The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-04-12

had administered lesson to our contemporary
on that occasion that would have cffectnlly.
prevented his attempting again to impugn the
accuracy OF our information 1t appears, how
ever, that the French government organs here
have too strong an interest in msrepresenting
and perverting the facts at present transpring
in the quarter referred to, to render it
scrupulous about the truth Of what it pub
lish. The recent occurrences at st. Domingo.
and Port au Prince show pretty clearly that
France has Interior objects in view with regard
to the island, which it requires but favorable
opportunity to develope.
The AMERICAN DRAMATIC FUND ASSOCIATION
It's ORIGIN AND OBJECrs.-The american ORA
matte Fund Association" celebrated its sixth
anniversary by public dinner at the Astor
House, in this city, on Monday. In reading
the published reports Of the festival it has been.
matter Of surprise to many that the actors
did not join in this demonstration None Of the
managers were present, and but one or two pro-
minent actors safe at the banquet. Some ac
tors who would have attended were no doubt.
prevented by business or previous engage.
ments; others do not believe in the efficacy of
these dinners, where glorifcation and jolliica--
ton form the staples of entertainment; but.
with all this, it cannot be denied that there ia
in the profession certain serious differences Of
opinion as to the Fund and the managers
thereof.
1t appears that about six years since several
gentlemen connected with the drama conceived
nj horn
on the principle Of the General Dramatic
Fund" Of England, and they with others were
Incorporated "by the name of the American
Dramatic Fund Association, for the purpose of
raising by subscription donations and requests.
from members thereof, and others, by thea
trical benefits and annual festivals, o fund to
be devoted to making provision for the support
OF members thereof, who, by age, sickness
or accident, are incapacitated from pursuing
their professional calling, and for the support
OF the widows and orphans of members thereof.
and for the purpose Of defraying the funeral
expenses of members thereof, and for such other
similar purposes as the said corporation shall
deem meet and expedient.n
The Assembly made provision to this act.
that before it should 60 into effect fund of
twenty thousand dollars should be raised. At
the festival Of 1858, it was announced that
S1s,700 had been collected, and the remainder,
OF the sum was Immediately contributed. The
association now numbers about two hundred
members, its capital is about $4,000, and it's
income about $4,000. In case of illness. any
member, after having paid three years dues, is
A.
of sixty years, if male, and fifty years, if fe-
male, he or she is entitled to an annuity Of five
hundred dollars per annum
This is fair statement of the general fea-
lures of the association although there is much
detail about it which is altogether superfuous.
The next question is, why does it not receive
the money and sympathy of all the members of
the profession? There are one hundred mana
gers in the United States, and nearly four thou
sand persons, male and female, who are entitled
to membership. OF all the managers, we see
that but one is q member-Mr Burton--and we
learn that he has withdrawn from the associa-
ton; and of the four thousand persons eligible
to membership, there are only two hundred
who see fit to avail themselves of the privilege.
~
filled by q gentleman not connected with
the stage in any way. Not one mana
ger is present. The eminent actors are
unheard of, and but two actors are present at
ALL excepting the ladies and gentlemen who
are engaged for the music. The natural con-
cluson of the public is that the actors have
really but very little to do with this Dramatic
Fund, however paradoxical the assertion may
seem. In the profession the complaints against
it are various, and personal feeling, no Doubt
at the bottom of many of them. Mr.. Forrest has
been rendered the presidency of the association.
and he positively refuses it, because he says it is
controlled by foreigners. Mr.. Burton, who is a
thorough scholar, capital actor, good bust
ness man, and master of his profession, does.
not approve of the manner in which the fund
is managed. Mr.. Wallack pays his yearly sub
scription and that is all. We have no infor--
nation as to the opinion of the other managers.
They certainly do nothing for the fund Inc
young actors say that they do not desire 70 pay
their money into the fund; first, because IL IL
controlled by clique; second, because they do
not think it right that they should pay forty or
Gftv wears, dues, and that others should come
in and enjoy their money by joining At the age
Of forty five or fifty; and third, because they
have no voice in the government of the associa-
ton unless they are residents of New York. The
election Of officers is held in Nay, when most
of the theatres are open and the actors
in other places cannot be present to vote. We
notice in the pamphlet of the association that
nearly the same persons have ohiciated as the
ruling powers of the association since the pc
- -e L. :..ae--a.a4:or, II 10 nIlnncd NV tho