The New York herald., 1871-02-22
l'recari0us Condition Of Senator
Summers Health. !
Manufacturers Asking a Repeal Of the
Duty on Wool.
The Southern Pacific Railroad
Charter.
What the Pacific Railroad Saves
the National Treasury.

oat WASHINGTON, Feb 21. 1871.
Prccnrious Condition Of Senator Sumner.
The health OF Senator Sumner continues preca.
rious He suffered less to-day than on yesterday,
but his physicians have notified HIM that he cannot
receive company without putting himself In danger
OF relapse He must abstain from all exeltemen,
and secure as much quietness as possible. 1t Is
thought that no will not be able 70 resume his seat
In the Senate again this session. l5tl
The Prohibitory Duty ON Wool.
The Ways and Means Committee had delegation
OF gentlemen before them to-day Interested IN hav.
Ing the duty on wool ana woolen goods reduced.
They made an argument to show that the duty on
wool IL SO high almost to prohibit Its importa-
non. The committee informed them that 1t was
now too late In the session to secure concurrent
Legislation on this question.
The Southern Pa 'iAc Railroad Bin Passed
by the House.
The House, by vote OF nearly two to one, passed
the Southern Pacific Railroad bill to-day reported
from the Committee on the Pacific Railroad. As it
stands the bill provides for trunk road from Mar
shall, Texas to San Diego, California. All the
branch roads are cut OF, together with the land
grants they conveyed This action OF the committee
Is acceptable to the gentlemen interested in the bill
There are certain parties in the Senate interested In
these branch roads who threaten to defeat the bill
Tor the main trunk but IL Is not thought they will
be able to succeed. The bill was very skilfully
managed in the House to-day by MI. Wheeler, Of
sew York. chairman Of the oommiIt". ~. | IN, ~. racine
Railroad the aenlocrais attempted to flbuster, 50
that the bin would be compelled to 60 over; but they
were unable to consume more than two hours, at
the end Of which the bin passed. ,a..-
= The Appropriation Bills.
Mr.. Dawes chairman or the Committee on Appro-
priations, had an order made In the House today,
by which The rules are suspended and the approprl-
alton bills to be considered in the House as in
committee OF the whole. This will facilitate business
considerably ana, far as the House is concerned
there Is now no danger OF any Of the appropriation
bills failing.
The New York scrip Dividend Tax. -;Sr3s
The resolution referred to the Ways and Means
Committee yesterday, directing the Commissioner OF
Internal Revenue to collect, without further delay,
the tax due from the New York Central Railroad
Company on the dividends of It's stock, is not likely
to be acted upon before the close OF the session. The
committee took it up today but was unable to come
to any agreement upon 1t. The general opinion is
that 1t will not be rep orted.
Benefits of the Union PactHs Railroad.
The President has sent a communication to the
Senate in reply to resolution in which he en-
closes the statements of the expenses tue govern
ment for communication, transportation &c. from
1849 to 1854 when the act for the construction Of the
Pacific Railroad passed., from the
10 California, embracing the following States and
Territories, vlz.:-Kansas Nebraska, Nevada, Cali
f0rnia, Utah ana Colorado, for the Indian Office,
$685. 1867. The Secretary OF War says that the en-
tire cost to the military service OF guarding the
overland route, from the Missouri to the Pacific
ocean, was about s1oo,0oo,ooo. This sum is rather
below than above the cost OF the service The Post
master General says that tho cost OF transportation
Of the mails to the Pacific coast and intermediate
points west of the Missouri was not less than
$l4, 5S3 9ss, making 10 al of $l23,507 s65, an
average Of over $500, 900 per annum.
The Executive Mansion
was thrown open to-day 10 visitors, an immense
number Of wEOm are awaiting themselves OF the
opportunity to pass through the East Room and the
different parlors. In the department no business is
being transacted.
Territorial Government for the District.
The President to-day signed the bill to provide q
government for the District Of Columbia.
Republican Congressional Caucus.
The republican members elect Of the Forty-second
Congress nave been requested to meet In caucus in
the Hall Of the Representatives, Thursday, March
e. The object is to select candidates for officers or
tho House.