Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-04-11
WILL OPEN AN OFFICE,
A Bureau Of Information for May
Conference to Be Established.
CONGRESSMAN JONES IS HERE
Says the Outlook for the Meeting
is Highly Encouraging.
THE INTEREST is UNIVERSAL.
signers of the Call Have Bcen Re-
ceiving Letters from All Over the
Country Regarding the Movements
Many Fine Speakers Expected.
THE INTEREST Is UNIVERSAL.


mond last night for the purpose Of ar
ranging for the establishment OF a bu-
reau OF information in connection with
| the movement for a senatorial confer
| ence. and also of consulting with Rich
| mond promoters Of the movement with
regard to securing hall for the meeting
of May 1lth.
Mr. Jones stated that the immense
| number of letters he and others who had
signed the call for the conference had re-
ceived from every section of this State
and from other States made it certain
that the interest in the movement was
deep and widespread. He had. he said,
never known any subject to attract more
attention and favor.
WILL NEED A BIG HALL.
'It makes it certain" he said, that
the crowd which will attend will be
large and representative one. one of the
largest halls available will have to be Sc
cured. or all who desire cannot get in.
We have not finally selected the place
"The letters which have been received"
continued Mr. Jones, "also convinced me
that an information bureau is needed. 1t
is not possible to answer all correspond
ence on the subject, unless one gives up
ones whole time to It. a secretary and
stenographer Will be placed in charge"
Mr.. Jones stated that he could not say
as yet where the bureau would be estab
lished. nor who would be placed In charge.
These matters will be decided during his
stay here. He will remain n day or two.
Mr.. Jones said he was especially graft
fled to know that so many Of the best
known public speakers in Virginia would
attend the conference. He had received
assurances that many Of the best-known
campaign orators in the State proposed
attending.
WHO WILL BE ADMITTED.
Concerning the nature OF the confer
ence. Mr.. Jones said that that would be
determined upon when the body con-
yened He felt confident that the attend
ance would be very large, indeed, ana
that the most representative men in the
Democratic party in Virginia would be
present All who favored the election OF
senators by the people would be welcome.
The call extended an invitation TO such.
and the matter of personal preference
would make no difference whatever. Ot
the success OF the movement the con-
gresham from the First District is very
sanguine.
..'rhe time is ripe for the settlement or
this greatly-agtated question of the pop
ular choice of Senator's" said Mr.. Jones.
.At least twenty-five States of the Union
have thus far declared themselves in IA
vor of delegating to the people the power
of choosing their senators, and l believe
that it is only question OF snort whlle
ere Congress will submit to the people
constitutional amendment along this line.
Those legislatures which have not al
ready acted upon the question VIII,
think. do so next winter ana in the next
wear expect to see this country present
a solid front in favor of such an amend
ment as will make the Legislative dead
locks OF the past an impossiDility Ill 'iie
future"
Mr.. Jones talked last night with seve-
raj signers of the call for May confer
ence and others interested In il, and all
were eratified at the great interest shown
in the proposition TO meet what Is be-
lieved TO be the popular wish or the peo-
nle of Virginia I'm the matter of making
senatorial nominations. Just what course
the conference will deem II best to adopt
cannot be told in advance. Mr.. Jones
will probably remain here until to-mor-
row evening, though he may be able to
get away tonight
ATTITUDE OF MARTIN MEN.
II is understood that there will be no
organized effort made by the friends OF
Mr.. Martin either TO encourage the con-
ference or 10 control its action. Mr.. Mar
lin assured the Dispatch week ago that
No effort had been. or would be, made 10
influence his friends against or In favor
of attending the meeting. There has been
no change in their position since. \ friend
of Mr.. Martin said yesterday that he
thought some of the Senator's adherents
ycould attend, though there would be no
on the subject one way or
the other.