Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1869-02-03
HE T TUNNEL.

Representatives, at Washington, on be
llth Of January, we observe tho follow
ing N
Mr.. Ashley, of Nevada, introduced in thd
House to-day n bill to aid and ascertain the
value Of public lands containing mineral
lodes, and for the endowment Of a national
Of mines, which was referred to Com
on Mines and Mining. The preamble
to the bill states that the Comstock lodes in
Nevada are believed to be incxhaustiblc, and
that many millions Of treasure can be saved
only by making the proposed Sutro tunnel.
as this work is beyond the means Of pri-
vate enterprise, the bill proposes that the
Secretary Of the Treasury issue five millions
six per cent. bonds accruing thirty years.
In order to secure against loss, the United
States to have q first mortgage and lien on
thci tunnel and property OF the company.
After the completion OF the main tunnel in
connection with other tunnels, ninety per
cent collected from tolls, drainage, ETC., is
to be paid toward reimbursement, the re-
naming ten per cent. to be devoted to the
endowment Of a national school Of mines.
We are pleased to sec that some
movement is being adopted encourage
ing this measure, which, if consummat-
ed, cannot but result in incalculable ben
eits to this section, rs well as to the
nation. This Sutro Tunnel enterprise
is one which cannot possibly BIO carried
out without the aid Of tho National
Government no more than it was posi-
BILE to build the Pacific Railroad without
it--and rs the nation is to be principal
ly benefited, it behoovcs the nations
representatives, in their official capacity,
to extend whatever aid they can to de-
velop the greatest mining enterprise
ever conceived in this country. OF tho
practicability of the Sutro Tunnel, no
man who has any knowledge Of the
Comstock lode can have the least doubt;
and that it would develop other and
doubtless rich mineral lOdes to the
eastward of the C%omstock, we feel fully
convinced by personal observation. We
were in tho Occidental mino, recently,
which is about two miles east Of the
Comstock, and in nearly a direct range
with the projected Sutro Tunnel, and at
the depth of six hundred feet We saw ms
fine, largo and rich n ledge Of silver
bearing orc Except perhaps the Com
stock) as can be found in the country.
~Outcroppings to the eastward of the
Occidental range, for miles, also indi-
cate other lodges of gold and silver ore.
Tho Sutro Tunnel would open up n
new era in mining in this section; as it
would tap the millions of hidden wealth
low down in the bowels of the earth,
and at their supposed lowest levels, and
reveal to tho naked eye at once when
penetrated, and save the many millions
which it has cost in sinking from tho
surface on the Comstock from n similar
expenditure to prospec. and develop tho
mineral deposits to the eastward Of it.
We favor the Sutro Tunnel enterprise
because VIC believe it will result, if it is
carried out, in n vast and incalculablc
benefit to the State, the nation, and to
this community. We hope Mr.. Ashley's
bill will receive that consideration Mt
the hands of Congress which its impor-
lance demands. AS q State we need
more people, more wealth, and more
prosperity. A new era is about dawn
ing upon us-new and rich mineral dis
tricts are being discovered mud dcvel-
opcd-and thousands of people in the
Eastern, Middle, and Western States
are preparing to emigrate to tho State
of Nevada within the next ycar-bring-
ing with them money, capital and labor,
to remain here il inducements sufficient
are extended 10 them. The Comstock
lode is now principally owned by CAPT.
~talists, and new corners with moderate
means have but u poor show to make
Investments. Let the Sutro Tunnel
commence its operations, and it would
open m entirely new mining region
where thousands of the new corners
could proli,ably put in their labor and
their capital for the general good. But
no company or corporation on the Pacific
coast can raise money enough to do
VIVA. is contemplated by the Sutro Tun-
uel-and if this gigantic enterprise is
accomplished it must DO done by Gov
ernment aid; or else the wealth which
lies hidden in the earth will remain
hidden perhaps for centuries. Now is
the time TO begin the accomplishment
Of this great work.-for it is extremely
doubtful whether tho real wealth of the
great Comstock lode will ever be re-
yealed to mankind without the aid Of
the Sutro Tunnel.