AFFAIRS OF THE ASSOCIATION.
From the Treasurer's report it will be seen that there was a considerable deficit for the year just ended. This was caused by the tardiness of members in paying their dues. There has lately been a revival of interest in the Association and an increase of its membership which promises to extinguish all indebtedness in a very short time; but in order to assure this result a plan is on foot to secure the consent of the members to an arrangement whereby they shall be drawn upon, so long as they retain their membership, for the amount of their dues at the proper time each year. The expense will be borne by the Association, and the method will be more convenient and satisfactory both to the members and to the Council. If you receive a circular asking your agreement, please answer favorably at once. This will help to make the work of the Association more useful and more permanent.
The members of the Association, and all who have an interest in Texas history, are to be congratulated upon the appointment of Judge C. W. Raines to the place of librarian in the department of Agriculture, Insurance, Statistics, and History. He is thoroughly fitted for the place and loves the work and will do it well.
The Council expects shortly to issue a circular to the people of Texas asking for an endowment for the Association. If as much as twenty-five hundred dollars can be obtained, it will absolutely secure the continuance of the work on its present basis. Upwards of three hundred dollars has been already subscribed, in sums ranging from twenty-five to one hundred dollars, payable when the entire amount is secured. The Council pledges itself to invest the money as securely as possible, and to use only the interest to pay current expenses. Send your subscriptions to the Treasurer, Lester G. Bugbee, Austin, Texas.
The third annual meeting of the Association was held in room 9 of the main building of the University of Texas, Austin, June 15, 1899, at 10 a.m. The president's annual address,—a critical examination of the French claim to Texas,—was delivered by Hon. Dudley G. Wooten, President of the Association. Mr. H. G. Askew followed with a paper on “Austin as a Place of Historical Interest.” “The Closing Hours of the Confederacy” by Hon. John H. Reagan and “The Batttle of San Jacinto” by Mrs. Mary Autry Greer were read by title.
Officers for the ensuing year were then elected. The following is the complete list, including those whose terms did not expire in June:
Hon. John H. Reagan, President.
Vice Presidents.
Hon. Guy M. Bryan. Ex-Gov. F. R. Lubbock.
Mrs. Julia Lee Sinks. Hon. T. S. Miller.
Prof. George P. Garrison, Recording Secretary and Librarian.
Executive Council.
[In addition to the officers named above.]
Judge C. W. Raines, 1902. Hon. Beauregard Bryan, 1903.
Prof. R. L. Batts, 1901. Mrs. Dora Fowler Arthur, 1902.
Judge Z. T. Fulmore, 1900. Mrs. Bride Neill Taylor, 1901.
Prof. W. J. Battle, 1904. Dr. Rufus C. Burleson, 1900.
[Dates indicate expiration of term.]
Lester G. Bugbee, Corresponding Secretary and Treasurer.
Publication Committee.
Hon. John H. Reagan.
Prof. George P. Garrison. Mrs. Bride Neill Taylor.
Judge Z. T. Fulmore. Judge C. W. Raines.
Many new members were elected; the following were added to the list of Fellows:
Judge Bethel Coopwood, Laredo. Rev. Edmond J. P. Schmitt, San Antonio.
Prof. John C. Townes, Austin.
Miss Lilia M. Casis, Austin. Mr. W. F. McCaleb, Carrizo Springs.
The Association is to be congratulated upon its flourishing condition at the end of its third year. There are now 486 members, not including those elected at the June meeting; the Association has been heartily endorsed by the Texas Veterans' Association, and by the Daughters of the Republic; The Quarterly has been well received by the historical publications of the United States; the library is steadily growing by gift and exchange; the nucleus of a collection of documents, newspapers, and historical relics has been gathered; the list of members has grown and is still growing very rapidly; altogether, the prospect is most hopeful for a great revival of interest in Texas history.
The following leading articles have been published in The Quarterly during the year just closed:
Life and Services of O. M. Roberts Dudley G. Wooten.
The Old Fort at Anahuac Mrs. Adele B. Looscan.
Sketch of the Development of the Judicial System of Texas, I, J. C. Townes.
H. P. Bee F. R. Lubbock.
The Cherokee Nation of Indians V. O. King.
Jottings from the Old Journal of Littleton Fowler, Mrs. Dora Fowler Arthur.
The Capitals of Texas O. M. Roberts.
Rutersville College Mrs. Julia Lee Sinks.
Sketch of the Development of the Judicial System of Texas, II, John C. Townes.
Enduring Laws of the Republic of Texas, II C. W. Raines.
Notes on the History of La Bahía del Espíritu Santo Bethel Coopwood.
Early Experiences in Texas Mrs. Rosa Kleberg.
The “Prison Journal” of Stephen F. Austin
Captain Adolphus Sterne W. P. Zuber.
The Founding of the First Texas Municipality I. J. Cox.
Life of German Pioneers in Early Texas Caroline von Hinueber.
Two Letters from a Mier Prisoner
Descubrimiento de la Bahía del Espíritu Santo Damian Manzanet.
Translation of Above Miss Lilia M. Casis.
The Battle of Gonzales Miles S. Bennet.
Article I.—Name.—This Society shall be called the Texas State Historical Association.
Art. II.—Objects.—The objects of the Association shall be, in general, the promotion of historical studies; and, in particular, the discovery, collection, preservation, and publication of historical material, especially such as relates to Texas.
Art. III.—Membership.—The Association shall consist of Members, Fellows, Life Members, and Honorary Life Members.
a.Members. Persons recommended by the Executive Council and elected by the Association may become Members.
b.Fellows. Members who show, by published work, special aptitude for historical investigation may become Fellows. Thirteen Fellows shall be elected by the Association when first organized, and the body thus created may thereafter elect additional Fellows on the nomination of the Executive Council. The number of Fellows shall never exceed Fifty.
c.Life Members. Such benefactors of the Association as shall pay into its treasury at one time the sum of fifty dollars ($50), or shall present to the Association an equivalent in books, MSS., or other acceptable matter, shall be classed as Life Members.
d.Honorary Life Members. Persons who rendered eminent service to Texas previous to annexation may become Honorary Life Members upon being recommended by the Executive Council and elected by the Association.
Art. IV.—Officers.—The affairs of the Association shall be administered by a President, four Vice-Presidents, a Recording Secretary and Librarian, a Corresponding Secretary and Treasurer and an Executive Council.
The President, Vice-Presidents, Recording Secretary and Librarian, and Corresponding Secretary and Treasurer shall be elected annually by the Association from among the Fellows.
The Executive Council, a majority of which shall constitute a quorum, shall consist of the following:
The President, four Vice-Presidents, Librarian of the Association, State Librarian, three Fellows, five Members.
The Association, immediately after organizing, shall elect three Fellows to serve on the Executive Council one, two, and three years, respectively, the term of each to be decided by lot. Thereafter, one Fellow shall be elected annually by the Association for the term of three years.
The Association, immediately after organizing, shall likewise elect five members to serve on the Executive Council one, two, three, four, and five years, respectively, the term of each to be decided by lot. Thereafter, one Member shall be elected annually by the Association for the term of five years.
Art. V.—Dues.—Each member shall pay annually into the treasury of the Association the sum of two dollars.
Each fellow shall pay annually into the treasury of the Association the sum of five dollars.
Life Members and Honorary Life Members shall be exempt from all dues.
Art. VI.—Publication Committee.—A publication committee, consisting of five persons, shall have the sole charge of the selection and editing of matter for publication. The President and Librarian of the Association shall be ex-officio members of this committee; the remaining three members shall be chosen annually by the Fellows from the Executive Council.
Art. VII.—Amendments.—Amendments to this Constitution shall become operative after being recommended by the Executive Council and approved by two-thirds of the entire membership of the Association, the vote being taken by letter ballot.
