Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-05-11
QUESTION OF A CANDIDATE.
A General Belief That MIR. Jones
Will Announce Himself.

The universal sentiment among dele
gates last night was that a candidate
was the logical outcome of the confer
ence.
There seemed little doubt that Mr..
Jones was the man TO make the fight for
the principles enunciated by the confer
ence.
The unequivocal statement Of Mr.. Mon
tague and Of Mr.. Moore that they were
not candidates, and did not propose TO
be. caused those who formerly advocated
the claims of these gentlemen to turn
their eyes towards Mr.. Jones. That gen.
tleman has not declared his candidacy.
when I took up this movement in con-
nection with ifty-two others, / hadn't in
mind the helping Of myself or any man
living" he said to a Dispatch reporter
last night. 81 never was candidate.
am not now candidate
Mr.. Jones would not say he would not
be n candidate. 1t is believed, however
that a declaration of his candidacy will
be forthcoming in a few days. This IS
based upon no utterance made by Mr..
Jones, but upon developments yesterday
the apparent need Of a man TO stand Tor
the principles enunciated by the confer
ence. and the pressure which is being
brought to bear upon the congressman.
announcement of the candidacy OF Mr..
Jones will not be long delayed.
Mr.. Jones expressed himself last night
In most enthusiastic terms concerning
the conference. He said that between
eighty and ninety counties OF the 100 in
the State were represented at the meet
ing. and that the conference was mag
nificent body of Democrats, and more
than met his fullest expectations Indeed.
fr,e hat xr-c- a
great surprise TO him. Among the rep
resentatives," said Mr.. Jones, were a
great many men, who, although not Of
ice-seekers, or office-holders, yet take the
greatest interest in Democracy. There
were present some members OF the state
Democratic Executive Committee, and
great many members of the State Central
Committee. the permanent chairman OF
the convention being a member Of the
latter organization. There were also many
county chairmen in attendance"
Being asked If he cared 10 forecast the
result Of the conference, Mr.. Jones SAID
he had no way of knowing what the
State Committee would do in reply to the
request of the conference. II think"
said he that they ought to grant II, and
| 90 not think they could afford TO dis
regard the action of so important body.
| am, however, not member or that
committee. and therefore am unable 10
state of my own knowledge what they
will do.
IL think the work inaugurated here will
be vigorously prosecuted, and | presume
that the committee provided for in the
resolutions adopted to-day will open
headquarters in this city at an early
date. but inasmuch as the chairman of
the conference has not yet named the
committee, nobody is authorized TO say
what they will do"
Hon. w. A. Anderson. the permanent
chairman Of the conference. was one of
those who conferred with Mr.. Jones last
night. and to a Dispatch man he said:
THE convention, in its membership, its
action, ard its results, was entirely sat
lsfactory TO me. and l think that Virginia
will continue in increasing measure 10
realize the good results OF the work be-
gun to-day.
II have not yet selected the committee
which is 10 carry on the work inaugu-
rated by the convention. but l expect to
do so In a few days. though not until af-
ter / have given the matter careful con-
sideration. as / desire 10 secure only the
best men for this important work We
have not yet selected the committee TO
convey TO the state Committee the re-
ouest for a State convention"
Mr. Anderson will go TO Charleston to-
day TO attend the Confederate reunion.
ne will return to Richmond in a few
days -,
CONGRESSMAN Jones and Mrs. Jones VIII
not return home until tomorrow.