New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-01-21

The Book Committee IN connection WIFI 'he
Board Bishops met in executive session yesterday
morning and resumed the discussion OF an adjournment
q, tho trial of DR. Lanahan A communication was re-
reyed from the prosecution asking for the continuance
of the investigation. protest was also entered by the
RESPONDENT against the close Of the proceedings. The
final vote the continuance Of the investigation was
as follows:
Alternatives VI. Vernon, James Pike, j. Rothwciller,
James Erwin, j. T. Kennedy.
Negative-J. IL. Moore. Henry Slicer, Geo. Woodruff,
ii. BanIister. I. s. Bingham b. +. Rawlins, g. W.
Matby, G. = NanClcve f. A. BLADDER, Cyrus Brocker-l0
The basis OF settlement upon which the charges against
Dr. Lanahan are withdrawn, and the investigation of
the alleged frauds in the Book Concern ended is sub
stantiay as follows:
The Committee reaffrm that in their Judgment the
Concern without foundation; that the business of
the establishment in all its departments is prudenyand
economically conducted and that the affairs Of the Book
Concern are sound financial basis In view, how
ever OF the allegations made ny tne Aststant b9ok
alton Of these by the joint tribunal, Special
lSdge Reynolds f. l. Faneher and three members Of
Book Committee to be named by the Chairman and
sGihezed to make thorough examination OF inc DooSs
and financial management of the Book Concern from the
G,.e o. It's 7uoon una te present se iG on
the joint recommendation OF Mr.. Fancher and Judge
matters Of law these members will act counsel Bishop
Scott Will preside at the meetings of the COMMISSIONS and
in addition TO his duties presiding officer Will have
appellate jurisdiction in deciding disputed questions OF
law The COMMISSION in conducting tue investigation
will toufuc themselves 10 the printing and bndg
departments in which irregularities are alleged 10 have
occurred hut viii endeavor to examine thoroughly the
economy of management and financial stability of the
entire publh hing busnts OF the BOOK concern. I.o
Commission IL not 10 put any one On trial but simply 10
institute searching INJURY 2 ae
The charge and speclheaIols atalhsi me I ' vi,
Book Agent withdrawn from the joint tribunal TO,
70 the General Conference for final adjudication with
the date of the withdrawal OF these charges the assist
to his official relations with the Book Concern All mat
Ter connected with the allegations against the BOOK Con-
that report be made at the next session OF the
Committee.
AT the close of the morning session. which mainly
occupied in making verbal alterations in the basis OF
settlement, the Rev. DR.. Carlton Agent of the Book
Concern addressed the Committee in explanation of his
own during the last year and in defense of the
business Management of the publishing house.
During the afternoon session the complainants, the
Rev. H. F. Pearce and the Rev. George Lansing Taylor,
and the respondent, DR.. Lanahan, were summoned be-
fore the Committee accompanied by their counsel Gen.
RunyOn and +. l.. Fancher for the prosecution, and
Judge Reynolds, the Rev. Mr.. Buckley and Others
for the defense. Notice OF the dsconnuance OF the
Investigation given by the President Dr. Brooks
and the basis Of settlement read by the
Secretary, Mr. Bingham. Mr.. Fancher In behalf Of the
eomplainants, withdrew the bill Of Indictment, and
Judge Reynolds in like manner withdrew the answer
with reservation retaining the charges Of fraud and r
regularity in the conduct OF the Book Concern. The lit
CATION was declared end by the Chairman and the
Committee adjourned with the singing OF the Doxoogy.
Prior 10 adjournment vote passed authorizing the
Secretary place copies of the basis OF settlement aud
other documents in the hands Of the reporters, but these
withheld the close Of the session. at the instance
OF Bishop James on the petext OF the necessity of verbal
alterations.
The ante room and corridor Of the Publishing House
were thronged until nightfan with members Of the
Methodist Church. clerical and lay and great interest
manifested in the final result. The announcement
the posponemen Of the trial seemed to give satssc
ton the friends OF Dr. Lanahan claiming that
great injustice done In not allowing the Assistant
Book Agent opportunity 10 vndcate his reputation,
and impartial members Of the Church declaring that
the interests Of the denomination demanded thorough
investigation OF the alleged irregularities ard frauds in
the Book Concern. "They can't cure cancer by bit OF
plaster" said Jealous friend OF Dr. Lanahan. "Yes"
said his neghbor they afraid to 60 for the pub
lie have got their eyes them now" Others
disposed defend the action OF the Committee and to
Justify expediency of posponng trial In which no
decision at TALL satisfactory to the Church could
lie reached The Concern is steady as the north
star" said of these conservative gentlemen;
then let the Agents each other until the next
That the investigation ended in the triumph
and vindcaton of the Assistant Book Agent, no one
seemed question, although liberal allowances were
for the peculiar difficulties which the Committee
had experienced in conducting the investigation In
necton with the Board Of Bishops, in the absence OF all
precedens and rules Of organization The impression
seems to lie that Dr. Lanahan will not remain silent in
the failure OF Committee to the investigation
will publish his defense in pamphlet form at an early
day.
The Court will in executive session for few
hours this morning, effect final adjustment of the
rase. which. however, may be regarded practically
closed. a.
HOW THE CONCERN HAS BEEN BUILT UP-THE
OTHER SIDE.
TO the Editor Of The tribune.
SIR: Your correspondent, signing himself
T. C. Goss and writing correct your assumed mistake,
~ 10 the method by which the Methodist Book Concern
has reached it, present prosperous condition pub
fishing house, needs himself to he corrected. am a
Methodist, as my father before Within the two
three preceding years have contributed 500 to the
Concern, and father years ago gave OF his means
tyen Deyoh1 us aty hnoN ~ 'i h h o fa
contributed by jealous Methodists Certainly, IL 1t is
management OF its affairs the supporters OF
the Methodist Book Concern will feel themselves ag
Ee,c York, Jan. 90 1871.
ANOTHER EXPLANATION.
70 the Editor Of The Tribune.
SIR: Your correspondent, the Rev. c. c.
os furnishes you this morning, official" statement
Of the affairs of the Methodist Episcopal Book Concern
The figures very interesting, especially TO the
preachers the NJ E. Church. showing them that they
have receiving for the last thirteen an
,rage the magnsnmous OF t3lO7 60 per annum, dis
tibued among the aged preachers widows and orphans
Row. Mr. Editor, aside from losses the profits of the
Book Concern have OF late years by the authority OF the
General Conference, been most shanefuLy perverted
10 It's present gigantic proportions ~ tne iapols anu
sacrifices OF the nerant preachers Their salaries were
t N sSe " teS became Old and disabled the profits Of
~ Concern sbould he divided among them The old
Discpline said =The profits arising from the Book Con-
tern sufficient capital 10 carry on the business
has been retained, shall be regularly applied
to the support OF the distressed travelling preachers
their families the widows and orphans OF preachers,
Do" The Bishops were supported by the people whom
theys