The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-10
SONS OF VETERANS IN FIRST SESSION Attendance Largest In History
 of Organization JEFFERSON IS PRESIDING Committee on Credentials Will Report This Morning and It Is Under
 stood There Will Be No
 Opposition.

The United Sons of Confederate Vet erans met yesterday morning in the Gayety theater in the first days session of their thirteenth annual convention. The meeting was opened at 9:30 O clock and the body was perm anently organized, aft CT which it was formally turned over to w. w. Brandon of Tuscaloosa, com mander of the Third brigade, Alabama division, who In turn placed the conven- ton in the hands of Albert c. Sexton of Montgomery, commander of the Alabama division. MT. Sexton upon taking the chair pursued the regular order by turn ing the convention over to Clarence ]. Owens of Abbeville, comma nder of the army of Tennessee department, who pro ceeded to place the convention in the lands of John W. Apperson, commander in-chef, U. s. c. w. of Memphis, who assumed the command for the reunion exercises.
 Following the assumption of the com mand by Commandant Apperson the fol- lowing order of business was proceeded with:
 Roll call of general officers and of camps of the Confederation in numerica. order by the adjutant-general.
 As the camps were called. the chair man of each delegation answered and promptly handed to the adjutant-general the credentials of his camp to which was attached certificate showing payment Of per capita tax.
 Ann0tntmpni nf 1nn t. consisting of one member from each divi- sion
 To this committee was referred the ere dentials of all delegates It will verify these by the records of the adjutant-sen- eral, arrange the roll of the convention, and assign to each camp the number of votes to which 1t is entitled.
 Appointment of committee to extend for nal greetings to the convention of the United Confederate Veterans.
 Convention then took recess, and repair ed to the Hippodrome auditorium to par ticipate in the opening session of the United Confederate Veterans
 At 2:30 o'clock yesterday afternoon the Sons reconvened and were called to order by Commandant Sexton. The exercises were opened with an invocation by the Rev. John w. Caldwell Jr, chaplain general U. s. c. V. Owing to the recep. tion given the sponsors, maids and chape- rons at the Country Club yesterday aft ernoon, necessitating their early depart ture the order of the progra mme was re- versed to a great extent Commandant Apperson was introduced to the conven- ton, by Commandant Sexton. MT Apper- son welcomed the convention and then in troduced to the audience Clarence l. Owens. who presented the sponsors, maids. matrons and chaperons. Mir Owens first presented Miss Eva Conner, sponsor of thu South, and her maids of honor. and in turn, presented the division, department and camp sponsors and their maids, and the matrons and chaperons.
 J. P. Norfleet, commandant of Camp N. B. Forrest, No. 215 of Memphis, responded to MT. Owens address welcoming the sponsors.
 The formal address of welcome in be- half of the state of Alabama was deliver ed by Lieutenant Governor Henry B. Gray. In behalf of the city of Birming- ham, Alderman John c. Forney spoke in the place of Mayor George B. Ward. In behalf of the United Confederate Vet erans, Capt. w. C. Ward spoke for Sena- tor Joseph F. Johnston, who was absent. John H. Wallace welcomed the sons in behalf of the Alaba ma division, U. S. c. V. Mrs. C. M. Tardy welcomed them in behalf of Pelham Chapter, U. D. C. Com mandant J. R. Rountree addressed the body in behalf of Camp Henry D. Clayton No. 432, U. S. c. w.. Governor Jared Y. Sanders of Louisiana, was not pres ent, and his place was filled by Thomas Collier.
 Owing to the length of the exercises yesterday afternoon the address of Lee Merriwether of St Louis on Jefferson Davis. the Only President of the Cor rederacy." was postponed It will be de- livered the first thing this morning when the convention will assemble at 9:30 cclock.
 The following programme will be car ried out by the Sons today:
 Music.
 1. Invocation by the Rev, R, W. Cakes.