifest that the expenses of the govern
ment for the next fiscal year can be reduced
at least forty three million dollars. He pro-
poses in the items of river and harbor and
public buildings alone to cut down the esti-
mates eight million. In the estimates for the
Post Office department heavy reduction is
also To be made. chiefly in the items of post
masters salaries and the free delivery of
letters. The law now provides that in all
cities OF 10000 Inhabitants there shall be free
delivery. 1t is proposed to limit the free de-
livery system 20 cities of not less than $1,000
inhabitants. The next heavy reduction is TO
be made in the estimates for the army. 1t
is PROBABLE that the committee will recon-
mend reduction of the army To 1900 men,
with cor. espOnding reduction in the STAFF
and general officers. The estimates for the
Iddian bureau will also be largely reduced.
1t remains 10 be seen whether the House
and Senate will sustain the recommended
uonS of the committee; but majority of
the latter propose TO advocate the above re.
auctions strongly on The door of the House.
NAVAL EXPENSES IN CoNGEEss.-An
examination OF the estimates for appropria-
tons for the Navy department, now before
the House Committee on Appropriations,
shows that there is no deficiency for money
supposed to have been expended by the Sec
Rotary OF the Navy in fitting out vessels of
the navy. The impression has gone abroad
that the busy note of preparation" which
was heard in all the navy yards for several
no nTlh liTnD nF
involved the department in heavy expendi-
lures beyond the regular appropriation, and
1t was supposed the Secretary would ask for
an appropriation to cover the deficiency.
The fact is, there is no deficiency on this &C
count. All the money expended was taken
from savings from the regular appropriation,
which the Secretary judiciously used to put
the vessels of the navy in an efficient condi-
tiOn. With regard TO the proposed "cutting
down" of the appropriations for the navy, 1T
is understood that Secretary Robson will
not interpose any objection. He takes the
ground that II the efficiency of the service is
impaired by the proposed action OF the dem
ocrais in Congress, the responsibility will
rest with them, and not with him or the de-
partment. He proposes to run the depart
ment, while he is at the head of il, upon
whatever funds Congress chooses to give
him. He has no idea of mourning any re-
sponsibility in the matter OF defiWenclcs.
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THE PRESIDENCY OF THE SENATE Pro
TEMPoRE.-The Senate Committee on Privi-
leges and Elections held another meeting
this morning to further consider the resolu-
ton offered by Mr.. Edmunds before the
holiday recess providing for the election OF
PRESIDENT OF the Senate pro teJlpOye on the
lth instant. A long discussion ensued; and
the committee adjourned to meet again to-
morrow morning. A majority of the COM
mittee present this m0raing Hogan, McMiI-
Ian and salisbury were absent held that
the, precedent in the case of Hon. Jesse ID,
Bright, elected president OF the Senate pro
tenn, vice Fillmore, who became Presii emf OF
the United states by the death Of President
Taylor, in 1856, was the correct one TO follow.
On the 9th OF June, In the year named. Mr..
Bright wrote note to Senator Charles +.
Stuart saying that he must be absent a short
time, and asking him to take his place as
presiding officer. The right OF Mr.. Bright TO
delegate his powers being questioned, q dis
cussion and an election followed, but Mr..
Stuart was finally elected in place of Mr..
Bright. On the return of the latter to
resume his duties as President pro tenn
his authority TO do SO was doubted. and
the result was new election, Mr.. Bright
being again chosen. 1t is understood that all
OF the republicans on the committee hold that
Mr.. Ferry not having been absent during the
sessions of the Senate, has never forfeited
his right as presiding officer, and conse-