Smyrna times., 1871-01-25
The Methodist Book Concern Trouble.

Our readers are nearly all aware of the fact
that controversy and trial has been going on
in New York in relation to the Methodist
Book Concern, the great publishing house of
the denomination. The following is synop-
sis of the affair and result of the trial, which
we take from the n. Y. Tribune.
1t is about fifteen months since DR. Lanahan
published his charges against the management
of the Book Concern, alleging that there had
been heavy losses through fra I'd or gross mis-
conduct in the administration. The Book
Committee met to investigate these charges,
and found that they were in the main true; but
meanwhile violent hostility had been excited
against DIR. Lannhan, and in January, 1870,
the Committee was called together again to re
wise its former decision. The result OF these
supplementary proceedings Was a majority le
port whitewashing the Book Concern and de-
claring that there had been no losses at all,
aud minority report rciterating the previous
judgement. TO unprejudcial outsiders, it
seemed clear that DIR. Lanahans accusations
whether true or false, had at least so much ap-
parent foundation that for the credit of the
Church an exhaustive examination by the tr
bunI of last resort should have been ordered
without delay. But while the charges of fraud
and mlSmanagement were still practically un-
decided, the trials having resulted in what was
equivalent to the Scotch verdict Of = Not pro-
ven, the opponents of DIR. LaUahan prefer
red an Indictment against that gentleman, and
in October last he was suspended from his
Office of Assistant Book Agent until Joint tri-
bunal, composed Of the Book Committee and
a certain number of the Bishops should de-
eide upon his guilt or innocence The often.
ceS laid at his door were described as oficia
misconduct aud nlaIteasance, neglect of Othcia
duty, untruthtuinesS. irascibihty. slanderou,
disposition, INSTRUMENTATION, incfhciencv. &c.
but the specifications resolved nearly all these
into the one capital crime of impugning tht
honesty and efficiency Of the management o
the Concern. DIR. Lanahan, in his answer
said III effect, have asserted that frauds anC
cOrruptlOnS exist in the management of tn,
: Book Concern, and | stand by my words
The trial began on the 18th inst. A who'll
, week Was passed in taking testimony and de
' batting rules of practice before the excellen
, gentlemen composing the court realized tn
! position in which they had placed themselves
Nothing Was proved on a single charge.
Was evident that nothing could be proved. T
every accusation against the Assistant Agen
that he had made such and such slanderou
statements respecting the Book Concern, tn
! answer was the same: Z" admit the state
ments they are not Slanderous | am prepar
Ell to prove them. To 90 te trial on such al
: issue was as if the Court of Sessions shou
f suspend the trial of indictments until it ha
f first tried the District Attorney for slander il
drawing them up.
f The trial is abandoned The Assistan
/ Agent is restored to office. A special commis
sion is appointed to probe the affairs of tn
! book concern to the bottom, with the assistanc
OF experts, and the charges against Dr. Lana
han are referred to the General Conterenc
tor such action as that tribunal of last re>or
: may deem proper This is sens bic course -
; last. The Conference does not meet unit
1872, and there will thus be opportunity 10
learning whether DIR. Lanahan's charges ar
true before he is indicted for making them.