Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-04-02
INTEREST IS INTENSE,
Conference as to Selection Of
Senators Attracts Attention
WILL Be LARGELY ATTENDED.
Hen Not Usually ActlYo In Politics
Viii Be Present.
ATTITUDE OF MARTINS FRIENDS.
Some of These Among the signers,
and Some Expected to Attend, Bua
Not In an Organized way-No Oppo.
sition Expressed.
ATTITUDE OF MARTINS FRIENDS.
Some OF These Among the sisners,

IL Is safe to say that public interest IN
the conference TO DO held bare I'm M.w
70 consider methods Of making POPULAR
choice Oh candidates for the United States
senate has reached degree OF intensive
which has not been surpassed by thar
manifested In any question that has arisen
IN Virginia politics within recent years.
IL Is a fact commented upon thar in
many sections Of the State men who
nave heretofore been content to do the
voting, leaving the politicians 10 do the
talking. are taking the liveliest interesu
IN the movement and favor 1t invariably.
rms Is true Of many Of the heretofore
quiet voters OF this city.
WILL SEE STRANGE FACES
THE question as to whether the friends
Of Mr.. Martin will attend the meeting
Is an interesting one" said one OF the
signers Of the call last night. They may
or they may not. but there are going Ia
be many persons there who will be figurss
far more interesting than the political
friends Of Mr.. Martin, or any other public
man.
you are going TO SEQ I'm the confer.
ence." he continued. "a number OF tina
businessmen Of Richmond and Virginia
whom you never saw take part In po-
litical gathering before. know that a
number OF such men from this city will
be there, and have assurance that tho
same Is 10 be true Of many OF the coun-
ties"
The rumor that IL was to be the policy
OF the supporters Of Mr.. Martin to 80 into
the conference with view To capturing,
or at least rendering It's work a nulity.
is not credited. Mr.. Martins statement.
made I'm the Dispatch last week. that he
was taking no steps to have his friends
attend the conference, and expected 10
take none, is not the only ground upon
which Is based the belief that the Sem
ator's friends will not try TO obtain con-
troll OF the conference.
A LIMITED CALL.
1t Is pointed out that the call for the
conference invites the attendance only
or advocates Of the choice Of senator's
and senatorial candidates by popular Sc
lection. 1t is not believed that opponents
OF the idea would respond TO such call.
Furthermore, Mr.. Martin Is on record
I'm the Dispatch OF Friday last as being
willing to accept any plan for the seiec-
ton or candidates for the Senate which
may be acceptable 10 the majority OF thu
people OF the State Not single FREUD
OF his has ever publicly expressed oppj-
sition TO the conference. Not line In
the published call refers TO Mr.. Mafen
or his senatorial candidacy Several
friends OF Mr.. Martins signed the call.
The fact must be realized that a Martin
man is not per Sc opposed 10 the confer
ence. Mr.. Martin himself has said IN
effect that he does not oppose It's main
object, II IT be the object Of majority
Of the people OF Virginia.
The conference Will be very largely at
tended. Many OF the bcst-known men In
Virginia have signifed their intention of
being present. One OF the signers OF tho
call said last night he thought thS gath
ering would have much the appearance
Of State convention. The attendance.
Of course. will not be so great. but tho
leaders Will be the men who take
position In every state gath
ering Of Virginia Democrats.
PRIMARY OR CONVENTION?
The question Is frequently asked. What
will the conference do2 What steps Will
L take 10 have the Democratic candidate
for the Senate chosen by the Democratic
voters OF the State?
IL Is the opinion that the conference
will declare In favor OF a senatorial pri-
mary. There IS minority which thinks
L will declare for a state convention.
Another question frequently asked Is,
VIII the action Of the conference be de-,
.igned 10 affect the selection OF the cam
iidate for the Senate this fall? There
eems a curiously unanimous opinion that
[ VIII not. Occasionally "A friend OF the
movement Is found who says there is no
.eason why the next candidate for ths
senate voted for by the Democrats OF
he Virginia Legislature should not be
/ man chosen by the people either at .
primary or I'm convention.
IL IS said that Of the sixteen candidates
or the House Of Delegates from Rich-
nond. every one Is said 10 be AN advo-
afe OF the conference.