Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-03-28
THE MAY CONFERENCE,
Movement Exciting Great Interest
Throughout the State
| GOVERNOR TYLER FAVORS i.
His EXceIlency Says He Is Willing
10 Trust The People.
ATTITUDE OF SENATOR MARTINI
He and His Friends Are Not Expect.
ed to Antagonixe the Movements
Grcnt Interest as TO Major Daniels
| Position. y.
ATTITUDE OF SENATOR MARTIN
Position.


The subject OF the approaching con-
ference here In May for the purpose OF
considering methods whereby the people
may have-a voice in the selection oc
United States Senator's is creating moro
comment than any which has arisen In
Virginia In some time.
The call for the conference, which was
published in Sundays Dispatch, has been
analysed and discussed. and every SEM
tence interpreted. and from them deduc-
tions and differences drawn, until tho
subject would seem to be well-nish
threadbare. The fact that iifty-two such
prominent men of the state signed tho
call for the conference caused comment.
as Illustrating the strength of the move
ment.
THE GOVERNOR FAVORS 1T.
Surely. | should DO the last man in
Virginia TO oppose anything looking TO
giving to the people opportunity to ex-
press their choice OF candidates for any
position" said Governor Tyler. when ques-
toned by 4 Dispatch reporter yesterday.
81 have found the people excellent judges
OF candidates" the Governor continued,
and he smiled In qulzzlcal way.
However" continued the Governor. II
am not taking an active part In politics.
| am devOting my time TO endeavoring
TO discharge 10 the best OF my ability.
the duties OF my office. That consumes
my time very fully. Yet | think con-
cluded the Governor, "that the recent
Il pfa N
OF several OF the States have accumulated
the wisdom OF the movement for the se-
lection OF United States Senators by the
people"
When asked II he would attend the con-
ference the Governor replied that lie
would hardly do so. as there Is TO be
meeting OF the Board Of Visitors OF Mount
Vernon on the llth Of Moy. which he VIII
probably attend
From other State officials It was iIn-
possible 10 obtain statements for publica-
| ton. They were perfectly willing to talk
and express views, but not for pub!lc9-
| tOn.
SENATOR MARTINS ATTITUDE.
The fact that among those who signed
the call were several gentlemen who arc
warm supporters OF Senator Martin has
created much comment. For there Is u
| very decided and very general tendency
| to recognize ths conference as mani
/ festation Of opposition 10 the reelection
OF Senator Martin. Whatever be the
grounds for such opinion, or whether
| there are any good grounds for It. the
! fact remains that 1t exists.
! The real attitude OF Senator Martin
| towards the movement cannot be learned
from Senator Martin himself He refuses
| TO discuss IL.
! But a man who IS very close TO tho
| Junior Senator yesterday expressed views
| which are believed 10 reflect those or
Senator Martin and his supporters.
1--WE will do nothing In opposition 10 the
/ movement" said tho gentleman referred
20. "As for myself and | presume the
same Is true Of many, II not all, or tha
friends of Senator Martin. do not regard
/ such conference as aimed at senator
| Martin. / think Senator Martin would
not oppose the conference were IL not
] that he cannot now afford TO have the
| advocates OF such a movement say he has
| tcen whipped into line. You know. no
and his friends. as well as Senator Daniel.
opposed a senatorial primary AZ the Roa-
nose convention. ! do not think Senator
Martin has changed his mind. am snro
the majority OF his friends have not. But
we are taking no steps 20 oppose the con-
ference. So far as | know, none VIII be
| TAKEN
SENATOR DANIELS POSITION.
The attitude Of Senator Daniel toward
| the conference is not certainly known,
and Is the subject OF much speculation.
Al the Roanoke convention In 1887 tho
opposition OF Senator Daniel 20 the sena-
torial primary plan was largely iDstru-
mental in defeating H. While MS frlehos
point out that the probabilities are that
he opposes the May conference, II Is also
said that he could, with perfect consists
ency. favor IL. He has never gone on re-
cord as being opposed on principle 10 all
lowing the people TO choose their candi-
dates for tho Senate. He did oppose the
primary plan. There are other methods.
These can be discussed at the conference.
Some one OF them may be more sausfac-
tory IN many ways. or every way. than .
primary.
Senator Daniel has not recently diS-
cussed the subject. but an authoritative
statement from him is expected soon. The
tremendous influence OF the senior Sena-
tor Is wanted by both sides.
/