Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-05-27
Governor Atkinson and Dlstln-
guished Officials Of W. Virginia.
VISIT STATE CAPITAL
Advocates of Election OF senator by
Popular Vote Hnvo Not Given Up
Senator rIartin's Friends Favor n
Convcntion-Attitu or the stnfe
Committcc-The senator on the
Ground
Especial to virginian-Pilot

George Wesley Atkinson, of West Vir-
gina, and Mrs. Atkinson and Miss At
kinson. accompanied by Il number of
the West Virginia State officials, called
on Governor Tyler to-day and spent
some time at the Office of the Virginia
Executive.
In the party. besides those named,
were Secretary of State w. NJ. o. Daw-
son. Attorney General Edgar p Ruck-
er. Adjutant General Appleton and
State Treasurer NJ. a. Kendall.
After some time spent at the Gov
ernors Office, Governor Tyler and Pri-
vate Secretary Owen escorted the party
through the State Library building and
later about the square. The ladies of
the party especially admired the beau
tiful roses in the square. and expressed
the wish that the Canitol grounds at
Charleston were similarly beautiful.
The party went from the Capitol to
the jefferson for lunch and then left
FOR Old Point. They are returning from
the Peace Jubilee in Washington
SENATOR BY POPULAR VOTE
Though the advocates of n State con-
vention for the purpose of nominating
candidate for the United States Sem
ate have not given up all hope. they
admit there is little prospect OF tho con
vention being ordered by the State
Committee. which meets here the 18th
of June.
The sentiment of thirty of the mem
bers. Mt least, Is said to be dead against
convention There may be n lengthy
fight in committee ana u spicy debate,
but 1t is expected TO be without fruit
so far as the advocates of n conycn-
ton are concerned.
Hon. William A. Anderson. chairman
of the State Senatorial Conference. has
not yet announced the executive COM
mittee of the Senatorial Reform League
This committee of twenty is expected
10 be announced Monday The head
quarters OF the league Will be opened Mt
once in the Chamber of Commerce
building, where rooms have already
been secured.
FOR MARTIN AND a CONVENTION
Some of Senator Martins friends are
advocating the convention movement
Ihey say that inasmuch as the fight
has opened up unusually early it would
be well To have it ended as soon as
possible in order that other issues may
be considered in the election OF mem
bcrs OF the Legislature.
Should a convention be called il will
be held before nominations for the SEN
'itc anu mouse Oh l)clCPlteS are made.
The convention would be called for n
date not later than the first week i'm
September. 1t would probably be held
in August.
NOT LIKELY TO YIELD.
1t does not appear as yet that the
sentiment among the members of the
committee is sufficiently pronounced as
TO justify the prediction that a conven-
ton Will he ordered. Leaders who have
great influence are still contending that
the committee has no authority. in face
OF the action at Roanoke, to call a con-
Xention for the purnosc Of nominatin.
q candidate for the Senate
III is possible, but not probable. how
ever. that by he time the committee
meets MIR. Martins supporters may
agree to the convention proposition In
order TO settle the question as early
as practicable
Senator Thomas s. Martin has re-
turned 10 the city ana was in his rooms
OF Murphy's Hotel to-day. Mrs. Mar
ain is back in Richmond.
ne Senator was called upon by n
number of his Richmond friends He
Us greatly pleased with the action of
INC central Trades and Labor Council
III endorsing his candidacy. The Sena
tor VIII write the Council n letter ac-
2 knnNleti s5itls5s -reccl =. ti,--.t-5f,lu
lions.
There is considerable interest mani
Tested in Richmond in the result of the
election held in King William. King
and Queen, Essex. Mathews ana Mid.
dleseX on the question of subscribing to
the stock of the proposed Tidewater
railroad.
Gloucester has already voted favora
bly, upon the proposition
Hon. Geo. y. Wise. Mr. Miles NJ.
Martin and Mr.. II. d. Eichelberger
have returned from their canvass in
behalf of the railroad. News received
here to-day indicate that all the coun-
iles, with the possible exception of King
william. have voted for the railroad.
The West Point merchants made n
vigorous fight in opposition and have
probably defeated the scheme in their
county. If this should prove to be true
the contest Will be kept up and another
effort made in King William next fall