The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-06-02
SONS OF VETERANS
Eject APPERS0N
Forrest Camp Commander Be
comes Commander-in-Chicf
of Order.
aRAnDsoMs NOT ELIGIBLE
Aftcr Long Debate They Are Dc
MED Adinission-convcntion
Adjourns.

The twelfth annual reunion Of the
nrited Sons OF Confederate Veterans
came to an end at +. NJ. yesterday
after continuous session lasting
more than six hours, and one into
which much of the really important
business of the convention was crowd
cd.
The convention closed most har-
moniously, the selection OF officers.
over which q spirited contest was Mt
crst anticipated, being made without
the semplance OF a contest Com
n.ander John w. Appcrson of Menu
rhis. Tenn, distinguished member
OF the Nathan u. Forrest Camp OF
Sons. the largest In the organization,
was chosen commandment chief by
Unanimous vote. Three department
&C ininanders We're chosen without OPP
position and by unanimous vote
Perhaps the most important action
OF the convention was the creation OF
the Office Of historian general. and the
unanimous election of DR.. Thomas NJ.
Owen, the scholarly retiring com
1nander-in-c of the confederation.
rs the first incumbent of that i'm
portant post. His election was a recog-
milton OF the distinguished service he
has already rendered the State OF Ala.
bama as state historian and archivst
Dnd the cause OF the Confederacy as
an interchangeable worker in the cause OF
maintaining the truths of history and
the dissipation of error therein.
Grnndsons Not Eligible.
One of the most important acts OF
yesterdays long session was the defeat
by decisive vote of n constitutional
amendment designed to let down the
bars and admit to the United Sons OF
Confederate Veterans, others than sons
OF soldiers who bore arms in the cause
OF the Confederacy. Despite the fact
that 1t was asserted that the grandson
and namesakc of Jefferson Davis was
not eligible to membership in the Sons
and that those men who enlisted and
were detailed for duty elsewhere than
in the field could not come in under
the existing eligibility clause. the con-
sention by vote OF lT3 noes to Ito
ayes, buried the amendment.
To Preserve History.
An important phase of the discus
Hion of the work OF the Sons yester-
day and throughout the convention was
as to the paramount Importance of col
lecting and preserving the history and
archives OF the Confederacy and of the
States composing 1t, and of che writing
or school histories which shall not
rnisreprcsent the fathers. In this con-
ncction 1t is proper not to note that at
tention was directed to the fact that
the appointment of n general commit
tee on history and archives. specih-
cally provided for In the constitution
had never been made. Before adjourn
3ng the retiring commander-in-chie1
named n general committee on perma-
ncnt archives. consisting of one mem
Der from each State division.
Greeting From Veterans.
During the session a delegation OF
three veterans, headed by Lie<enant-
Governor j. Taylor Ellysoh. chairman
entered the hall and extended the
greetings of the United Confederate
Veterans to the Sons, as Commander
John w. Appcrson, of n. b. Forres,
Camp, u. S. C.. ", had already extended
the greetings Of the Sons to the faith
crs.
The report of Acknowledgement Sex.
ton showed that Virginia led all the
States in the number OF camps of Sons
with Tennessee ten and Texas nine. The
Nirginians had an opportunity for ap.
plause and their comrades united in The
spontaneous cheering.
Cheers for Sponsors.
The severe northeast gale and rail-
~ hich prevailed without intcrmissioi
during the entire day greatly dimin
ished the attendance, but of those
present, many OF the most prominen
and Jealous Sons of Veterans were in
GUIDED. The delegates occupied seat
On the wide rostrum, so that all nigh
hear. During the session three of tn
sponsors and maids for the Sons o
Veterans entered the hall, and wer
received with cheers. the convention
rising en- masse to greet them. Com
1nander-in-Chief owen introduced eacl
of the trio, and they occupied seats t
his left during the remainder of tn
long session.
The Routine Work.
Almost Immediately after tho open
ing routine the convention got dow
TO work on receiving and acting upo
deferred reports of standing and spe
cial committees, but few of these wer
written, and We're made generally 1
the form of statements or addresse!
The report of the. history committe