Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-04-19
MUST NOT NOMINATE.
DEMOCRATS ENDORSE THE VIEWS
or JUDGE SAMUEL WILLIAMS.
The POPULAR CHORD WAS STRUCK.
The Conference ~ Not Expected to
Name n Cnndidatc-Senator Keezel
md Hon. Pembroke Petit Express
Their Views.

liams, Of Wythoyile. in yesterdays Dis
patch. regarding the senatorial confer
ence, were much discussed, and received
almost unanimous endorsement.
Judge Williams seems TO have expressed
opinions held by the great majority Of
those who advocate the cause Of the con-
ference. They wish a popular choice Of
senatorial candidates. but they wish the
candidate regularly chosen, either in a
convention called for the purpose, or a
primary ordered by the proper authority.
Il favor the popular selection Of sena-
tors, n the popular selection Of candi-
dates said Senator George II. Keezcll,
OF Rockingham, at Murphy's last night.
My record on that question should be
well understood, after the fight IN the
Resolutions Committee at the Roanoke
Convention, and in the convention Itself.
] advocate the idea OF a senatorial con-
ference such az the one that has been
called. but with certain limitations. IT
should not. under any circumstance,
make a nomination. 1t seems to me every
Democrat should agree with me on that.
A CONVENTION NEEDED.
q think. furthermore" continued Mr..
IL WA NIa NNAA a. NEHN 80 NLNIAN y
IL make binding and effective anything
which the conference may do. And /
cannot see how any Democrat can gainsay
that. either. How can anybody be called
a bolter IL the conference alone acts?
Every loyal Democrat would feel himself
bound by a conventions determination;
nobody would feel bound by the decision
of the conference.
AS between the two plans OF choosing
~ candidate for tho G4p4toTghfn - Mr.
Keezell continued. II must say l favor
a State convention to an unlegalized
primary.
Mr.. Keezell thinks he cannot attend the
conference. On the Wednesday following
he has 10 come to Richmond to attend a
meeting Of the State Board Of Fisheries,
and he thinks he can hardly make two
trips 20 Richmond within a week.
Besides" said Mr.. Keezell, I'VE have
q big county fight on our hands. which
will not be settled until the 25th Of May.
l am chairman Of the County Committee,
and am kept very busy. 1t il a close fight
and a hard one, but 1 think the Democrats
will win out"
VIEWS OF MR.. PETIT.
Hon. Pembroke Petit, Of Fluvanna,
who is also here to attend the meeting
of the state BOard of Fisheries to-day.
expresses opinions much similar TO those
of Nh. KeeZell. At the Roanoke Conven-
ton Mr.. Petit gave the casting vote IN
committee in favor Of the primary
plank in the platform. He has been an
advocate of a senatorial primary Tor
years.
Il shall attend the conference said
Mr.. Petit. land hope to see IL accomplish
a great deal of good. But there must re
and sound judgment dis
played. or the results VIII be entirely UNI
satisfactory to those who most desire 10
IT be of the utmost benefit TO the
party and all the people. There should
be no nomination"
WILL BE no NOMINATION.
"There will be 10 nomination. said a
warm advocate Of the conference idea at
.lurphy's last night. THE call is for Il
attended by those Democrats
who hold opinions advocated by "A portion
Of the party. OF course. this portion cam
not and win not attempt 10 select a can
10 be voted for by all the party.
L have not the remotest idea or the
conference doing such a thing
MIR. Henry c. Stuart. of Russell county
q member Of the state Board Of Agricul-
ture. was III the city yesterday ana
spent some time at conference mead
quarters. lie Is q warm advocate OF the
conference. and expects TO see IT "A sue
cess. Mr.. Stuar is q Democrat OF very !
influence in his county n
section. and will use it all in the interest
Of the conference.
THE BUREAU OPENED.
Mr.. Claggett Jones arrived yesterday
morning from his home in King and
Queen. and assumed charge of the con-
ference bureau. His time was well taken
up receiving callers and answering cor
r~espondence. q large number of letters
accumulated during the past few
days.
Mr.. Jones is surprised at the many let
ters being received from all over Virginia
TO the conference. There will be
/, preat crowd. and many of the most
men in the State Will attend
Il l I'M TO Judge by the letters am re-
There is a strong conference
being developed in sections
where we did not expect it."
Mr.. Jones and callers at the bureau
expressed great satisfaction at
he character Of the delegates to the
conference selected by Southampton and
essex Democrats. DR.. j. +. Bryant ana
j. G. Parker. two men known all
,ver the State. are among the South
mpton DELEGATES. and the venerable eX-
congressman CrOxtOn and Senator Bailey
re of those who Will attend as repre-
entatives of the Essex Democrats. Many
# the most prominent figures heretofore
con I'm states conventions viii be seen in
conference.
Senator Martin had a number OF callers
1T his headquarters at Muir
though his room was not open all