The New York herald., 1879-02-11

mers. spades. chisels. &C.. without handles.
and augurs. without piercers. &c.. pro-
vided they are in the condition in which
they bought by mechanics In the
stores and afterward fitted for by putting the
handles piercers. sc. Tools of speter or zinc re-
main dutsble likewise mathematical. surgical Chi
rurgical, optical and musical Instruments.
The Department of State has also received de-
spatch from the American Consul at Geneva recitng
an account of the test trial Of the first American
locomotive ever in Switzerland. The To-
connective. weighing, with its tender forty
tons, constructed by the Philadelphia
and Reading Railroad Company upon Q
system intended to combine great power with
remarkable saving in fuel This locomotive was on
exhibition at the Paris Exposition. and has been
tested on several French railways with remarkable
success. The experiments in Switzerland have de-
monstrated SAVING of eighteen per cent in the
consumption of fuel. matter of great i'm
portance in that country Of dear fuel
and the most lively satisfaction at the
results attained was expressed by Swiss
railroad This locomotive will be taken to Italy
for like experiments. sl
In the report the Consul notes the constantly
growing popularity OF the American anthracite coal
III Geneva the privxte residents having begun pur
chase it as well tho manufacturers. The future
demand for this COAL in the opinion Of the Consul.
need only be limited by the and facilities Of
transportation.
THE POTTER CoMMITTEE-A PROBABLE MEETING
TODAY
meeting of the Potter Investigating Committee
to have been held this morning. and General
Hunton. Mr.. Cox and Mr.. Potter were early in at
tendance but owing to the important measures be-
fore the House it was found impossible to obtain
quorum and at two clock the chairman announced
there would be no meeting to-day No notice has been
given that there will be any tomorrow. but in all
probability tho committee will meet usual at
eleven o'clock. and Judge Southwood will be called to
the stand to testify to certain acts of bribery which
were committed in Louisiana.
At meeting of the democratic members on Satur-
day it was proposed to subpoena Swayze, who, it
alleged, received $3.50 for his testimony before the
subcommittee at New Orleans. This was overruled.
however. the ground that his statement had
already received sufficient contradiction, and that IL
Swayze called 1t would neccsstate the hearing
Of o number Of other witnesses and take up much
time.
After Judge Southwood has been examined the Hon.
Randolph Tucker, whose namo has bccn mentioned
in connection with the disappearance of certain
cipher kilograms from one of the committee rooms
here, will bc allowed to make an explanation. and
then the investigation Of the cipher kilograms Will
Do resumed. MT. WOOuey Wlll Dc summoned
from CincinnsM, and two or three other
witnesses viii be heard. whose names
have not yet transpired. Exertion will be made to
conclude tho investigation this week 80 as to give
time for the preparation Of the reports. each side
is understood having decided to lay before the
House.
fHE COMMISSIONER OF PENSIONS ON THE PEN
- SION BILL.
A communication was received by tho Senate
from the Secretary Of the Interior transmitting .
letter from the Commissioner OF Pensions relating
to the net granting Of pensions. and sug-
gesng certain amendments to that bill. calling the
attention of Congress to the present system Of adjud
eating pension claims and the adoption of proper leg
islaton for the protection Of the against
fraudulent claims. Tho Commissioner recommends
appropriation Of 600 for temporary clerks in
his ofice lie estimates that $34 O0OO 900 will be re-
quired to pay arrears of pensions to those on the
rolls January s79the date of the passage of tho
bill-s2. 600 to pay added from January Is
to the close Of the present fiscal year. and s5oOOOO
to pay arrearages in added during the fiscal
year ending June 50. 1890. The communications
were roferred 10 tne- -committses on Pensions and
Appropriations.
THE NAVY APPROPRIATION BILL.
priation bill agreed upon a report this afternoon.
The amount of difference between the two Houses
SIS. .O00 the Senate surrendered $4,000 and tho
disagreement was thus compromised.