The evening times., 1899-04-10
CHOICE OF SENATORS
BY POPULAR VOTE
Plans for the Democratic Con.
ference at Richmond.
Expected to Lead to a National
Movement.
An Effort to Bring Aboat an AuAensl-
mcnt of the Federal Con-
HtitutiOn.

Richmond. Va, April 10.-The confer
| ence here on May IL 10 agitate the, ques-
| ton of the nomination of United States
promises TO have an important national
bearing
| It's believed by those who are conspicu-
Gus in the furtherance of this plan that
the action OF the conference will lead TO
movements in other States for not only the
nomination. but for the election of United
States Senators by popular vote.
1t is expected that the May conference
will adopt resolutions and plans which will
set on foot a movement which will cause
the agitation of this question in many of
the other States Of the Union. Not only
is the conference expected to take action
which will result in the demand for the
nomination of Democratic Senators, but
it is quite probable that a sentiment will
be expressed by this gathering in favor Of
Senators Daniel and Martin supporting in
the United States Senate any resolutions
which may be offered in that body provid-
ing for amending the Federal Constitution
SO as to require United States Senators to
be elected by the people.
AhSic 10 an iulpTtSsiOu tutSS III
charge Of the movement looking to the
Senatorial primaries in this State are con-
Quoting their campaign in a haphazzard
sort Of way. This is denied. There is the
highest authority for the statement that
all OF the arrangements for the 11th OF
May conference are being perfected in the
most systematic and methodical manner.
Those in charge of the movement have re-
ceived assurances that this meeting will
be one of the most successful as well as
one of the most important that has ever
been attempted in the State
A plan has been or is being formulated
which will be submitted to the confer
ence which will outline exactly how it is
proposed the primary elections will be held
and how the initiatory steps are to be TAX
Ell for calling for the primaries in the diff
ferent cities and counties of the common
wealth. --,-s-.,
When this subject was up before the
State convention in Roanoke in lS9. il was
suggested that the primary plan adopted by
the Democrats OF South Carolina might be
accepted as model for this State Sena-
tor Daniel and others who opposed the
proposition raised several objections TO
the South Carolina plan. One of the most
serious of these was that the latter provid-
ed that where the returns showed that no
candidate had received a majority of all
the votes embraced in the city or county
another election should be held. This
/ would subject, IL was claimed the voters
TO unnecessary trouble and the party or
State TO needless expense in the holding
OF repeated elections. 1t is quite certain
that the Richmond conference will not
recommend any plan based on that in
operation in South Carolina. but will ac-
cept a simpler and less expensive one
! The papers Of the State with but very
Few exceptions. have heartily endorsed
the objects of the May conference. and re-
ports from the country districts represent
that the Democrats are heartily in favor
OF the election of Senators by the people
The fact OF the growing peSer OF trusts
and combinations in this country is TO be
emphasized in the agitation Of the demand
Tor the Senatorial primaries. 1t will be
attempted TO be shown that the growing
strength of these powerful organiZati ions
should be Offset by the people in the selec-
tion of United States Senators by popular
vote. Gen. Fitzhugh Lee was one of the
nfst pablo men 10 agitate the question in
virginia or The selection OF Senators by
the people. and had he remained in the
held against Mr. Martin it was his purpose
to make a canvass Of the State in the
advocacy OF this plan. But his determine
t!on. as il Is understood. to remain in the
regular army caused him 10 change his
resolution. General Lees friends how
ever. with few exceptions. have aligned
themselves in favG OF the objects of the
May conference. Some. however, have re-
Gently expressed themselves in opposition
10 the primary plan.
II is stated upon the authority of those
most conspicuous in the. movement for the
May conference that Mr.. Martin will GER
tainly have opposition to his re- e-elec;ion to
the Senate. Several names have been
mentioned in this connection, but it is Eot
positively asserted who they are to be.
The friends. though OF Congressman
Jones Insist that he is the logical candi-
date. and they are pressing him to permit
his name TO be announced before the
meeting takes place. Whether Mr. Jones
will consent to this those here closest to
that gentleman are not yet authorized to