Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1873-02-13
FORTYs SECOND CONGRESS
This Afternoon's PrOceeAings
THURSDAY, February II.

SENATE.-Mr. Conkling presented concur-
rent resolutions Of the legislature Of New York
demonstrating against the reduction Of pensions
of certain retired army officers.
Mr.. Wright presented petition Of prominent
citizens OF Iowa for passage of a soldiers home
stead bill, and inquired OF the chairman OF the
committee on public lands mir. PomerOy)
whether the bill was likely to be soon re-
ported.
MI. Pomeroy said he could not anticipate the
action of the committee.
The bill concerning the transportation OF
mer. handise In bond was Indefinitely post
Mr.. Pratt, from committee on pensions. re-
ported adversely TO granting pensions to
Soldisrs IN the war of 1872 OF less than % DAYS
service.
Mr.. Stewart introduced bin to provide for the
appointment OF a board of commissioners e.
!eyise system Of irrigation for the San
Joaquin and Tulare valleys.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Mr..
Dawes tMass.) offered a resolution, which was
adopted, that a committee of two ON the part of
he House, with such the Senate may select
o Join them, BE- appointed to await upon 4. s.
Grant, Of Illinois, and Henry Wilson, OF Massa-
chusetts, and inform them OF their election to
he offices OF President and Vice President and
he Speaker appointed the two gentlemen who
Ictea as teilers yesterday-Messrs. Dawes and
Beck (ky.) as such committee.
On motion OF Mr.. Dawes, the committee on
ways and means were authorized TO send for
persons and papers in the examination OF bust
ness referred to them by the House.
Mr.. Van Trump (ohio) asked but failed 10 OBJ
tain unanimous consent to offer a resolution ex-
ending the Investigation OF the Wilson com
nittee over the Kansas Pacific, Sioux CITY and
Pacific, and Fort Scott and Little Rock railroad
companies.
Mr.. Shanks, lind, from the conference com
nittee ON the bill providing for the sale Of GER
tain Indian lands in New York, submitted a re-
port, which was concurred in.
Mr.. Beatty, (Ohiol from the committee on
printing, submitted report on the subject of
printing the debates OF Congress, with a resolu-
ion directing the public printer 10 contract with
w. j. Muftagh for the publication, which were
ordered printed and recommitted, Mr.. Beatty
10 morrow, or a. soon thereafter as possible
The House then, in the morning hour, pro-
ceeded to the consideration Of bills reported
rom the committee on mines and mining
Mr.. Waldron (NIich.) reported Senate bill IN
relation 10 mineral lands, which was passed.
Mr.. Banks Mass reported a bill to aid i'm the
CONSTRUCTION OF THE sUTEo Tunnel,
rom the proceeds Of the sales of mineral lands
with an amendment i'm the nature Of a substi-
tute. THE bill provides for a loan of two mil
,ions OF dollars TO the Sutro tunnel company, on
taking first mortgage upon the tannel.l
Mr.. Banks addressed the House upon the inn
portance and value of the enterprise which he
looked upon az one of vast importance to the
country. He argued that there was a difference
between proposition TO give government aid
for temporary purpose and permanent assist
ahce. a pan Oh this KIND he urged could not
he met by any constitutional scruples. The
Comstock lode he said was the richest and
largest in the world, having yielded i'm the inn
perfect way its worked over a hundred and
forty millions, and with the proposed tunnel it
would yield from thirty to fifty millions an
nually. The vein he said was four of five miles
IN length Of the width of Pennsylvania avenue.
from which some idea may be formed of it,
richness. He explained the present method OF
mining at the lode, and showed the increasing
Of drainage As the miners went down. What
lsxa.Ix a..
adopted in Europe, and by a tunnel drain these
veins below.