Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-04-21
WHAT WILL BE DONE.
HON. J. c. PARKER FORECASTS THE
WORK OF THE MAY CONFERENCE.
WILL RESOLVE FOR A CONVENTION.
III This IL Refused VIII EndeavOr to
Have Primaries I'm All Counties
Possible-A Busy Day at the Con-
ference Headquarters.

Hon. J. c. Parker, member Of the
House Of Delegates from southampton,
| and one Of the signers Of the call for the
senatorial conference, reached the city
! last night and discussed at considerable
length the movement for the conference
and for the popular selection Of senators
and senatorial candidates.
Mr.. Parker is not an especial advocate
Of either the primary plan or nomination
by a convention, but is inclined to favor
the latter.
II have never known nominated for the
gubernatoral Office by a State convention
a man who was not the choice OF his
party" said Mr.. Parker. 1T is a good.
old-fashioned Democratic method OF
choosing a candidate. and one TO which
am partial. However. l am perfectly
willing TO do my utmost TO make a sue
cess Of any method Of popular choice
which may be adopted.
The conference, owing 10 certain IN
1uences against it," continued Mr.. Parker
may not yield immediate fruit. But
mark this: The bud which will blossom
ing the chilling criticism Of those who
cry fractional fight. and irregularity'
and some day in the near future it will
yield perfect fruit.
NOT a PERSONAL MOVEMENT.
81 do not think there is anything per-
sOnal in this movement, nor in II any
thing which may be construed as re-
Fiction upon the Legislature. l have the
highest personal regard for Senator Mar
tin, and !, as a signer of the call for the
conference. should have been delighted
had he Joined with US in the movement.
"My motives-and sole motives-in join
ing this movement" said Mr. Parker,
were to aid in securing, ultimately, the
election of senators by the people; TO
secure some immediate method by which
the selection Of a senator could be taken
from the Legislature, thus admitting Of
the choice of members Of the General As
sembly with a view more 10 their fitness
than to their being for or against GER
tain man for the Senate. a great reason
for my advocating the movement is, l
believe 1t will have the effect of strength
ening the party organization. 1t will
bring the management Of the party closer
to the masses of the people. which is
always beneficial TO the party and 10 the
body polite.
WILL NOT NOMINATE
Il have no idea the conference will
nominate candidate" said Mr.. Parker.
1T was not called for any such purpose,
and, of course, will take no such action.
l cannot nor can any man, say what the
meeting will do, but in my opinion, after
q discussion Of the entire subject of the
popular choice Of senators and sena-
torial candidates, and then resolutions
will Be adopted declaring for State con-
ventitn. \ committee will be appointed
for the purpose of presenting the reso-
lutions. and the request for a convention,
to the State Committee. ] have no doubt
that If the conference is as large and
representative as we expect the commit
tee will order the convention for the pur-
pose Of choosing a candidate or adopting
primary plan. Should the committee
refuse to call the convention. then l
rather expect the committee appointed
by the conference. acting under instruc-
tons given at the conference, would do
all possible to have the various district
and county committees have a senatorial
primary in every county in the State.
LOOKS FOR A GREAT CROWD.
Il think there will be a great crowd at
the conference" said Mr.. Parker, in con-
clusion. Il know the opposition OF the
senators will have its effect, but II VIII
not be as serious as may be thought |
am sorry Senator Daniel and Senator |
Martin are against Us. l think Senator |
Daniel should bear in mind that he was
nominated in convention the last time he |
was elected to the Senate. He should not |
object 10 the popular choice of candi- |
dates. | think he has made an error |
which he will recognize I'm time"
Mr. Parker will probably return home |
to-day. He expected, or, at least, hoped, |
to meet Congressman Jones here and dis |
cuss with him the movement for the con- |
ference. Mr.. Jones is expected to-day or |
tomorrow.
BUSY AT HEADQUARTERS.
Mr.. Parker spent some time last night |
with Mr.. Claggett Jones at conference |
headquarters, and the two went over the /
situation in the State. Ii is eminently /
Letters from all sections |
develop that a lively interest IN the move |
ment IS being taken. There seems no |
doubt that every county in the State will |
be well represented.
Mr.. Jones was busy again yesterday |
receiving callers and answering letters. |
He took tea with Attorney-General Mon |
tague, and remained until after 10 o'clock |
discussing with the Attorney-General the |
movement.
Hon. w. T. McAllister of Bath county, |
a prominent Democrat. and ex-member of |
the Legislature. is at Murphys.
Personals and Briefs.