The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1869-09-24


For several months rumor has been
alloat among tho Methodists of this city that
searching investigation Of the affairs Of
their great UNCONVENTIONAL Book Concern by
the new agent, the Rev. DIR. Lanahan, had
led 10 the painful discovery that the Con-
Germ, by the mismanagemcnt Of several
subordlnates, has for years been losing large
sums Of money. The rumor has at length
found Its way into the press, and OF course
Is producing excitement In Church circles;
for the Methodist Book Concern Is the
largest publishing house Of this class OF de-
nominational concerns In the world, Its
sales in 1867, according TO the official jour
nal OF the general conference Of 1868,
amounting 10 the sum Of 1904, 900; 1t repre-.
sents the largest among the Protestant
American Churches, and It's agents, as well
as the members Of the book committee, arc
quadrennially chosen by tho general con-
ference from among the most prominent men
Of the Church.
We understand that tho Investigation of
the case Is not yet concluded; that Il may
yet take some months 10 fully establish all
the facts; and that what thus far has been
ascertained Is about as follows The Rev.
DR.. Lanahan, who In 1868 was elected by
the General Conference book agent, discoy.
cred some time after his appointment that
the material OF the printing and binding de-
partments OF the Concern was not purchased
directly from houses selling this material,
but indirectly through other parties, who for
their services received a commission amount
Ing, 1t Is supposed, to from $40, 900 to eco, 900
year; and that this way OF conducting the
business has been going on for period Of at
least six and perhaps Of ten or moro years,
causing TO the Concern loss OF about $780,
600. The heads OF the two departments
mentioned have consequently been dismissed.
Neither Of them is charged with having de-
rived any personal profit from these transac-
lions; but tho persons from whom the ma
terial was purchased state that they were re-
quested to sell only through the third par
ties who have obtained the heavy commits
slons.
Tho sensation In the Methodist community
Is, Of course, intense. The principal ques-
lions now naturally asked arc Did any
employees OF the Book Concern have share
In the commissions allowed 10 the third
particsi Was this way Of purchasing ma
terials unknown 10 the former book agents,
and why did II remain unknown for so many
years TO them and 10 the book committee
who meet once year to submit the affairs
OF the Book Concern to an official revlsionl
And in wide circles Of the Church this other
question, often discussed by the denomina-
tiOuhl press, HOW IOrCcs tbCl1 upon
the consideration OF business men. Should
not the Book Concern be conducted In a
more busincss-likc manneri The agents
and the members Of the book committee are
In every instance eminent thcologians; but
they rarely have among them single men,
Der who has received regular training In the
publishing business. The larger the Book
Concern becomes, the more, Of course, Is its
need Of the best attainable business talent.
1t Is now one Of the great publishing houses
Of the world, and 1t Is certain TO grow with
tho Church.
Has not the time como when the Church,
In order to maintain for Its Book Concern
that general confidence so essential to its
continued success, should secure for its
management the best business talent which
1t can find In the Church-be 1t among the
clergy or among the laltyi Can there be
the least doubt, that If the board OF super
visors had among It's members such men as
the Harpers, Orange Judd, Lemuel Bangs,
George 9. Rand, and other wcll.known lay
men of the Church, II would be better fitted
to prevent any kind Of fraud than If all its
members were theologians as eminent as st.
Augustinei This question one may now
often hear discussed among the Intelligent
classes Of Methodlsts. The further develop
ment Of the case may have considerable
influence upon the future management Of
this, and perhaps OF all UNCONVENTIONAL
book concerns.-N. Y. Tribune, ed.