New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-05-17
SUMMARY OF A FORTNIaHTs NEWS.

These are all the particulars we can now give.
SUMMARY OF A FORTNIGHTS NEWS.
From The Alta California, AIrl2l.
The apprehensions that were entertained few
weeks since Of unusual dry this year. have
been dispeed by the fall of copious showers during
the last Fortnight The effect of these opportune rains
has been felt throughout the State, and in every de-
partment of business affairs and particularly with the
farmers and miners. This visitation of the watery
element does not however, entirely remove the gloom
that ss upon business prospects, and shows that the
very general dulness of trade and commercial matters
is not alone chargeabe to the absence Of our usual
winter showers.
The construction of road of come kind across the
continent, to encourage and facilitate immigration to
this State is believed to be almost indispensable TO
our prosperity, and the project of building wagon
road-which it is thought, will be of great service to
u.s. and hasten the commencement and completion of q
raiway-has again been sincerely considered: Seve-
raj meetings have been held committees appointed, to
solicit the names Of memOriasts to Congress for an
appropriation to this object and petition will 60 for
ward in this steamer embracing the names of fifty
thousand persons, asking Of Congress some immediate
action in this matter.
The people of Marysville are again moving in the
matter of constructing railroad from that city to some
point in the Bay of San Francisco as near the city as
possible. 1t s believed the present efforts will be pro-
ductive of something more than talk and meaningless
resolutions.
The first blow has been struck upon the Atlantic
and Pacific Railroad at the terminus in San Francisco
company has been organized, stock subscribed con-
tract awarded, and the work actually commenced upon
a road to extend from this city to Mission Dolores,
distance Of about three miles, and in the direction Of
San jose and in the line of the contemplated route of
the future railway by which we shall be connected
with our brethren on the Atlantic.
The Legislature is still in session. but has agreed by
Joint resolution to dissolve the 2lst inst. Nothing
of special interest has been transacted since the sailing
of the last steamer In the House joint resolution
was ADOPTED to go into joint convention to elect u
s. Senator but It lost in the Senate by vote of
l6 to IS the election is certainly defeated for this
session.
county of San Francisco has been passed by both
Houses, and only awaits the approval of the Execu-
tive to become law. Propositions for funding the
State Indebtedness and that Of San Francisco county
are before the Legislature, and both Will undoubtedly
be agreed upon
personal rencounter occurred between Messrs.
Borlahd and Williams of Eldorado, both members of
the lower House. the 18th inst, in the Orleans Ho-
tel, in which the former seriously wounded by
pistol shot, which penetrated the lungs, and was at
st thought to be fatal but the injured man is fast
recovering.
The Charter election of Sacramento on the 9TH inst.
resulted in the election Of the entire Democratic ticket
with the exception of two unmportant offices.
The Republicans claim to have decided the result by
giving their support to the successful ticket The lat
ter party are organizing throughout the State, and
have called State Convention to assemble on the
30th inst. at Sacramento, to perfect their organization
and elect delegates to the National Convention.
The great feature of ntetest in San francisco, has
been the serious consideration by the Common Coun-
Gil to grant TO Mess. Dennis Parsons and Others, the
right of wharfage and dockage Of the entire water
front of the city for term of twenty years, in con-
sideration of the grantees constructing sea wall or
bulk head, upon plan proposed by themselves. The
wharfage receipts said to be $500 900 per annum
and at this rate land it will be far more in future the
twelve and half millions, while it is thought the
wall be built for three millions. 1t Is giganti,
scheme and on its presentation looked quite plausible
and net the approval of several members of the Coun-
ci but upon reflection the chances of obtaining the
| grant not 30 favorable.
| The bark Emily Banning, having on board sub
marine apparatus and diving bells recently arrived in
our harbor from the coast of Lower California, where
she has been engaged in testing the machinery in the
pear fishery Since her arrival here, two days have
been spent in testing the apparatus and several per
sons we've invited to visit the bottom of the bay in the
bells and were highly grated with the excursion and
the operations of the machinery Should the bulk head
| project succeed it is thought there will be demand
| Tor this apparatus in laying the foundation walls
| Our Chinese residents have held grand religious
festival upon more expensive and magnificent scale
than before in this country, during the last fort
night The usual ceremonies Of adoring and worship
ing their wooden gods were Observed and all the
forms of dolatary fully carried out as in their own
land and this tOo within the shadow OF the temples
of Christianity.
The merchants of the city have been making some
efforts to suppress the system of private coinage which
exists among us, and are taking steps to call into the
encouraged and fostered by the Bankers, but expert.
enee has taught them that the step was an unadvised
one. ,
Nothing Of moment has been done in the affairs of
Adams & Co.. in the Courts. A. A. Cohen, the late
Receiver and reputed defauter, is s confined In JAIL
on account Of the defalcation, and Is said to be ser
ously indsposed in consequence OF bus imprisonment
His family arrived from NewYork in the last steamer
The Fund Commissioners Of the Bond Of 1851, have
filed new Bonds with tie city authorities in compl-
ance with the order of Judge Norton Of the Twelfth
District Court, and the same have been approved by
the Council.
Strenuous efforts are being made to get Funding
bill passed by the present Legislature to fund the scrip
or city Indebtedness rejected by the Board OF Exanin-
ers which amounts to about 900, 900. The Supreme
Court has recently decided in the case of the Gas Com
PAW VS. The City, in suit for the payment of gas
bills, and which claim rejected by the Board OF
Examiners, that the rejection by the Board was no bar
to their recovery and the sent back for re-
hearing upon its merits. Most of the rejected claims
will stand upon the same footing.
THE CHINESE FESTIVAL.
(From The Alta California;
We dispatched reporter yesterday morning 10 DC
present the opening Of the grand ceremonies OF the