The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1868-10-14
FOR THE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.

ReU s. A. Stanfeld,
Dear Brother,-ln response to your favor,
of which DR.. Brown has been kind enough to
send me "a proof copy, desire to say:
l. think you are mistaken when you say
our rule is unusual. 1t would be improper
for me to publish the arrangements which
publishers make with us, because it would
make public the private business Of those par
ties. But ! can say, without improperly,
that understand their rule to mean the same
as ours And the reason | inserted the words
to which you object, is because [ had heard
complaint made OF ministers for obtaining this
discount for objects not designed by publish
ers in making it. All discounts are made for
the interest Of the publisher. 1t is made to
ministers as an advertisement. Books pur-
chased by them are more likely to become
known, and hence to be purchased by Others
Complaint was made to me, by different par
ties, that ministers had obtained the customa.
ry discount on purchases professedly made for
themselves, but really for the benefit of other
parties. | knew no minister would use this
privilege in a manner inconsistent with the
design of it, if he knew it; and hence, as we
are not allowed to sell books which we pur.
chase from other houses, at less price than
they do themselves, we inserted the words you
object to simply as explanatory.
2. cannot publish any of the regulations
of other publishing houses which | may have
become acquainted with, except such as they
themselves have made public The Presbyte.
rian Board, and think also the American
Sunday School Union, formerly offered dis
count on all purchases of $l2 and upwards
Il think $l2 was the minimum sum, but have
no old catalogue at hand to refer to-, the dis
count varying with the increase of the BILL
Since the war, | find they have ceased this
offer, and that the custom has been wholly
abolished. | have no doubt it was under this
regulation the Board formerly allowed you the
facilities of which you speak. | suspect you
would find it somewhat different now.
3. The appointment of regular colporteurs
can only be made by the Committee, on the
recommendation of the respective Presbyte-
ries, or Presbyterial Committees. But what
you desire is to have an arrangement made by
which ministers can act as voluntary colpor-
tours, in their own charges. | am not author.
lied to speak pos lively on the subject, with
out first submitting the matter to the Com.
mittee; but know OF no action ofthe Assem-
bly,, nor regulation of the Committee which
would interfere with our making such an ar.
rangement with you or any one else, on regular
application.
4. You are mistaken as to our proposing
the establishment of Presbyterial Repositories.
Neither the Committee nor myself, have ever
made any such proposition. That idea is
contained in the resolutions of the Assembly.
But my firm conviction is, it would prove a
waste of funds, and utterly fail TO accomplish
the objects designed What the annual Re,
port urged was more efficient system of col
portage, under the care Of the Presbyteries.
But, my dear brother, it matters but little
what plan is adopted, provided it be efficiently
carried out by our brethren of the Presbyte-