Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-06-14
JONES WILL NOT RUN
Again Declares Aeb Not a cahdi-
date for The Senate,
FIGHT TO Be PROSECUTED,
Reform Committee Organized and Plan
Of Campaign Adopted.
MIR. ANDERSON IS CHAIRMAN.
An Address to the Voters Soon TO lie
Issucd-Mr. Garnctt Made Secretary
and Headquarters TO he Kept
pcn--Committcemcn Go Home.
MIR. ANDERSON IS CHAIRMAN
observation-disclosures Go Home.

II seems at last definitely settled that
Hon. William A. Jones VIII not be Il
candidate for the Senate IN opposition TO
Mr.. Martin. and that there will not be
a second candidate.
Mr.. Jones was caught by a Dispatch
reporter at the rooms Of the Senatorial
Reform Committee, in the Chamber of
Commerce building, just as he was on
the point of leaving TO catch the Wash
ington train last night. He had spent
the greater part of the day at the rooms
of the committee, talking with friends
and writing letters.
"Will / be a candidate for the Senate"
he said repeating the reporters question.
and smiling slightly. ut seems to me
have answered that question before. l
have stated upon all occasions, when
questioned upon this subject, that ] was
not a candidate for the Senate and did
not expect to become one. Notwithstand-
ing this fact, the opponents OF the pro-
position TO give the Democratic voters
Of Virginia an opportunity 10 express
their choice for United states senator
have persisted in declaring that l really
desired to become a candidate and would,
in time announce my candidacy. 10y
impugnng my motives they hoped TO
iniure cause which they knew to be
Just and thus promote the ambition of
another, whose overzealous partisans they
are known to be.
NOT A CANDIDATE, NEVER WAS
II am not now candidate AID there
never has been a moment when desired
to become one" Mr.. Jones continued,
slowly and emphatically. For the past
few years / have believed that it was the
duty of the Democrats Of Virginia TO
provide some popular method by which
the voters might express their choice Tor
United States senators. | have believed
and stu believe. that the best and iairest
method by which that expression may be
secured is a state primary. Every effort
heretofore made by the friends OF the
popular election of senators to commit
the Democratic party in Virginia 10 the
principle of the nomination Of senatorial
candidates at party primaries has been
thWarted by those who mus lay them-
selves open to the accusation that they
are afraid of d popular verdict. seeing
il was impossible 10 secure a general
urinary at this time 1 favored u State
nominating convention The influences
that defeated State primaries have now
comprised the defeat Of the convention
movement. and. for the time being, the
only thing left 10 be done Is 70 commend
to the individual voters the recommen-
dations of the May conference and APP
Ia
been perpetrated against them.
HERALDED AS \ VICTORY.
THE action of the State Committee"
Mr.. Jones went on, which | learn is be-
ing heraded as a great victory, was a
foregone conclusion. Did not you predict
it in Sundays Dispatch with absolute
accuracy? The majority OF the commit
tee. at least. should have spared them
selves the inconsistency of adopting a
resolution. the preamble Of which de-
clared it to have been adopted after the
committee had heard. with interest, and
had considered. carefully, the request sub
United to them by Mr.. Parker.
IF this be true" said Mr. Jones, they
must have secured in advance a copy OF
the admirable argument made 10y MT.
Parker. for certain it is the resolution
preamble and all, was prepared before the
meeting OF the committee and considered
carefully In some other place than the
committee-room.'
MR.. RIXEY NOT SURPRISED.
Congressman Rixey returned home yes
terday afternoon.
.Of course l was not surprised at the
verdict of the State Committee" he SAID
to a Dispatch reporter. The friends OF
the movement have known all along that
a majority of the committee was opposed
TO the popular election Of senators. they
thinking the movement against the inte-
rest of Senator Martin.
And i want TO tell you" he con-
timed that while we, as loyal Demo
Gratis, acquiesce in the decision OF ,he
committee. we will prosecute this fight.
as we have the right to do. Victory Is
only "a question of time"
Mr. Jones has told me to-day he
would not be a candidate. This is only
in keeping with his repeated declarations
thai he had no selfish interests at stake.
He has acted throughout upon hish
plane. and has elevated himself in the
eyes of all honorable men.
"The Democrats I'm every county of the
State" concluded Mr.. Rixey, "should see
10 II that their candidates for the Legls-
lature are pledged to carry out the re-
concentrations of the May conference"
REFORM COMMITTEE MEETS.
prolonged meeting of the Reform
Committee was held yesterday AT head-
quarters in the Chamber Of Commerce
building. and a permanent organization |
was effected.
Hon. Diliam A. Anderson, of LeXing-
ton was elected chairman. and Mr.. Les
lie &. Garnett, of Mathews, was elected
secretary.
Ueadauarters will be kept open proba-
INV all summer. until the election or
members OF the Legislature next fall. The
man Of campaign was sketched, and par
tally agreed upon. Mr.. Jones stated az
fer The meeting of the committee mat lie
believed the plan of campaign. which IL
not made public, would prove effective.
An address to the voters of the state
will be issued In a short time. The date
of its appearance Is dependent upon Mr.
Anderson who IL at the bedside OF his
niece. thought TO be fatally Ill at board
ing school in Staunton.
TALK OF CANDIDATES.
There is possibility that there will
be a candidate, but II is not probable.
Al the meeting OF the committee yester-
day a great many men were spoken OF as
-.