Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-05-19
AuthoritatiVtly Stated That Mr.. Martin
Will Have an Opponent.
A DARK HORSE MAY COME OUT
The Request for N Convention Pre-
scented TO the state Chairman Yes
terday Afternoon-Promp Promise
10 Convene the BODY.
10 Convene the Body.

Hon. J. Taylor Ellyson, chairman Of
the Democratic State Central Committee,
yesterday Informed Hon. William 4. An
derson. chairman of me senatorial con-
ference, that he would call . meeting OF
the committee to consider the request of
the conference for a State convention to
nominate a candidate for the Senate, or
to submit plan whereby a popular Sc
lection may be made by means of a pri-
mary election.
Mr.. Anderson, accompanied by Mr.. l..
c. Garnett secretary Of the Senatorial
Reform League, went TO Mr.. Ellyson's
office at 1 o'clock. and the former pre-
scented the written request Of the con-
ference.
THE REQUEST
1t was as follows:
Richmond, Va, May IS, 1889.
Hon. J. Taylor Ellyson, Chairman Vir-
ginia State Democratic Central Com
mite
Dear Sir,-Pursuant to the action taken
by the conference of Virginia Democrats
which met in the city of Richmond on
the 10th Instant, / have the honor TO re-
spectfuliy request that you win call
meeting OF the Democratic State Central
Committee, TO assemble at the earliest
day practicable. to receive and take ac-
ton upon the application which will be
then made to the State Central Committee
by the committee constituted for this pur-
pose under the resolution adopted by the
conference, a copy of which L herewith
hand you.
Very truly, and respectfully yours,
WILLIAM \. ANDERSON,
Chairman Of Conference Of Virginia Dem
ocrats in the Interest OF Reform I'm the
Selection of United States Senator's
The followingacopy of the fourth 1850
luton adopted by the conference was en-
closed with Mr.. Anderson's letter:
I'VE urgently and respectfully appeal to
the State Democratic Central Committee
to provide at once for holding a State
primary or a State convention for the
nomination of a Democratic candidate for
the United States Senate, to be voted for
peal should be communicated to the chair
man of the Central Committee by the
committee hereinafter mentioned, with
the request that he Immediately convene
the Central Committee for its considera-
ton"
MR.. ELLYSON'S REPLY.
Mr.. Ellyson read the communication
carefully and informed Mr.. Anderson
no
a few minutes afteTward, Mr.. Anderson
anu Mr.. Garnett left Mr.. Ellyson, and
later in the afternoon the latter sent the
following reply:
Virginia State Democratic Committee,
Richmond, Va, May Is, 1893
Hon. William A. Anderson, Chairman:
Dear Sir,--I hereby acknowledge the re-
celpt Of your communication of May 18th,
enclosing copy Of resolution adopted by
the conference of Virginia Democrats
held in this city on the 10th instant. Ia
response TO the request therein contained,
l beg leave TO inform you that | will call
a meeting of the Democratic State Central
Committee, and l will, in a few days. adj,
wise you of the time and place az which
the meeting will be held.
Very sincerely yours,
j. TAYLOR ELLYSON, Chairman.
Il cannot say certainly what date l
shall fix for the meeting Of the commit
tee" said Mr.. Ellyson last night 1T will
be held not later than two or three weeks
hence. l have several engagements which
| must arrange in order not TO allow them
TO conflict with committee meeting"
Il take it for granted the meeting OF
the committee will be held not later than
June lst," said Mr.. Anderson last night.
Il see no reason why it should be later
a.. Vnt sam In
son does"
CERTAIN TO BE CANDIDATE.
Mr. Anderson, Congressman Jones, Hon.
c. V. Meredith, Hon. W. f. Reddy, and Mr..
5. S. Z. Patteson held an extended con-
ference at Murphy's last night. When
seen at its close, after II O'Clock, Mr..
Anderson said:
IF a convention is called by the State
Committee, or If a primary IS ordered,
by means Of which there may be 4 de-
finite expression OF popular choice for
senator, the people of Virginia may DC
ASSURED that there VIII be a candidate
as the exponent OF the principles - which
Mr.. Martin is opposed.
81 do net know who this candidate will
be" Mr. Anderson continued. 81 reiterate
what has been often said to you by those
who signed the call for the conference,
that there was never originated a more
unseltish movement than this. We had
solely In view the good of Virginia. From
my close Personal relations with Mr.
Jones | know he is not a candidate, and
has never been. He has repeatedly ex-
pressed to me his unwilingness 10 run.
And / know this unwlllingness is in no
way due 10 apprehensiyeness as to the
result of the contest
MAY BE A DARK HORSE
Regarding the identity of the candidate
Mr. Anderson said he could not speak.
He left the impression upon the Dispatch
writer however, that II would probably
he n man not heretofore mentioned in
with the senatorship.
There was some talk last night of Mr..
Anderson'S becoming "a candidate. His
acquaintance is wide; his record ir pub
lie life is such as 10 entitle him 10 the
confidence and respect az the people OF
the State, and his fine personality and his
ability as a debater. besides remark
able familiarity with party history and
all public questions, eminently fit him for
a seat I'm the Senate
THE COMMITTEE OF TWENTY.
Mr.. Anderson stated that he hoped 90 be
able TO announce In a few days the names
OF the twenty members OF the Executive
Committee of the Senatorial Reform
League. Nearly the entire committee
has been selected. and those asked TO
serve have consented 10 do so. Head