New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-04-02
CURRENT TOPICS AT THE CAPITAL.

WASHINGTON, Wednesday, April l, 1874.
Times have changed somewhat since Committee
of the House brought in bill appropriating several
millions of dollars to finish boring Mr.. Adolph Su
tro's tunnel Nevada, and Gen. Banks supported
tho project with his sonOrous and graceful elo-
uuence. The face of Mr. Sutro is still seen in the
Hobbies, but his dream of magnificent subsidy has
vanished and he seeks only to defend the privi-
leges he already possesses He has just beaten of an
attack by the Bank of California, in combination
with the mining companies upon the Comstock lode
under whose claims he is running his tunnel when,
il successful would have ruined his enterprise The
fight had been going on IN the morning hour Ill the
House for over a week. and had brought out great
deal of excited talk from the California and Nevada
members who were hostile to Sutro, and from Mr.
Negley of Pennsylvania, who insisted that his inter
ests should not be sacrificed The bill was one in
relation to the patenting of mining claims, but all
the debate turned upon Mr. Sutro and his tunnel.
which the real object of the measure apparently
to DESTROY Amendments offered by Messrs Holman
and Negley, saving Mr.. SutrOs rights, were put upon
the bill when il last before the House, ana TO-
day the Pacific coast members tired to secure "a
reconsideration so as TO vote them Off. Failing in
this they attempted to Kill their own BILL which
they had at first pretended was measure OF public
importance. In this move they were defeated. and
the bill as amended was passed.
THE HOWARD INQUIRY.
In the Howard court to-day the testimony of the
clerks in the Second Auditors Office continued
as to the manner of disbursing money under the
Freedman's Bureau. Mr. Sims. the chief of one of
the divisions in the Auditors Office, stated
that he did not think Gen. Howard
could have known or rect6ed the mistakes
of other discussing officers for which he
was held responsible. The Judge-Advocate made
an argument favoring a motion that he submitted.
reading the opinions of the Third Auditor and
Second Controller as part of his argument, wherein
these officials decided that accounts could not be
opened except when errors or frauds were shown,
and even then it was customary to open supplement
tary accounts The motion was to have several
Commissioners appointed by the Depart
ment Commanders to visit the claim
ants who have made complaint and
take testimony under OATH to be forwarded for the
use OF the Court this to be done in the ia pre-
sented. Gen. Howard, by counsel. said that no man
in any court could be condemned by the affidavit of
a complainant. The motion of the Judge Advocate
was then amended to take full testimony III
each case. The court adjourned while the cOnsid
GRAFTON of this case was pending.
THE CENTENNIAL EXHIBITION.
Since the people of Philadelphia have shown a dis
position to help themselves in the matter of the
Centennial, there begins to be much more kindly
feeling in Congress towards the undertaking. The
opposition to making an appropriation for holding
the international fair is still strong but the opinion
is expressed by a number Of influential members
that if the Centennial Commissioners, with the aid
afforded them by Pennsylvania and by the City of
Philadelphia 20 with the work of erecting build
ings and organizing the preimnares of the Exhibi-
ton during the present season, Congress will
to their help next session, if they get embarrassed.
When the holding OF some kind of an exhibition,
national or international, without Government aid
is assured, and when public interest is aroused in
the work. Congress will not refuse, il is argued TO
to give assistance to make the enterprise thor
Oughly creditabe TO the country.
REPLY TO THE SOUTH CAROLINA TAX-PAY-
Frs MEMORIAL.
Representative Rainey presented TO the House TO-
day reply to the memorial of the South Carolina
Tax Payers Convention, prepared by the Repub
hcan Central Committee of that State. As members
of the Ring that has been punderng the people for
years in the most shameless way these men exhibit
a good deal of audacty in thus rushing to Congress
with lame attempt TO defend what everybody
knows admits of no defense About all they are
able 70 say in reply to the evidence the taxpayers
hiring TO prove them 10 be thieves il to shout in
rpply that their accuseTs are Rebels, who brought
ali their troubles upon themselves.
WASHINGTON NOTES.
WASHINGTON, Wednesday, April ], 1874