The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1871-06-17
The Methodist Book Concern Invest.
igaliOn.

NEW YORK, June 49,
The Methodist Book Committee In So
cTet session, yesterday, discussed the pre-
llmlnarles OF Dr. Lnnahan's trial. Their
deliberations were US 10 the methods of
procedure, and the extent to which II
would be advisable to carry the inyeSti.
CATION. The views OF the members on
the subject were various, but II Is under
stood that propositions were made for an.
other investigation, to examine fully into
the questions relating to the business
agairS Ol the Concern five years past, and
examine any new allegations DR.. Lana
gan may choose 10 make II was
finally decided TO conduct the trial on the
charges brought against Lanahan by
Carlton, without further investigation
into the affairs OF the Concern, excepting
such us may come up in Lanahan's de-
tense. A resolution was adopted asking
LanahRn 10 bring ioIWard whatever new
proofs of acknowledgement he may have.
1t was also decided To admit reporters
1t Is expected that Bishops Ames and
Scott and Mr., Moore will be present at
the trial to-day. '.
The Committee of the Methodist Book
Concern, with Bishops James and Ames,
met to-day, to investigate the charges
preferred by DR.. Carlton, Agent of the
Methodist Book Concern, against the sub
Agent, DR.. Lanahan, Rev, S. NJ. Stiles,
was appointed official Stenographer. Mr.
Fanchcr then stated the case for prosecu-
tiOn, and recited the Court proceedings,
Lanahan for mandamus, which FanCher
declared were founded on such assump.
tions of authority, that It was deemed i'm
portant TO call the attention Of the Book
Concern to It. Referring to Lanahan's
affidavit and application for mandamus,
the counsel said there was something start
ling In the paper To any one who loves
the Church and Book Concern The
assistant agent appears In tho case as re.
latOr and Thomas Carlton by name and
the Book Concern are made respondents.
This action was devised by Lanahan and
his counsel without conference Of any
sort with the agent or any member Of tho
Book Concern, In such manner rs to shock
the conscience OF the Church and these
and further afiidavts were recently print.
ed and given to the public press. Rev
Buckley on the part Of Ianahan, said the
respondent had prepared IN answer to the
charges made against him, which he
Buckley would read the answer sub.
stantially as iollows
EIe conceived that In seeking access to
the books, he was acting entirely
within his rights ~ CorpOrator.
He WIS elected by the General Conference
with the same fOrnalities as were oh.
serbed in DR.. Cartons election. lie
stood on the same OOting as DR.. Carlton;
was his equal in right, and his efforts to
obtain access to the books were eXpedi-
ent and necessary. When In January
last efforts were making to bring Lis trial
to close, II was urged upon him as u
reason for COnsenting thereto that the suit
IL. J. GOolenough would be abandoned,
but he found very soon after that II was
pushed forward, Feeling the Importance
Of these facts, he again told DR.. Carlton
that he wished To examine the books tO
prepare for the suit. Dr. Carlton re.
fused, and persisted in his refusal, where.
upon lie requested his counsel to apply TO
the court for IN order authorizing him TO
examine the books Of the Concern. He
was dragged first into the court himself
and put on his defense, and not TIL
another means failed was the order of the
court asked for He referred to his former
communication 70 the committee, showing
that the bindery department had been dc.
frauded to the amount oil $4,000 In the
single item Of leather In space Of twenty
months The basis on which the profits
In binding are estimated arc fictitious. AS
to the printing department, he showed
that one man had n monopoly Of pur-
chasing paper for II. lie charged this
gentleman with realizing 30 per cent
profit on some Of his purchases The
books and accounts show that they are
kept In way that dlstroys their trust.
w0rthiness Notwithstanding large bal.
ances In favor Of the concern,
large sums were paid in interest
He had thought he was doing the church
o needed service in protecting the integrl-
ty Of It's most important charity; that he
was interpOsing In behalf Of worn out
preachers and their widows and orphans
when he protested against waste and
pluhder. He had tried to guard the funds
and for 80 doing he stood there az pre-
sunptive criminal. lie was wearied In
mind and wasted In body by the conflict.
lIe was not mad but spoke the words Of
truth. The facts which he had discover.
ed cannot be set inside by reason, Of his
or by his deposition. They
will still remain to testify against wrong
doing and wrong dOers. N.g
M avidnnrn UNA takpn tn,IaV