General William Preston, of Lexington, has been elected Vice-President of our Society for Kentucky, to fill a vacancy caused by the resignation of General S. B. Buckner, who wrote that while feeling the deepest interest in the Society and its work, his frequent absence from home precluded him from giving us the active co-operation desirable.
He warmly advised the election of General Preston, whom he regarded as every way fitted for the position. To his gallant and distinguished services as a soldier, General Preston adds high character, wide influence and that chaste oratory which seems to be the natural inheritance of the Prestons, and we doubt not that we have committed the interests of the Society in Kentucky into most worthy hands.
The Kentucky Branch of the Southern Historical Society was organized at Lexington, on the 9th of December, by the election of the following officers:
Acting President—General William Preston.
Vice-Presidents—James O. Harrison, J. Stoddard Johnston, General John S. Williams, General Basil W. Duke and General Joseph Lewis.
Secretary—James A. Headly.
Treasurer—Major R. S. Bullock.
Executive Committee—Prof. J. D. Pickett, Colonel W. C. P. Breckinridge, Major H. B. McClellan, J. R. Morton, Esq.; Major John R. Viley, J. Soule Smith, Esq.; F. K. Hunt, Esq.; Major P. P. Johnston, Major B. G. Thomas, J. P. Metcalf, Esq.; G. W. Ranck, Esq.; Colonel C. C. Morgan, Lee Bradley, Esq., and James A. Grinstead, Esq.
The following plan of organization was adopted:
This Society shall be known as the Kentucky branch of the Southern Historical Society and its object is to collect for the archives of the Parent Society such historical material relating to the Confederate war as can be secured in the State of Kentucky.
It shall be located at Lexington, Kentucky, and shall hold meetings at least once each year.
Membership in the Parent Society shall entitle persons to membership in this Society.
The officers shall consist of one acting president, five vice-presidents, a secretary, a treasurer, and an executive committee, who shall hold their offices for one year or until their successors are elected.
The executive committee shall consist of fifteen members, with power to increase its members, and five of its members shall constitute a quorum.
The officers of this Society shall ex-officio be members of the executive committee.
The executive committee is charged with the general direction and management of the interests and work of this Society; has authority to adopt rules for its own government (not inconsistent with this plan), and shall at the annual meeting submit a report of its proceedings to this Society.
The acting president, and in his absence the executive committee, shall have the authority to call meetings of this society whenever it is thought best.
