Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-06-04
A CANDIDATE SOON.
AN OPPONENT TO MIR. MARTIN Ex-
PEcTED IN A FEW DAYS.
The ANNOUNCEMENT BY JUNE 18th.
1t il Looked for Immediately After
State Committee Notes.-The Cam
paisn to begin soon Expected to
BE a Warm One.

"a candidate for the senatorship I'm
opposition 10 Mr.. Martin vii, announce
himself by the 18th of June" said a
prominent advocate of the popular selec-
ton Of senator's and senatorial candidates
yesterday.
Il am positive Of that" he continued.
The State Committee will meet on the
night Of the 18th. 1t will decide that ii
is not wise nor proper to call a conven-
ton.
you can set 1t down for fact that
the announcement of a candidate Will
not be delayed three days. 1t will come
almost at once. ] regard it as a certainty
MIR. JONES'S POSITION.
II cannot say who it will be- he con-
tinued. IL think 1 know that the great
majority Of those who are advoca ting
allowing the people TO select their candi-
date want William a. Jones to make
the race. l know Mr. Jones does not
want to do So He has said from the
beginning that he did not, and has been
most consistent in his conduct, keeping
in view his declaration at the Inception
of the reform movement that it was not
In any mans interest, and that he was
free from selfish motive.
Jones is not afraid TO run. He be-
lieves a good man can be nominated on
the platform adopted by the conference.
He is anxious to support such man.
But the men who head the movement
and those who are most anxious TO see
IL succeed insist that Jones is pre-emi-
nently the man TO make such fight. The
pressure brought to bear upon him 10
induce him to enter the lists has here
tofore been unsuccessful, but 1t cannot
be longer resisted Mr. Jones will have
to run. He will have TO declare himself
within the next few days"
CASTING UP CHANCES.
Regarding the chances of the candidate,
the friends Of the reform movement are
distinctly hopeful. The First. Eighth. and
Tenth districts they regard as being so
safely for the movement as TO be prac-
tically conceded. They hope to be able
10 pick up enough counties in the Second.
Third, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, ana
Ninth TO give them what may be lacking
10 cause them to triumph in the state. and
in these districts the chief work will be
done. Many of the leaders think the
Ninth District as safe as any in the State.
Opposition TO the movement IS said to
be strongest in the cities and towns.
where those who fight the movement are
well organized. In the country districts
sentiment is declared TO be almost unani-
nous in favor of the popular selection OF
a senatorial candidate. 1t is believed
that IN a large number of counties the
primary plan, instructing legislative can
didates as 70 their constituents choice Tor
the senatorship. will be put in operation.
Whether the sentiment in favor OF the
popular choice Of candidates be suii-
fn1r
friendly TO Senator Martin TO vote against
him because Of his opposition 10 submit
ting the question of candidates to the
people, remains TO be seen.
SENATOR MARTINS ATTITUDE.
As a matter Of fact. Senator Martin has
not said openly that he is opposed to such
a method. He and his friends fought the
primary plan when it was under discus
sion and succeeded in defeating II. But
since that time Mr.. Martin has not pub
licly declared himself All his closest
friends. however, with few exceptions,
have unhesitatingly declared against al
lowing the people TO choose their candi-
date. The movement has been ridiculed
by them from the start and is at pres
ent the subject Of many ocular allu-
sions.
Mr.. Martins friends profess all conf
denCe as 10 the result. Ills OppOhenls
say that if the question could be brought
to a plain issue, another good candidate
would defeat him with ease. All of which
shows that the coming contest is going
to be one Of the prettiest Virginia ever
saw.
THE GLADIATORS.
The number of speakers who will take
part in the fight will be large. The men
whom the advocates of senatorial reform
will have to take the stump include
number Of very able stumpers, among
them Congressman Jones. Attorney-Gen-
eral Montague, Mr.. Walton Moore, Mr..
Eppa Hunton, Mr. J. c. Parker, Mr.. VIII
liam A. Anderson, Mr.. Frank T. Glasgow,
and others. Hon. w. +. Rhea, member
Of Congress from the Ninth District; Hon.
James Hay, from the Seventh; Hon.
Claude Swanson, from the Fifth; State
Senator Hal. Flood, from Appomattox,
and State-Senator Boykin. from Isle of
Wight. are among those who will take
leading parts as canvassers in opposition
to the reform.
1t is said that Congressman Rhea will
be selected to meet Mr.. Jones should the
latter decide to make the race. No mat