The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1868-12-03
WASHINGTON, December l, 1868.

WASHINGTON, December /, 1868.
Tho argument in the terse report of Gen.
oral Grant, combined with the recommen-
da,ions of Lieutenant General Sherman,
that the Indian Department should be
transferred to the War Department during
the coming session Of Congress, is regarded
"a certain TO accomplish that event, and is
very displcasing to the civil employees OF
the Ruresu. who are anxious that no change
he made from its present status. The In
alan question will be one Of paramount
;mnortance this winter, and Congress will
be early called upon to take active mea-
sures looking to an entire and permanent
suppression Of hostilities on the plains.
The western members-particularly those
from proximity to the frontier-are tho
roughly eager for such operations as will
secure the most perfect and absolute safety
for settlers and travellers in that country.
Another feature of this short report OF
the General-in-Chief, and one which Is
commended in the most favorable terms by
leading Radicals, is the sentence to the
effect that troops must be kept in the south
ern States. Congress will accept this rs
indisputable evidence that the confidence
of the Convention at Chicago IN Grant 8
Radicalism was not misplaced, and may
feel emboldencd to 60 even further IN It's
construction and amendments to the recon-
struction laws than they would be under
other circumstances.
The consideration Of important steps look
ing to the improvement Of the financial
situation and to the resumption of specie
payments at day that can be named is
nT1
session is opened. The plans for SO doing
will be by no means extensive, judging
from present indications, as only two or
three gentlemen have signifed Intentions
to present bills bearing on the subject.
Sherman Fessenden, and Morton, Will
lead the Senate in financial doctrines. Mr..
Lynch, of Maine, in the House, has been
actively studying methods for simplifying
and strengthening the finances, and vii! be
early in the field with his views. How
much of the action of Congress will be
directed by the report of the Secretary
of the Treasury it is at present lmpos-
sible to say. There is no doubt that
his policy has lost some of its sup
porters lately. Prominent fnaDciers state
that there is no probability whatever
Of any strenuous means being introduced
looking to paying out the gold now in the
treasury for greenbacks until it is ex-
hausted, MS some impracticable parties have
suggested. The amount, including coin
certificates, is about ninety millions. But
bow far would that 60 towards alternating
the necessities of the Government? What
really will be found absolutely necessary
will be the cultivation Of the natural re-
sources in the country.
The Government, when it discontinues
the support Of the negroes protected by the
Freed;nen's Bureau, will force them to 60
to work. The cotton and tobacco lands, the
rice fields of the South, together with the
grain fields and mining lands of the North
and West, will all be called into play before
very long to help pay off this great national
burden. The work that awaits the hands
of the laborer must be contaminated.
This has been the coolest day Of the sea-
son, and the signs Of snow storm are very
prepossessing.
The usual debt-statement' speculations
have been made, and all without positive
data to sustain them. 1t is not thought at
the Department that less increase than
nine or ten millions can be shown over last
month. This, considering that the twenty
three millions paid out on account Of the
Alaska purchase is included, is not bad
exhibit, comparatively speaking.
TINoS