New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-06-03
FOR BROADER CHARITY.
THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE ACTORS FUND
ADDRESS AT THE MEETING YEsTERDAY-To
BUILD AN ORPHAN AsYLUM-THE KEN
DALs THE FIRST DONORS

| BUILD AN ORPHAN AsYLUM-THE KEN
DALs THE FIRST DONORS.
Another year has passed over the Actors Fund Oh
Amerlca. II has been year OF continued usefulness
in the broad field OF the charity and its end mas to
Fund ready or at least preparing TO undertake even
more work for the poor and the helpless than ever Dc
fore. At tho anniversary exercises held al Palmer
Theatre yesterday afternoon suggestion was mace
that the establishment of asylum for the orphans Oh
actors would be worthy object and before the meet
ing was over 81 300 subscribed for the purpose
The friends Of the stage and OF this valuable institution
connected with IL thus showed themselves redy at only
moments notice TO add substantial factor TO their
already large charitable efforts.
The annual business meeting OF the Fund was held
Yesterday morning at the Madison Square Theatre
Only members were admitted. The election Of officers
resulted as follows: President, Albert NJ. Palmer first
vice president Louis Aldrich: second vlce-presdent
Edwin Knowles treasurer Frank W. Sanger; secretary,
| Charles W. Thomas; Board Of Trustees, Albert NJ.
| Palmer Louis Adrich, Edwin Knowles Frank W.
Sanger Charles W. Thomas Joseph F. Wheeock joseph
| W. shannon F. F. Mackay, De Wolf Hopper, Daniel
| Frohman Edwin II. Price, Antonio Pastor NJ. W.
HanIey A. /. Hayman, Augustus Pitou, II. S. Taylor,
Rudolph Aronson. The reports Of the secretary and
the treasurer were presented and the most important
points presented in arc included in the address of
| the president given below.
The tenth anniversary of the Fund celebrated at
present Among those the stage were A NJ. Palmer,
| Governor David b. Hl General Daniel z. schlcs,
N,rat Hastead Martin W. Hanley, exJudge A. j.
Dittenhoefer william Winter, Louis Aldrich, Charles
W. Thomas, F. F. Mackay Edward Price, Lester w.
Quincy, and Joseph J. Levy
THE WORK OF THE FUND DESCRIBED.
AMER an overture by Tie orchestra A. NJ. Palmer
made his opening address president. He spoke In
substance follows:
How rapidly pass the years. To me- at least it seems
but few that gathered here TO celebrate
our ninth anniversary. 1 happy be able TO say TO
you that year just closed although in respects
not successful one have known, is still
cepon the rule Of general prosperity which has marked
the Funds progress during all It's history In the nine
years covered by the operations of the Fund we have ex
yended relief burias medicines and hospital charges
the Of 1854 AZ. During the same period there
has been paid into our treasury s23s149 H. The num-
Der Of people to whom In these nine years we have
afforded relief 257 We have given decent and proper
burial during 900 poor actors and actresses
The secretarys report the year shows that the num-
Der persons whom relief has been extended Is dS9-
nearly 40 cent over the number reported
last year. The number Of burals paid for by the FUND
this year extraordinarily large-beng In all aXty-sx
During the last year physicians in the metropolis have
made Lap visits to the sick people in our charge.
The treasures report shows that the receipts OF the
year have been s3l 456 Az Our expenditures amount to
$40 So Our entire assets, including cash In bank,
invested funds and real dots in Eyergreens),
computed by the to be 5oS1 ST. Never since
the organization Of the society demand for assist
been anything like great during the last year
desire briefly TO call your attention 70 an idea which
forced upon during the last few days and
one which l would be glad to have our association
seriously consider and perhaps soon carry into practical
effect 1t is, in word, the establishment OF home for
the orphans OF actors and actresses
A recent distressing has come 10 my notice
Of poor father and mother, both worthy members Of
profession who after long illness died in such utter
poverty all their last had to be borne by
Fund nd who IN hp
and utterly friendess. These children are knocking
at the OF orphan asyums ome OF which have doubt
less received benefits at your hands, and sorry to
say all doors open easily to them. Their case has
got into public print however and prominent persons
in profession having taken the matter up, doubtless
they will be provided for But 1t has occurred TO me
that be such which never get into
the public prints and which do not elicit the interest OF
the rich and powerful, and resolved that would at
least you the idea which this though. had
bred in my mind Please do not think am advocating
the establishment Of expensive, preentous home.
only thinking OF one OF modest and comparatively In
expensive environments Once started in this way. IL
could fail be the object Of interest TO the
charaby inclined OF profession and II there
in the dramatic profession who in response
appeal from the weak and helpless is ever I'M
charitable. l have yet to know her.
Fellow Members Since last met kindly spirit
long identified with the daily Of Fund has
passed away. Uncle Ben Baker. Familiarity knew
him. found harbor his old age in service where
his personal acquaintance derived from HIS fifty
Of experience upon the emnently qualified him %
speak with discrimination and to act with indulgence
1 have always felt that TO him. more than any other
man, the Fund Us present position.
shall not speak 20 at length Of the other two
friends Lawrence Barrett and General w. T. Sherman
whom death has snotched from during the last
But cannot refrain from SAYING Of Lawrence Barrett that
In his death the Fund lost friend whose interest In It's
affairs and and profession lost
leader whose high aims manness dignity and devotion
to principle were ever potent factors for good and will SO
remain as long his generation lasts.
One year ago to-day he stood before in this place
and advocated with eloquent words shall not for
get noble cause in which we are engaged. Then
years life seemed to hold out 10 him their promise Of
higher achievements and Of greater usefulness. To-day
he Is ONLY a memory. Blu: what a memory How pure,
how exalted how noble Long 1t remain TO cheer
on those who fight for higher and better things in the
public achievements and in the private lives Of the actors
and actresses under its inspiration may The banner
which he held aloft so faithfully and so wei be borne
along to complete and lasting victory.
WHAT THE GovERNoI HAD TO SAY.
After Mr.. Pamers address Miss Lillian Russell
sang Sad Regrets and Governor Hi was then
introduced. lie spoke in part as follows:
When l accepted invitation TO be present on this
occasion expressly understood that should
not be expected make any formal address, and was
surprised took up the programme to ma that an IN
dyidual who bears my was announced 70 speak
supposed this accounted for by the disposition OF
managers to advertise little than they propose to
present can truthfuly that the exhibit OF good
work tina: has been made is interesting than
a Governors and a Presidents message confined do
propose nhct any elaborate remarks on the
subject Of your political rights and duties. do not think
that any particular difference whether in your
busy lives you opportunity always 10 exercise
the elective franchise confess To liking for tbs
eatre From carly boyho0d used TO like TO steal away
and attend the Saturday afternoon matinee when got
chance have taken interest in the success Of
your great profession and am here freely 70 acknowledge
IT, Sometimes public criticised by the newspaper
press am one OF few that have escaped all criticism
heard time from correspondent who wanted
to write up my and public services. gay my
permission felt that could not help myself
The most OF he all right but he said that
any liking for the theatre, and that's about the
worst thing ever said OF / believe it s.
policy Of the State theatres and