The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-04-12
METHODIST BOOK CON EaY YlTrERS AGAIN.

In the midst OF the sharp contention and criti-
cisms which the Methodist Book Concern AFFAIRS
have evoked. ana are stIl likely to call FORTH the
Church and the public may expect TO get an insight
into the true condition OF the Concern by and by.
The cards OF the opposing counsel 70 the contro
versy In regard to the Sub-Book Committees recent
sessions has brought out tho fact Just made public
that Rev. Dr. Carlton, the agent OF the Concern here
has, on his own responsibility. but with the know
egc and consent Of the committee, appointed three
experts TO examine the accounts and management
OF the Concern during his ofical connection with 10
since 1882. The three experts are Messrs. J. Van
Week, Charles Calender ana +. W. Gum. Mr.. Van
Week Is and has been for several years past the
chief bookkeeper OF the wen known business 1rm Of
Phelps, Dodge Co., one OF the larg sst importing
houses In America. He Is the one fret unanimously
chosen as chief accountant by the Subcommittee
ana Bishop Scott and approved in writing by
Bishop Scott and Mr.. Fancher. He is mem.
Der Of the First place Methodist church. Brooklyn
Mr.. Calender Is the United States Bank Examiner
for thus CITY; lie Is resident Of Newark and
member OF the Baptist church OF that city. He was
selected because or hts acknowledged ability and his
high Official position. Mr.. Gum Is q Presbyterian.
the last nfleen years has been employed by leading
business houses IN this city expert in making
81 nl'ar examinations TO those Ia which he is now
engaged
Probably no ADLER or more suitable experts could
be found IN the whole country. Their conclusions
VIII be accepted by the business public and by the
Christian community generally.
The letter OF Instructions from DR.. Carlton Is Is
follows:-
METHODIST BOOK CoScrnsl
NEW YORK, April I, 1871. !
Messrs VAN vLncK, oAlLrNpEn AND GuNs:-.
GENrLtMEN-As you have consented, Ia accordance with
on soo concerns as sna
Iwish the examination be thorou and complete,
sa s2a ss1sy
important and necessary to sasy yourselves OF the facts
wish you of all to examine the cash
ceiea ami whether al disbursements have been in the eg
s. also wish yon to examine the general accounts ana
books Of the house to asces9 whether any snsn or
OF the affairs Of the Book Concern
and arrangements Of the ascertain if in your
any @ Ss to secure the safe a
70 AFFORD possible facility for carving for
of the hereby placed al yo1r disposal and you
are M to make nSary o. the Ssen Of the I
sant bookkeeper an Of any aud all other persons in the
+. When you have comnetei your examination
sss ho%as
Subsequent to the appointment Of these experts
DR.. Lanahan requested the opportunity %. OF
response of DR.. Carlton, which was first given YER
bally TO DR.. Lanahan, cmbodying his reasons for
declining the request at mat time, Is presented IN
the following letter, which was subsequently handed
TO Dr.. Lanaian:-
METHODIST Book CONCERN NEW York, April 8, 1871.
DEAR BnoTnER-i ia deem it necessary reply in
writing to your note Of the evening Of the 9th inst
views Of its contents; but having seen commnlc ,ton in
nods saving had AIDE certain propositions to me In
ws Shss nSa m Mt M
three accountants TO make thorough and full examina-
method: the Book Concern and could no, now con-
s ns s . n aI yon letter oeen
available i would have been most ch.erfnlly accepted
m!tee the last time, SUPPOSE the committee
l ana o me s an
The Judge mneslasy LETT saying, Il viii make tie propo
a s.r % sSS late Ags s n o,s
s your Proposed
aue:ss lay before u. secoanan,. ,he your
Concern and other matters pertinent on the subject
desire to submit in person or through the experts by
TO you may seem most expedent and VIII request ne said
'h0ae experts may 'ne' " tue p'' TnoMas rt cAsEroN
Dr. Carlton has been severely and narshy orIti-
clsed because Of his appointment OF those experts
in regard to which IT IL only 10 say that
Dr. Lanalan had two experts engaged for long
time IN private examination or the books and &C.
counts OF the Concern. After these experts had
completed their examination 1t WAS whispered
around that discoveries damaging 10 the manage
ment or the Book Concern had been made during
the examination, and Methodists were cXhOrted by
glimpse OF these discoveries ITO pray for grace to
be able to bear the utter humiliation which the
revelations about TO be made would bring upon the
Church,
As neither DR.. Lanahan nor either OF his experts
had given 10 Dr. Carlton the remotest hint to the
alleged facts on which these rumors were founded.
he deemed no less act OF justice to the Church
than or proper sefprotectlon. 10 employ an ac-
cocntant OF nrst class reputation TO 60 carefully
the accounts to ascertain whether there Is any
foundation in fact for the more than rumors which
were rife In certain quarters. DR.. Carlton, there
fore DID employ such an accountant not Metno-
dist, but Presbyterian, aud he Is still engaged in
the examination. Thus we are approaching the
be ginning OF the end.