The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-12-30
WASHINGTON. December q, 1867.

WASHINGTON, December q, 1867.
Political circles are as dull here now as
at any time during the midsummer OF
congressional recess. There is absolutely
nothing to inspire excitement; for, IN ad-
dition to the fact that .hc few politicians
and members Of Congress who remain IN
washington are iudispoSed just now TO
present anv schemes, or discuss publicly
any plans which they may have on hand
for consideration when both Of the great
political parties are fully represented, the
weather is itself sufficient 10 drive away
ANYTHING likely to cause sensation; and
if it were not on account of the holiday
season, which requires every one who
possibly can to be in good humor, the
fact is undeniable that a reign of blues
would be prominent above all things else.
These quiet times will not last longer than
the end Of the present month, as the new
year will open the door to q vigorous sea-
son Of social and political activity. The
social festival will last until all the lions
meaning the Radical Congressman and
other important pcrsonages around the
capitol and about the Executive Depart
ments-have been diucd and wined to their
hearts content: and the political dance:
will be kept mp, after it is fairly COM
menced, certainly until the inauguration
OF the next PreSident-how much longer
let us not attempt to predict. Just at pre-
sent much less than usual is being re-
marked with regard TO the nominations of
candidates for the Presidency; but the
topic is so mighty, and the feeling Of
the friends of the various candidates
so intense on the subject, that it is
hard TO kecpit under; and occasionally,
even now, when nearly every one Of the
influential wire-pullers is absent, the "la-
boring thought" breaks forth, and the
chances, fitness, and opinions of different
parties are specu!ated upon, for want OF
something else TO agitatc. Upon the Radi-
cal side, Judging solely from this standpoint,
Grant has the inside track without the
shadow of doubt, and single word from
him intimatiDg that he would be glad to be
nominated upon their straight-out never
back-down platform Of universal negro
suffrage, which is the main plank, and the
other minor-comparatively speaking
items that form it, would be as the balm
of Gilead to "a wounded spirit to the dlScon-
ISOLATE Republicans, who think that. to win
their race they must nominate a man who
has never openly identified himself with
their party; but nothing is farther from
being definite and certain than the tact OF
the Presidential nominations. Light will
be thrown on that subject after the sixth
of January.
The impression seems to prevail in some
quarters that the Government is only
awaiting an appropriation from Congress
in order IN nroceed with the transfer of the
West India islands sought to be purchased.
1t would seem that the Senate should first
ratify treaty looking to the end OF the
acquisition Of those islands and since the
recent volcanic eruptions and disasters IN
that region, to say nothing of the particu-
lar damage received by this Government
in having its ships of war in those waters
thrown high and dry and otherwise
damaged, it is not the universal belief that
Congress is anxious to buy.
The Office of the Lighthouse Board
gives official notice that screw pile light
house has been erected at Deep Water
shoals, in the James river, Virginia, to
take the place Of the one destroyed by ice
last winter. The light will be exhibited
for the first time on the evening Of the 18th
of January, 1865, when the light-vcssel
now marking the station will be with
drawn.
The Government will, on the first proX-
limo, by the payment Of the coin interest
and principal of bonds then due, throw
into the market about thirty millions Of
gold. The public debt statement for this
month will DO issued between the 5th and
10th Of January. TIMON.