The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-03-25
THE DRAMATIC FUND.
Mr.. John Brougham's Appeal.

/ To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD:-
| 1t was Lord Chancellor Eidon, believe,
who said that "nfants and actors should always
have guardian" And. with the latter class, 1t
would appear that some such provident guide
were absolutely necessary; for, proverbially ready
and willing as they are to aid IN the furtherance
of any benevolent object let it emanate from what
source may, they are strangely apathetc with re-
gard to matters affecting their own interest.
Whether 1t be owing 10 that same infantine char.
acterisc or nOt most certain 1t Is that In expert
mentaizing upon any scheme tor lettering the
condition OF the necessitOus among them, they
either suffer enthusiasm to run away with pru-
dence or quietly ignore the subject altogether as
being too practical and suDunary to engage the at
tention 0fpeope who habitually dwell in cloud land
Here is q case in point:--More than quarter OF
O century ago q few wel.ntentioned members of
the theatrical procession chartered an American
dramatic fund, and matter of course framed
its provisions upon so absurdly liberal scale, not
only giving annutles to the aged and disabled,
but also q weekly allowance to the SICK that any
ordinary individual could at once perceive that
their limited amount OF capital was entirely in
adequate to Withstand the pressure which would
result from the increase Of applicants; and so it
turned out. For many years, tine recipients being
few, received their promised amounts, to the rapid
depletion OF the treasury. But as time progressed
the establishment Of pro rata scale, diminishing
year after year, as ex1gencies multiplied was
compulsory. These unavoidable reductions as
may be imagined, entailed great amount OF pr-
walton, silently and nobly suffered. But now
crisis has arisen, when professional pride must be
forgotten and the hard, unpalatabe truth be told.
AT the present time, when through the exer-
tons OF managers and their companies tens Of
thousands Of dollars are being collected for pro-
miscuous charities, the resources OF the dramatic
fund have been 80 reduced by the number of claim
ants that, to sixty people. the majority OF whom
have no other means Of support its directors can
only afford an allowance averaging 81 20 a week to
each.
The writer has no thought OF attributIng blame
to the officers Of the institution; on the contrary
he Is well aware of and cordially acknowledges
the many efforts they have made to ameorate
the condition OF those who most needed assistance.
The fault was with the original promoters, or
rather in the impulsive but unbusincsslkc
idiOsyncracy which would TO be
tnseparable from the professors OF the
who, honestly DESTROYS OF building up a grand aud
enduring benevolent edince, and being fneXpe-
rienced financial architects, somehow forget the
necessity OF digging foundation. but now 10
Instincts OF humanity would urge tue quick relief
OF those who are in immediate need; and, secondly,
inasmuch as the fund has capital OF 100000, 1t Is
well worth conserving, which can Only be done by
its reorganization and an infusion Of common
sense as well as some slight consideration Tor
selfinterest In the happy-go-lucky disposition Of
Trusting that these suggestions. inspired as they
are by the HERALD's most praise worthy ana erfec-
tua stimulants to benev0lence, may not be deemed
inopportune. am. &C., JOHN BR0uGHAM.