Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-04-04
The Senatorial Conference At
tracing Much Attention.
PRIMARY OR CONVENTION
Tho Former Method VIII Possibly 80
Decided Upon Congressman
Jones tho Probable Cnndidnte-At-
torucy General Montague Declines
to Talk About Tho oyster Contro-
versy -.ThIrty-rour Years Ago.
Especial to virginian-Pilot.)

Richmond, Va. April 3.-Therc are
two things in connection with the APP
preaching Senatorial conference here
that are attracting most attention.
They are the plan which will be the
outcome of the meeting. and the man
who will be chosen as the champion Of
the popular movement.
There seems no question that the con-
ference will recommend n primary or
State convention. Opinion as TO which
method of selecting candidate will
be favored Is much divided. The ma
jority. probably. look for the conference
to call upon the State committee to
issue Il call for Il convention. The con-
Vention will be expected to select can
didatc for The Senate. or TO provide for
the holding of county primaries for this
purpose. 1t seems probable that the
primary method will be adopted. At
least. 1t is the more general belief. that
should n convention be called. the body
will he asked TO provide for The sclec-
tion Of Il Senatorial candidate by the
primary plan. There will be n fight
over this proposition. of course just as
thNit Nsssa atl VIC iNOdIDtc convention
in 1897. But the friends OF the plan
are confident of its being carried
through the convention with all ease.
arguing thus from the narrow margin
by which il was defeated in the Roa-
noke convention when IL was sprung
without notice and before n sentiment
In its favor had been worked up The
agitation of the question since that
time the great strength the movement
is expected 10 receive from the con-
ference here in May and the sentiment
In favor of primary which was de-
Teioped throughout tho State by the
hight at Roanoke, are all dwelt upon by
the advocates of the 9lan in making
prediction of It's adoption.
Ihe question as to the candidate who
Will be nut forward to stand for the
popular movement is probably the most
interesting. Those prominently men
toned are few.
1t is recognized that Congressman w.
A. Jones is the logical candidate. The
strong fight which he made ut the Roa-
noke convention for the primary plan.
ms frequent utterances upon the cues
tlon since, the fact that he is the chief
figure in the movement for The confer
ence here Eext month--all make him,
In the eyes of the public. The man natu-
rally proper TO lead the fight before
the people. This Is recognized by those
most prominent in the movement
me Withdrawal of Mr.. Walton Moore.
announced in the Washington CORE
sponuence of the Dispatch Sunday.
leaves Governor Tyler and Attorney
General Montague the only candidates
prominently mentioned Each has soid
he would not he 4 candidate |. is he
neVcd, however, that should MIR. Mon
tSgue receive the nomination he would
accept. Indeed, i is probable that
snould he receive anything like non
u'ar request, or assurance Of popular
desire that ne enter the race he would
consent Icing n young man. Mr.. Mon
tGgue feels that he should not be over
enlpitlous. Ia thinks he should not
Tie field. - = -
Mr.. Montague Is probably better
known in Virginia than Congressman
jones Though young. he has henn oc-
tive In politics for several years. ana
mas canvassed nearly the entire state
~ is true that wherever he has spoken
he has made admirers. TIc is ono NJ
me finest stump speakers In the state
HIS friends think no man of his nrc
ms superior on tho Hastings. and do
not admit that many Of his seniors sur
pass. or even equal him.
Inc conference Will probably deveion
me candidates The man who strikes
the keynote there Will be the man ~
lead the fight that will follow
THE OYSTER DISPUTE
Attorney General Montague who con-
ferred with the Attorney General nc
Maryland Saturday, said to-day tharo
was nothing he could say with refer
ence to what took place. He will mako
his report to Governor Tyler who viii
return to the city early next week. In
Maryland will report to Govcrror
Lowndes and he Will inform Mr.. Mon.
tague OF the result
There seems to be no doubt that the
DR.. Mitchell says in diff