Mr. A. W. Patterson, Chairman of the Executive Committee, called the Association to order at 11 o'clock A. M., and said:

Gentlemen of the Virginia State Bar Association: This is the seventeenth annual meeting of the Virginia State Bar Association. As some of you well remember, in 1888 this organization was formed at Virginia Beach, not far from here. Since that time we have had but three secretaries of this Association, Hon. James C. Lamb, Jackson Guy and Eugene C. Massie. Mr. Massie having recently resigned that office, the Executive Committee has called upon Mr. John B. Minor to fill the position until a Secretary shall be elected. Mr. Minor will act as Secretary of this meeting.