Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-05-12
TALK Of CANDIDATES,
The Conference is Seen to Have
Made One a Certainty
Mr., JONES TO MAKE THE RACE
II is Believed He Viii Announce
Himself in a Few Days.
WAIT TILL THE COMMITTEE ACTS.
II 4. Understood He VIII Declare His
Candidacy as Soon as the state
Committee Replies to Request for
Convention.
WAIT TILL THE COMMITTEE ACTS,
n Convention,

1t is regarded as practically certain
that Hon. William A. Jones will an
nounce himself a candidate for the Sen
ate within a short time.
1t is understood that the announce
ment will be made as soon as the State
Committee acts upon the request OF the
conference for a convention. No matter
what the reply be, Mr.. Jones will declare
to the people of Virginia that he is
candidate for the position now occupied
by Hon. Thomas S. Martin.
The foregoing is not based upon the
direct statement of Mr.. Jones, Its cor
rectness is guaranteed by those who are
very close to him.
The statement Is made by Mr.. Jones's
friends that he does not wish TO become
a candidate. His prominent connection
with the movement for the popular cleo
ton Of senator's and senatorial candi-
dates made him prefer that some other
man stand for the principles enunciated
by the conference. That body refused
to nominate. A candidate is regarded as
the logical sequence of the adoption Of
the platform. The pressure brought TO
bear upon the First District congress-
man has been so great that II Is not to
be wthstood. 1t is pointed out that as
he was foremost in initiating the move
nent. it is his duty to lead the fight
which it is to beget. There seems no
doubt OF his doing so.
GOV. TYLER NOT AN ASPIRANT.
There is talk Of Governor Tyler's can
didacy being announced. IL have not
a feather's-weight OF ambition for sena-
torial honors," said the Governor to a
Dispatch writer yesterday. Il do not
expect 10 announce my candidacy. have
been asked by near friends to enter the
race. / have only the ambition TO be
the best Governor Virginia ever had.
may fail OF that because Of inability, but
/ will not fail in contest for a seat IN
the Senate, for / will make no such con-
test.
"Of course" concluded the Governor,
IL would not decline the senatorship were
IL offered me- No man would. But !
will not seek IT,"
NO OTHER CANDIDATE.
The unequiyocal declaration Of Attor-
ney-General Montague and Messrs. K.
Walton Moore and Eppa HuntOn, Jr.,
in the conference Wednesday. that they
would not be candidates, left Governor
Tyler and Mr.. Jones practically the only
possibilities Governor Tylers explicit
statement 10 the same effect leaves the
congressman alone.
IL is understood that the committee Of
five TO convey TO the chairman Of the
State Committee the request Of the con-
ference for a convention Will be an
nounced by Hon. William A. Anderson
upon his return 10 Richmond from
Charleston early next week. The re-
quest will be conveyed at once, and 1t Is
thought Hon. J. Taylor EllysOn, the
chairman, will convene the committee
promptly.
A CONVENTION PROBABLE.
As 10 the action OF the committee there
IS some doubt but il Is the belief Of the
majority that convention will be called
"for the purpose Of nominating a candi-
date for the United States Senate" I'm
Inediately upon the announcement or this
decision 1t is believed Mr.. Jones will de-
clare his candidacy. And If the decision
Of the committee be otherwise, II is
thought the course OF Mr.. Jones Will be
the same
prominent gentleman. who is a
warm friend OF Senator Martin, stated
last night he believed the latter would.
Immediately upon the announcement Of
the decision OF the committee, endorse
its action. The Senator has stated that
any method which the Democrats Of
Virginia chose 20 adopt in the selection
OF senator's would be entirely satisfac-
tory 10 him.
TO KEEP BUREAU OPEN.
The bureau which has been kept open
at Murphy's for several weeks by the
promoters OF the May conference was
closed Yesterday. II will probably be
reouened wednesday, Mr.. Claggett r..
Jones. who has had charge. and rendered
a vast deal Of very efficient work. re-
turned to his home I'm King and Queen
Yesterday afternoon, but will be back next
week. Mr.. l.. c. Garrett. his steno-
grapher. went 10 his home in Mathews
county. but will return Wednesday.
Congressman Jones and Mrs. Jones left
for Washington last night. II shall be
back next week" said Mr. Jones. Head
quarters will be opened here by the
Democratic League Cor Reform in the
Election OF United States Senator'S in a
short time. | have not the slightest idea
regarding the probable personnel OF the
committee Mr.. Anderson will select the
members. He will do so very carefully,
and will not appoint any one not willing
70 devote much Of his time and energy
20 ba work "