Elizabeth daily monitor. [volume] (Elizabeth, N.J.) 1868-1880, 1869-01-08
GRANT ON JOBS.
THE MISSISSIPPI LEvIsE JOB.

II
Democrat, vouched for by that journal
as professional gentleman of high
character and ability, gives some par
ticulars of an interview with General
Grant, ut his office, which throws con
siderable light on the prospective poll
cy OF Grants administration. The fol-
lowing is more particularly important
at present, i'll view of the many jobs
already before Congress
After cordial greeting, he offered
us seats, and in very easy, familiar
way, entered into conversation. In a
few moments Senator--was annorI-
ced, with Judge--of Louisiana.
General, said the Senator, "Judge
---- wishes to gee you few moments.
and consult with you in regard to the
improvement of the leyees of the lower
Mississippi. We wish the United States
Government to indorse, and thus guar
antee the bonds of the State of Louisi-
ana for the restoration and improve
ment of the levees.
81 hope the Government will not do
il, the General replied with quick,
positive utterance that was not only de-
cisive and final on that subject, but al
most stunning.
"But, General" urged the Senator,
''we only wish the United States to in
dore the bonds, so that we can sell them
without ruinous discount, giving the
United States ample security for the
entire amount, so that it would be i'm
possible for the Government to lose a
cent in any emergency.
Again Grant quickly interrupted, 81
never knew a Government to become
responsible for any amount that it did
not ultimately have to pay. You now
want the Endorsement of the bonds. If
that is given, you will soon want to leg
islate for the payment of the bonds"
General" said the Senator, lyon
are too hard on lis.
"While we are discussing on all
sides, said Grant, - how the national
debt is to be paid, / shall oppose any
increase of the national obligations.
cit is impossible to cultivate our
lands" interposcd the Senator, =" the
levees are absolutely necessary.
81 know all about the levees," he
answered. 81 served in that country
when ayoung man, and L had some
thing to do myself with the breaking of
those levees.
But" said the Judge, millions of
acres of the best land in the world are
subject to overflow"
Gen. Grant replied :
"IIet them overflow, and let them
stay under water until their owners are
willing that North ern men and North
ern capital should come in and protect
and improve them. Northern men
with ample capital are ready to make a
garden of your State, and you won't let
them do it. Your large land holders
are as hostile to the United States Gov
eminent to day as they have ever been,
and if that Government should rebuild
their levees, it would not change them
a particle. 1 know no way the Govern
mont could have adopted for rebuilding
the levees but to have confiscated the
lands of those engaged in the rebellion,
and used the proceeds to restore the
country. As that was not done, moth
ing remains but to set your negroes to
work, and invite in and welcome North
ern men,"
General" said the Judge, ''the ne
groes won't work"
"Won't work" Gen. Grant quietly
replied they'll work if you pay them
for it. Am I not right ?" He added !:
SIS there not such hostility to North
ern men that it amounts, in most sec
tions of the State, to practical exclu-
sion of them from the agricultural in
terests of the country Is there not
an unwillingness to divide up. the lands
and sell in small parcels to those who
might immigrate ? And is there not a
general tendency to secure the services
of the negroes without prompt and ade-
quate compensation ?"
81 must say" said the Judge. :" that
there is more or less of truth in all
those points. fe.
'Then," said Grant, II think you