Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-05-19
Mr.. Sutro's Lecture. ON m,.,.~

MI ouuo II not n lecturer by profession.
His sPI esrance upon the lecture platform 70
for the purpose Of making the public familiar
with the claims and merits OF q great enter
prise In which he lie eng gagged, and In which the
whole country n interested. Thie especially a.
most persistent and INSCRIPTIONS efforts have
been made by persons whose acts are not worthy
oil the exalted positions they occupy. 20 yllify
his character, impugn his motives aud place
him before the world IN the attitude OF a
visionary or an imDostor. He has a right,
therefore, 10 call upon the public TO appear and
give attention 20 that which II at once a yindi-
cation OF himself, and an illustration OF q great
Hoik In which he has invested his fortune ana
hls energies work equal in magnitude % Aay
which has been undertaken by private enter,
prise IN this age and country, and perhsus in
any other-and 10 h not 20 be believed that a
lustice-loving public will fail 70 continue 20
afford him an audience.
In al the ages OF the world science has been
compelled 10 contend with prescien-e better
snd more economical with worse and m 1re
wastetul processes, and established Interests
with new undertakings by which their profits
may be temporarily diminished. Mr.. Sutro an
pears before the public as the prscticsi repre-
sentative Of the latest discoveries and beet
knowle dye In the science or mining-the art OF
developing and making available, ia the high
est ratio and At the least expense, tue miner al
treasure s which, by occult forces acting in In
comprehensive ways, millions OF ases 400
were hidden away In the deep caves
and assures OF the earth. Within com
parsuvely lew years the continent OF
North America has taken the lead OF All "a.
world in the production OF the precious m stsls
Science and experience together have made IL
clear that in respect TO the richness and abund-
ance OF its mineral deposits IL Is altogether un-
riyaled. Under the Influence OF these discOy-
cries mining has become one OF our great ma
tlonal lnd ustTles. Not only so, but IL hss been
made pslpable 10 all who have examined the
subject that mining in the United states is vet
in Its Infancy, and that nothing L. wanting 70
ne almost Indefinite increase but tue proper ap-
plcation TO its processes of msxims which rea-
son and experience have established
The ComstOck lode Ia the state Of Nevada Is
the Iicht Il and most extensive deposit Of silver
ore known 10 the world. A vast chasm in a
mountain range, in some remote period Of the
pact, IL filed with the matriN from which this
Ireclons metal is extracted. The problem of
Tie highest Interest 20 the country l., how this
wonderful treasure chest NAV be NJ ade 10 Weld
up Its contents In such a manner that the great
est possible quantity could be realized with the
grestest possible economy. THIS problem Mr..
Sutro devoted himself 20 solve: not Ia eOreti-
cally alone, but practically. That whlch he
believed be WAS willing 10 risk his fortunes In
an attempt TO verify. Out OF this grew tho
project OF the great tunnel-an enterprise than
which, since the Erie canal or the nrst railroad
none has encountered more of that opp0st ttOn
which Is begOtten OF interest and sustained by
Popular lgio' ance, or upon the author OF which
has been cast 50 much OF unmeritsd abuse ant
ohloGuy.
The 'Sutro tunnel is simply the practical
Application OF the plainest principles OF eng-
neeIiDg science 20 the development OF mineral
wealth. A demonstration of It's ecsBOmical ' llue
depends solely upon the proposition that d Is
easier and cheaper 20 discharge the water, the
mineral, and the rubbish Of a mining 50 aft
through the bottom than TO litt them by cost v and
precarious processes TO the top. This-ifit needed
any ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS lecture of Nj SutnO
makes clear beyond the possibility Of contra
dictOn. But Ter moro than this, mis- lectures
are valuable and interesting. In these DAYS OF
popular education, what information can be
more useful than that which relates 90 the
resources and industries OF the country? A
man who has studied mining both a. 3 science
and practical art, who rs an enthusiast
in his calling and the embodiment of
wonderful energy in its application, IL able 20
infuse into bis subjects sn interest sucb as no
array OF dry details can inspire. The su olimity
Of the region, the wonderful character OF its
geological formations, the curious combination
OF mineral elements, ell md place In his lee
lures and are illustrated In bis pictures aud da-
grams, as well as the vast collections OF ma
clinery and the strange habits and manners OF
a mining population.
Members of Congress and citizens who desire
10 think intelligently aud know the truth ia re.
spect to the machinstOns going on 90 de-
feat the plans OF Mr.. Sutro, divest him OF his
rights and rob him Of the fruits of his enter
prise by slippery legislation, would n nd prOfta-
BILE entertainment In giving an evening or two
10 his lectures. Y