Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-03-14
FRIENDS IN CONFERENCE.

Ter. and il was some time before thew
came away.
FRIENDS IN CONFERENCE.
Last night Mr.. Jones was a very busy
man. Receiving his friends consumed
some OF his time. The conferences in his
room at Murphy's took up much more.
EX-Congressman George ID. Wise called,
and remained a long while. Colonel b.
O. James was closeted with the First Dis
trict congressman for an hour or more.
Senator Henry Fairfax. of Loudoun, spent
considerable time with Mr.. Jones I'm the
latter's room. Hon. William r. McRae.
formerly member OF the House OF Dele
gates from Petersburg, had lengthy talk
with the congressman. Hon. John Lamb.
who is a very warm friend of his Virginia
colleague was with Mr. Jones more or
less all day.
1t seemed almost remarkable that so
many of Mr. Jones's friends should have
happened TO be in the city upon the oc-
casion OF his visit here to attend to some
legal business. Mr.. Jone. said that was
the object OF his coming.
There must not be so much signifi-
canoe attached to my visit" said Mr..
Jones 10 Dispatch reporter last night.
II had some legal business here. | came
to attend to it, That is all"
MIR. JONES Is RETICENT
II was intmated that many Of his
friends were helping him.
II am glad TO have 50 many friends,
and glad TO have them call" said Mr..
Jones. But what shall We talk about?
Free coinage or expansion
The reporter suggested that the people
OF Virginia wanted 10 hear him talk just
now Of the senatorial contest next fail.
81 have nothing to say on that sub
ject," replied Mr.. Jones, slowly.
Are you a candidate?' was asked.
Il will not say | am a candidate" said
Mr.. Jones, deliberately.
you have many friends In Virginia
who would like TO hear you were a can
didate." said the reporter.
1T is kind Of you 10 say so. / am sure"
Mr.. Jones replied. And when something
was said about mis- speech at the Rod-
nOke convention of 1897 advocating SEN
atorial primary, he remarked: Il think
that was a popular speech. The PROPOSE
tion to elect senators by the people is
popular in Virginia.
And | will tell you this" he added
with great emphasis, after the next SEN
atOr is elected you are going 10 see the
people Of this State choosing the men
who are 10 be voted for by the General
Assembly for seats i'm the United States
Senate"
Before the conversation ended Mr..
Jones reiterated his declaration mat he
had no statement TO make regarding his
candidacy. II suppose candidates who
will, or are thinking OF opposing Mr.. Mar
tin" he added, would like TO know of all
other candidates. but / have nothing to
make public in the matter"
Is FEELING HIS WAY.
a warm friend of Mr.. Jones's, who had
a lengthy conversation with him last
night, stated that ii was his belief that
the Congressman is feeling his way; mat
he would like a seat in the Senate, and
Is endeavoring 10 learn whether there is
Of getting it. He is consulting
with his friends I'm order to reach a con-
clusion.
Il believe. frankly the gentleman re-
ferred 10 continued that Jones will be
a candidate. | do not think 1t would be
proper TO call him one now. Yes. l TANK
il pretty certain the next Legislature will
have chance 10 vote FOR William A.
Jones for the Senate-and Thomas s.
Martin"
Continuing the speaker said that If
Mr. Jones is a candidate he will make
an active canvass of the entire State. The
opinion was expressed that he would
Mr.. Martin To meet him on the
hustings, and discuss with him the record
Df the junior senator.
A very prominent Democrat expressed
the opinion that Mr.. Jones is not. and
will not be. a candidate. but that he will
name an opponent for the seat now occu-
pied by Mr.. Martin
CANDIDACY OF MR.. MOORE
The candidacy Of Hon. Walton X. Moore
was discussed by Mr.. Jones with his
friends. The two gentlemen have the
friendliest relations. and at least one OF
MIR. Joness callers has always been re-
garded as a principal supporter OF Mr.
Moore.
II is predicted that the announcement of
the candidacy Of Mr.. Jones Will be pre-