The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-01-05
TIE COMING MN.
General Grants Views and Tone about
the South-Sharp Talk.

the South-Shnrp Talk.
correspondent of the st. Louis Denocra
REPORTS the following conversation between
General Grant and Southerner:
GENERAL said the senator, stu ige -
wished to see you few moments ana consqil
levees of the lower Mississippi. We wish the
United States Government to endorse, ano
thus guarantee, the bonds OF the state OF
Louisiana for the restoration and improvement
OF the levees." ,:.,r,.
sI hope the government will not do it, the
General replied with quick, positive utter
ance that was not only decisive and hnal on
that subject, but almost stunning.
"But. Gereral," urged the senator, I'VE only
wish the United States to endorse tho bonds,
80 that We can sell them without rmnous
discount, giving the United States ample Sc,
curity for the entire amount, so that it would
be impossible for the government to lose
cent in any emergency"
Again Grant quickly interrupted, IT never
knew government to become responsible for
any amount that it did not ultimately have to
pay. You ~ want the endorsement OF the
leeislate for the payment OF the bonds"
General" said the senator, 'you are too
hard on u.s."
"Wbile we are discussing on all sides," said
Grant. show the national debt is 10 be paid,
shall oppose any increase OF the national ool-
cations"
terposed the senator. "Ihe leTees are aDso-
lutely necessary"
II know all about the levees," he answered.
served in that country when young man,
and 1 had something to do myself with the
breaking Of those leyees."
'.But," said the judge, millions OF acres OF
L To- {ba ,y,orld nnh hfoot fO
sIet them overflow, and let them stay under
water" said Grant, "untl their owners are
willing that Northern men and Northern capi-
tai should come in and protect and improve
them. Northern men with ample capital are are
won't let them do it. Your large landholders
are as hostile to the United States Government
to-day as they have ever been; and if that gov
ernment should rebuild their levces it would
not change them particle. know no way
the government could have adopted for re-
building the levees but to have c)nfscated the
lands Of those engaged in rebellion and used
the proceeds to restore the country. AS that
was not done, nothing remains but to set your
negroes to work and invite in and welcome
Northern men,"
General" said the Judge, "the negroes
wont work"
"Won't work." Grant quietly replied, ''thegn
work if you'll pay them tor it,"
Gam / not right 2" he added. SIS there not
such hostility to Northern men that 1t
amounts in most sections OF the State to q
practical exclusion OF them from the agricul-
tural interests Of the country? Is there not
an unwillingness to divide up the lands and
sell in small parcels to those who might lmmi-
crate; and is there not general tendency to
secure the services of the negroes without
prompt and adequate compensation ?"
81 must say" said the Judge, "that there is
more or less of truth in all these points"
"Then," said Grant, sI think you will have
to build your own levees, or wait under water
until you are willing men should come in who
will build them."
GRANTS POLICY AND CABINET.
The Cincinnati Commercial, paper usually
careful in ifs statements, says:
Notwithstanding Geners,. Grants reputation
tes & r....ceace, it is we'll known that he has al
ways been in the habit Of talking quite freely
Of matters that he Was called to consloe1' TneA
not out Of character, therefore, for him TO DC at
this time expressing himself without reserve
moon questions OF public concern. Inat Nc
has been doing so there is no question.
It is true that he has declared very PLAINLY,
should be repealed. He thinks it moald be
ionpossibIe for him or anybody else to success
tnliy administer the Executive Office wlthout
,,n.sor .Ton.ntly to remove an officer for inefh-
Cheney or dishonesty, and that without await
inc the slow Motions Of the Senate. His idea
is, that while there shoull be an end OF the
Tenure-of-ofice bill, as it is, the Civil Service
bill Of Mr.. Jenckes, OF Rhode ,siana, OF sI soine
thing like it. should be enacted. The general
proposition Is to mai the tenure-ot-ofhce de-
pead upon merit; to re greater security IN
place to competent and honest mon; but to
make the Chief Executive responsible Tor thelr
competency and honesty. There are not many
who will dispute that the President elect Is IN
thislooking in the right direction.
AS to the Cabinet, it may be called ce'talu
that Mr. E. B. Washburne, OF Illinois, wants q
place in it, and will get the Secretaryshlp OF
the Interior, and there will be no mistake made
If it is assumed that Grant sympathlzes strong
" in those peculiar and ardent efforts TO save
the peoples money, by which Washburne's ca,
reer in Congress has been distinguished, and
which have made him hated and feared by the
lobby. Those best informed do not think there
will be q change in the War Department.
There is no more competent man for war MIN
lister in the country than General Scnoheid;
and he is on terms of tho closest personal
friendship with Grant. II is conjectured, and
something more, that Grants Secretary OF the
NAVY will be naval officer, and Admiral David
D. Porter is very confidently named as the
man. twill be remembered that he anu Grant
were, during the war, long and intimately as
SOclated In c0mDlneQ MlutaIy auu haf III en'@A
It has been whispered in Washin. ton that
General Grant, during his visit to New York
city, has been sounding some OF the eminent
men of that place as to the Secretaryshlp OF
the Treasury. That he was ut pains to gather
opinions is pretty clear. How influential these
opinions may be is another matter. But We
may add that the most weighty New York
opinion fayors Mr. David A. Wells for Secretary
Of the Treasury. That gentleman has certainly
displayed extraordinary knowledge Of financial
topics, and honestly earned national fame.
It is certain that Gran. will not look among the
politicians for Secretary Of the Treasury, and
that Mr.. Wells will be backed by his excellent
reputation and by Jealous friends OF high dis
tinction.
Last and not least, there is something more
than mere gossip as authority for the assertion
that General Grant looks upon Charles Francis
Adams as q man admirably calculated by edu-
cation, experience, and temper for the manage
ment of our relations with foreign powers
and one we'll known friend Of General Grant
is quoted as saying that he sknows" the Sec
retaryship of State will be offered to MIR. Adams
Commercial.
Charleston Cotton and Rice Market.
OFFICE OF THE CHARLESTON DAILYNEWs,
CHARLESTON. Monday Evening, January 4, 80. J
COTTON-The market had only very scant sup
l NJ this article and buyers were thereby prevent