The Plymouth weekly Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1860-1869, 1868-12-03


that national politics will occupy hereaf
ter much less prominent position in az
fairs of state, and in the minds OF the
people, than heretofore.
WAsuINGToN, Nov. 29.-Late dis
patches to some of the northern journals
state that Senator Morton, in an interview,
held last week with Secretary McCulloch,
made the argument, in the course of a long
discussion, that the government was not
bound to pay the fve-twenties in coin,
and that it should now begin to redeem
the issue of 1862 in greenbacks, The dis
patches also made the statement that
Senator Morton would introduce bill, ear
ly in the session, embodying his ideas. The
only financial measure which the senator
now has under consideration is bill to
redeem the greenbacks with coin, begin
ming the redemption in 1871, and to discon-
tinue the sales of gold for that purpose.
The conversation between the senator from
Indiana and the secretary Of the treasury
was chiefly in regard to the necessity Of
returning to specie Payment. Senator
Morton said that it was the first duty Of
the government to return to specie pay
ment at the earliest possible moment, and
that all other financial questions were of
secondary Importance as compared with
that at this time. Nothing whatever was
said regarding the Introduction of bill
for the payment Of the $50 bonds CT 1862
with legal tender notes. The mode of
paying the bonds was referred to, and Sen
ator Morton said that, under the law as
he understood it, the government had the
right to use the existing legal tender notes
in payment of those bonds. He said
however, that this question wonld be
settled and become unimportant by a
return to specie payments and it would
become important only on the condition
that the deprecated currency was coutin-
red, and no steps taken to redeem it.
Senator Morton asked Mr. McCulloch
what legislation he would recommend to
bring about a return to specie payments,
and the secretary answered That he knew
of none to recommend unless it was an in
crease of the tariff. and such legislation as
would develop the general resources of The
country, by which the general credit of
tie government would be improved. The
senator replied that it would take long
time to arrive at specie payment that
way. He further said that it was not the
time now to talk about trying to pay the
bonds in either gold or greenbacks; but
to make our currency good. The inter
view was long one. and beth gentlemen
were very earnest in the discussion.
Senator Morton believes that, while the
question of the redemption of the bonds
of 1862 is, at present, unimpo-tant, it will
become subject Of vital interest if the
present deprecated currency is continued
for five or ten years. He says that it is
believed by large number of.people that
the objections to returning to specie ray
ments look as if there was an interest IN
not coming to specie payments; that men
with incomes Of god were not anxious to
dispense with such a profit.
GRANTS REPORT
The following is General Grants report
in full
HEADQUARTERS ARMY Z. S.,
WAsnINGrox, Nov. 81.
To Gen. j. H. .Schofela, Secretary Of
Var:
SlR-I have the honor to submit the
reports of division, district, and depart,
ment commanders, for the past year.
These reports give a full account of the
operations and services of the army for the
year, and I refer to them for details.
would earnestly renew my recon-
mendations of last year that the control of
the Indians be transferred to the war de-
partment. l call special attention to the
recommendation of Gen. Sherman on this
subject. 1t has my earnest approval. 1:
unnecessary that the argument in favor of
the transfer should be repeated. The ne
cessitv for It becomes stronger and more
evident every day.
While the Indian war continues I do
not deem any general legislation for the
reduction of the army advisable. The
troops on the plains are all needed
Troops in the southern states are still
needed, and further reduction can be
made in the way already used and now in
operation, where it is safe, viz: BY al
lowing companies to diminish by discharg.
es without being strengthened by recruits,
and stopp ing the appointment of second
lieutenants.
IF it should be deemed advisable. the