New-York tribune., 1905-06-03
CALLS CONSTITUTION ILLEGAL.
Mrs. Bennington Gives Her Version of Row
at Actors Church Alliance.

THAT constitution Illegally adopted" said
Mrs w. Newton Bennington yesterday afternoon.
as she sat the piazza OF her home in Benson
hurst and told Tribune reporter her version OF
the trouble at the Actors Church Alliance conven-
ton Thursday
Mrs. Bennington, is known resigned then from
the office Of second vice-presdent. few minutes
after her reelection upon being informed that she
was to serve under the constitution which had
been adopted that afternoon, and which took away
her prerogatves instead Of under the old consti-
tuition.
"A two-thirds vote is necessary to pass any
amendment" she explained. ''and out of twenty
one people present not more than eleven voted In
favor Of adoption.
'The whole trouble" she said tiles in the fact
that the members don't know anything about
their constitution I don't believe there five
people in the alliance who can quote a sentence
from the bylaws. and they voted for the new con-
stitution and bylaws without hearing them read.
Last year. at the convention In Boston, COM
mittee was appointed, with C. T. Catlin, of Brook
lyn. as chairman to revise our bylaws. I looked
over this revision from time to time, and was
thoroughly conversant with the fact that it took
away from the second vce-president the executive
power. which was given to that officer two years
ago by an amendment to the bylaws. Under the
new constitution I did not propose to be second
vice-president. and when committee came to me
for you solidly. Now, what office do you want?
under the old bylaws L would be willing to keep
the position that then held.
tried to explain about the new constitution n @ o1,d ana
suspend the usual order Of business. and vote at
upon the adoption Of the constitution. They
naon of oers Bs6op n Poer was the
only one brought forward for president. AS soon
der Aunt Louisa Bidridge proposed my name, and
at once declined giving no reasen we era g under
the old laws d the m gs M o d any oce
iust the honor attached to 1T.
Then. after. F. F. Mackay was nominated Tor for
second vice president. and after the motion had had
been made that the secretary cast one vote Ior me me
for the office wanted his name @ placed op on
Of order. as his motion was before the house Then
put the question and it was voted that one vote
vofce-AIr. Bentleys-and his No rang out long
"Gt i o'clock left the meeting, going over to the
Hotel Navarro, where was staying, g,ia1t ana u re re-
eection Then m they told me that while
gone the new constitution had been adopted 1t
was after this and on this ground that rendered
I'm the nEns Of her his sos
told the convention that to attract men @ %. our our
sngs st Want Me to nusy say st It
the Savoy Theatre for public meeting Wednesz
O. day rRa Rgs mt that s sEGgP Ssh e
ete for the benefit 9f list the Of asnt o Which to
Select my artists for that affair Ali this has been
Mrs Bennington characterizes the rumpus as a
case Of ward politics." and lays the plane on on
walter Bentley. formerly organizing secretary OF
the society. r .,.
sejd and believe that 1t is through his influence
that Rabbi Silverman spoke as he did at the con
yention I have always admired DR.. Silver1nan
and he was my candidate for president even
went To him to ask him II he would serve In that
nsine ip the constitution Should be changed from
its form that the president shall be bishop OF
the church. and he said that ne "ouio thinh II
It is Mrs Bennington's purpose to retain her
membership In the New-Yors City chapter of the
Actors Church Alliance, although she will proba-
BLY, not take active part