The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1870-02-14
The Methods, Book Concern Mystery.


The more we ponder over and compare the
majority and minority reports Of the Method.
list Book Committee, respecting the frauds
alleged to have been committed In the Book
Concern IN this city. the more mysterious
docs the affair become. Charges Of misman.
ngcmcnt and population against certain EN-.
ployeos Of the Concern have been pending
before tho public Tor some months past. They
have been once examined into by the Book
Committee, and declared to be in part well
founded. But on n second investigation the
majority OF the Same Committee have reported
that 1.-THE careful sitting of the evidence ro-
voaled not only the perfect innocence of the
accused, but showed that the management Of
the Concern had been most prhiscworthy"
This lie as complete en- ncquittal as any
man could desire; but unfortunately mi.
norty OF the Committee make report OF
very different character. and one which in
wolves the subject in maze OF contradic-
tons, difficult If moi rmposs bic TO unravel
For example, whilo the majority say that
the perfect innocence" Of the accused agents
las been established. the minority produce
documentary evidence TO tho efltct that both
GooDESouon and PORTER, the men who
were ntrustcd with the duty Of purchasing
paper for the Concern. ma le very consider.
able profit By charging the Concern n higher
price than they paid. In the binding de
partmcnt, 100000 worth of leather was pad
for, but not accounted for, In the short space
Of twcnty-one months, while $500 worth Of
glue shared the same fato within nine
months These statements are certainly in
consistent with tho perfect innocence OF the
uccused."
Again, the majority report that the testi-
mony not only falod 10 establish tho exist.
cnce Of fraud, defalcation, or corruption hut
likewise failed 10 sustnin tine allegation of
losses" The minority. on the other hand,
say that nothing has come before US during
our present session to relieve our convictions
Of losses AMI Encouragement in the Book
Concern" This assertion they back up by
the facts already mentioned. proving that
the Concern has been dcfrauiJd during
the past few years q: many thousands OF dol.
lars. VIII ch are certainly losses, and 10y the
further fact that the head of the bndery has
been allowed to appropriate as a perqus,te,
year after year, gold swcepings to the
amount of 1900 annually.
The majority add that the Concern liz
under such system Of checks and safe
guards as guarantee security" But if the
minority are TO he believed, there is no secu.
! rity whatever in the Concerns method Of
doing business II an agent can buy paper
at twenty seven cents pound and make the
Concern pay th,rty-iour cents pound for il.
and be held Innocent of all blame, the sccu.
rty agair ST fraud and loss is certainly an
| illusory one
The gentlemen who have made the MAORI
~ report doubtless latter themselves that
! whether it t.lls tn truth OF not it will
quiet the fears Of the great Lody Of Method.
lists iu tht country, and restore their conf
dcuco in the souulness of the Concern 1t
may be- too, that they hold It to I've their
duty 70 screen their offending brethren from
crnsurc, even at the expense Of the truth
But in either case they are Ercyously mis-.
taken. These are no days for covering up
and hiding crime. by whomsoeycr committed.
II tho investigation into the affairs Of the
incvi ably take tho view of the minority Of
tho Comm ttee so that considerations both
OF policy and justice demand that the in.
quiry be continued till a satisfactory conclu-
| alon 10 vol at