The New York herald., 1871-06-28
THE ST. AlBAa'S CHURCH CONTROVERSY.
A Church Fair in Which n Fair Contributor
Claims 10 Have Been Treated Unfairly.
A NEW WAY TO PAY OLD DEBTS.

A case OF considerable interest to a large portion
OF our readers more especially of the fairer and
more sympathetic portion OF them-the poiuts OF
which We published some weeks ago-came up be-
fore Judge Joseph F. DAILY in the Court OF Common
Pleas yesterday. IL twas suit instituted by
MRS. ELIZA L. CONSTANT AGAINST THE RECTOR,
wARDESs AND vEsTRy OF ST. ALBAN's CHURCH
for the recovery OF $4,000, which she (plaintid)
claims TO have furnished the defendants to make
preparations for 4 fais-to procure goods, &C. The
proceeds o TINS fair were Intended 10 be devoted to
the purchase OF lot and subsequently building a
place of worship Mrs. Constant was, 1t would
seem from her counsel's staIement, waited upon by
dr. Aburtis, warden OF st. Adams, and he told
her OF the intended fair ana expressed wish that
she would take an active part in managing 1t, ana
promised that for any sum she might expend on the
project in carrying 1t out 10 a successful issue she
would be recompensed
ouT OF THE PROCEEDS.
The lady accepted The proffered task and the fair
was beeun goods for which were ordered by her
nom various stores, where she mad been previously
herself customer, amounting 10 the sum for which
the suit has been brought Just as the fair was
about 10 open news reached here OF
PRESIDENT LINCoLN's DEATH.
The sad intelligence completely paralyzed the
project, and It was supposed. all the more so be-
cause the then rector OF st. Adams repured to
entertain opinions utterly foreign to the feelings OF
most Americans As a result the fair was tempo
rary suspended. At Its subsequent carrying on, in.
stead Of realizing some $4,000 or $4,000, there
were but $4,000 received by the management At
this second fair, instead of having full management
of Ii, originally designed. Mrs. Constant found
that the veslrynen had appointed Mrs. Alburtis,
which action of put the control OF the funds
In the latter ady's hands. These FUNDS were passed
ner OF Fulton and Water streets Bills for
the goods procured by Mrs. Constant were
sent to her Immediately after the close
of the fair and payment Of them demanded. She
sent then after examining them and finding them
correct, on to Alburus & Constant, the treasurers
OF the lair funds. Mrs. Constant, 1t appears, kept
her own
PRIVATE BANKING ACCOUNT
with the same firm, and 1t would seem that the bills
sent ana approved 10y Mrs. Constant were paid out
OF her own account instead Of from the funds Of the
far The knowledge OF this only became known to
trip TO Europe she called the bankers for ar
rangement OF her account. FINDING how her money
pealed to the wardens or the church to refund her
the money. They, she says, informed her somewhat
cooy that they had gratefully accepted the $4,000
drawn from the bank her contribution to the Iar
Mrs. Constant states that not only did she strenu.
ousy exert herself TO promote the OBJECT OF the fair
but that Induced vely many OF her lady friends
to 90 likewise, and at the close OF their eXeruons
she gave them
at the cost to her Of $500. This she paid herself
and as she had furnished q large number OF small
articles for the fair she thought her contribution
was, on the whole, considerable.
the testimony was chiefly occupied in investl-
eating the real amount Of the bills for goods fur
nished TO the fair by the parties from whom Mrs.
Constant mad ordered.
Defendants. through their COUNSEL contended that
though Mrs. Constant might nave had an under
standing such as she stated with OF the vestry
members yet that 1t was not of such character or
IN such shape or form rs the law required to make
1t binding.
The court room during the proceedings yesterday
was crowded, and a great deal Of interest mani
tested. The further nearing or the case will be
sumed this morning.