New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-09-24
men daily engaged on the building Yesterday 'n0 mum
Der was 12
THE METHODIST BOOK CONCERN

RETURN OF DR. PORTER-A NEW sI .f.I, mINi W
THE AFFAIRS OF THE INSTITUTION.
Yesterday afternoon the Rev. DR.. Porter, re-
oantv AN Assistant Agent Of the Methodist BOOK ooh
Germ returned 10 this city, after an aDsehcc Vi
DAVIS in Orange County whittier he had gone on business
He SAWS he was entirely ignorant OF the serious cnaRe
urlished against him until Wednesday evening" when
on his arrival at Mddletown N " some friends called
his attention to the startling newspaper reports Inc
astonishmept grief and pain that overcame him upon
rece,vine that information can better be imagined than
descrbed Not only was he overwhelmed by consdera
ton Of his own personal position but also by the
appreciation OF the deep anxiety and SHOCK Oh SURPRISE
into which the entire Methodist Church has tnus peen
suddenly plunged. After fulfilling his business engage
ments he seized the first opportunity OF returning 10 n
city TO learn more fully the extent of the charges against
him. the personay Of his accusers, and to institute
measuref for the immediate vndicaton Of the good name
and the beloved church to which he has devoted
the best years Of his fe and the unsued honor WIN
which hs own career has hitherto been distinguished
He THINKS II exceedingly questionable whether there mas
been any loss whatever TO the Book Concern by auu'
acknowledgement, or any other cause, THIS douDt, ITO
thinks ould be strengthened by the fact that during
the nine wears of the alleged msmanagement OF ushoh
esty the profits have been unprecedenty large ana con-
stantly Increasing. The Rev. DR.. Lanahan, 10 whom INC
reports the alleged dishonest affair have Deen traceu'
being new agent and unaccustomed to such lnyestBa
tOpa, have been led INTO inlstahts
matter Resides II the statements as puDnsned hre
the Methodist public and others may ask why ~ 10
the paraes accused shOuld not be treated IKE cllihnas
of tie same alleged character-arTesed, ana not suelu
to run al large, but held to an account Ior Ihe
| meanoBl bta
DR. Porter did not buy the paper did he employ MS
sou 10 purchase il, commission or OtherWise y.
ouent and prOtracted absences OF agents would seem "
forbid ic attending to this department. OF tue
Mr. GOodenOugh had been authorized 10 pufGhase tno
stock for the printing department. before Dr. IoLeS
tered the concern and remained In that ONCE uhtn o
Doctor gned few weeks since, always ENJOYING lle
| unresefvod aud uninterrupted confidence , OF
| the Joint agents MessrA Carlton ~ ror-
ter It 10 even doubtful in bis juGSment w ,
any exam)natlon Instituted by DIR. Lananan VIZ i d
cate M Gcodenough In the slightest derellcton .. IL
Mr. Goodenough comedies that lie did buy paper OF
Porer SON. but never when lie could have obtained te
same article at the time he needed II OF any other party
Mt more advantageous price. Mr. Hoffman, VINO lsaiso
Implicated was foreman in the blndery during the euIs
term OF Dr. Porters EEyy and e.,Ced the pudsturped
conhdce OF the agents, although they eXerclse9 tne
ordinary business care OF men IN thelr position
Within three four years since the ehure
system OF the business OF that immense concern
including the method OF bookkeeping was snDmite1 VI
the searching criticism Of one OF the most accompisneu
accountants that could be found In this city VINO scin
tinted every book and reported the system as IN lS
Judgment equal any other for accuracy ana preseh
ton of error IL view Of these facts, and others dha
shall be detailed hereafter IL s well to susnehd MA
judgment until such time as responsible parties shal
| make definite aud regular accusations.