Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-04-04

SPECULATION AS TO THE RESULT
OF SENATORIAL CONFERENCE.
JONES Ind MONTAGUE TALKED OF.
II n Nomination Is Decided Upon,
One or the other Of These Likely
10 he Choxen-A state Convention
Thought Quite Probable.

There are two things in connection with
| the approaching senatorial conference
here that are attracting most attention.
They are the plan which will be the out
come 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 a primary or a
State convention Opinion as TO which
method OF selecting a candidate will be
favored Is much divided. The majority.
probably look for the conference to call
upon the State Committee to issue call
for a convention. The convention viii be
expected TO select a candidate 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 a convention be called the
body will be asked TO provide for the Sc
lection Of a senatorial candidate by the
primary plan. There will be n fight over
this proposition. of course. just as there
was at the Roanoke convention in 1891.
But the friends of the plan are confident
Of its being carried through the cOnven-
ton with all ease, arguing thus from the
narrow margin By which it was defeated
in the Roanoke convention when 1t was
sprung without notice and before senti-
ment In it's favor had been worked up.
The agitation Oh the question since that
time; the great strength the movement
fff.
ference here In May, and the sentiment
in favor OF. primary which was de-
yoloped throughout the State by the fight
at Roanoke. are all dwclt upon by the adj
vocates Of the plan in making predictions
OF It's adoption.
WHO WILL LEAD?
The question as TO the candidate who
will be put forward to stand for the popu-
lar movement is probably the most in
tcresting. Those prominently mentioned
are few.
Many people regard Congressman W.
A. Jones as the logical candidate. The
strong fight which he made at the hca-
noke convention for the primary plan; his
freouent utterances upon the question
since: the fact that he is the chief inquire
in the movement for the conference mere
next month all make him, in the eyes OF
the public, the man naturally proper 10
lead the fight before the people. This IS
recognized by those most prominent In
the movement.
The withdrawal OF Hon. r. Wal |
ton Moore. announced in the Wash
ington correspondence Of the DIS
patch Sunday, leaves Governor ~
Ter and Acknowledgement Montague
the only persons prominently men
toned. Each has said he would not
he q candidate. 1t Is believed, however, |
that should Mr.. Montague receive the
he would accept Indeed IL
Is probable that should he receive any
thing like popular request or assurance
of popular desire that he enter the race,
he would consent. Being young man.
Mr Montague feels that he should not be
oyerambtious He thinks he should not
push himself when older men are In the
field.
Mr.. Montague is probably as well known
I'm Virginia as Congressman Jones
Though young. he has been active in pom
ties for several years, and has cahNasseu
nearly the entire State. 1t Is true lhaI
wherever he has spoken he has made al
mirors. He IS one Of the hnest stump
sneakers in the State. His friends thinK
no man of his age his superior on the
husfinRs. and do not admit that many OF
his seniors surpass, or even equal, nm.
Mr.. Montague is an ardent advocate or
the popular selection Of senatorial canai-
dates. He will probably take tho stump
in the state in the interest of the move
ment should # become apparent that MS
services were needed.
The conference will probably develop
the candidate. The man who strikes lne
KEYNOTE there will be the man TO lead Inc
fight that viii follow.
SENATOR DANIELS POSITION.
Senator Daniel has not declared himself |
i'm opposition TO the primary plan since
his contest with Mr.. Jones at the koa-
nol,e convention. One OF the GROUNDS |
upon which his opposition was then based
was that the people had not had time 10 |
think over and discuss Il and reach an IN |
telIigent conclusion. This ground does not |
now exist. and friends Of the Plan S-y
Senator Daniel must have seen IN the
mean time that sentiment in favor or the |
urinary is in the ascendancy in Virginia
While. of course. a realization or TINS |
fact could in no wise affect the Senator !
views as to the wisdom OF the plan, the
advocates Of the primary think that IKE
senator Martin. Senator Daniel may ue-
clnre himself willing to accept any plan
desired by a majority Of the people ana
do nothing to thwart the purposes OF the