The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-11
MER|WETHER MAKES
 ADDRESS ID SONS
GnIy Short Session Was Held
 Yesterday
SESSION RESENIS CHARGE
Maintains That South Before War Was Progressive ln6ustrially and Was Not Inhabited by
 Idlers.

The United Sons of Confederate Vet their programme yesterday morning al 9:S0 o'clock with the address of Lee Meriwether of St. Louis on Jefferson Davis. the Oniy President of the Con- federacy" Mr. Merfwether spoke iil giorifeation of President Davis and the address was delivered with fire and eloauence.
 At the conclusion of MT. Meriwether address the regular business set for yesterday morning was taken up. The report of the committee on credentials was heard. The committee reported that there were 531 accredited dele gates registered, Alabama having 14i of this number. The report was adopted without contest.
 The reports of commanders and other officers were received and adopted.
 Thomas Upton Sisson of Mississippi addressed the convention extemporane- ously His subject was The Progress of the South" In one instince, ad- dressing Commandant Apperson, he said You know, Jack, what makes me mad. It Is that they say your father and mine were idlers." He then cited figures which showed that in 1860 the south had S9S7 miles of railway, $ against only a little over 5000 miles altogether. Nearly every mile of the southern roads was, he said, built all most absolutely by southern capita. Figures showing the high advancement made before the war by NlN south iu other industrial lines were also given We raised. in 1860, 5000, 900 bales of cotton. and the other states of the Union raised none," he said, yet We were idlers.'
 The reports of the various commit tees were heard and adopted with but little alteration or amendment.
 At the afternoon session, whne the address of ". L. Mason of Georgia on '.General Forests Pursuit of Streit's Raiders" was called for, motion was introduced that the address bepost- poned until this morning, owing to the fact that there were a great number of Sons absent who would like to hear MT. Mason's address. A motion was also offered that Adjt. Gen. N. B. For rest be instructed to invite Company of Nashville to be present to hear MT Mason's address. The great majority of the members of Company A are sur vivors of the old Forrest cavalry, and for this reason they will be invited to hear the address. Both motions were adopted unanimously
 The historical papers of the members of the staff of the commander-in-c chief were received and adopted without be- ing read, with the exception of that Of the adjutant general on finances, which will be referred to the committee on finances to be audited.
 At this point one of the delegates offered a motion for adjournment. which was seconded and adopted, the convention to meet again this morning at o'clock.
 The session this morning will in all probability be very short as the Sons will be expected to take part in the Veterans parade which will be formed at 1O:3O o'clock. The address of MT. Mason of Georgia will probably be the first matter heard.
 At the afternoon session today the officers for the ensuing year will be elected. It is an assured fact that Commandant John W. Apperson will run for reelection. It is understoo that W. w. Olds of Norfolk, Va, will run against MT. Apperson. Apparently these two men are the only aspirants for the high position.