New-York tribune., 1871-01-14
METHODIST BOOK CONCERN


| VANCHER.
| The Book Committee Of the Methodist BOOK
Concern resumed their investigation OF the charges
against the Rev DR. Lanahan yesterday morning. In the
mission-roOm Of the Publishing House strong pres
sure in favor publicity had been brought TO pear upon
the members OF the Committee, and, after an executive
session Of one hour opened to accredited
represeDatves of the press This Occasioned
general satisfaction among the members OF the den0m
nation and a kinder and more generous spirit hspreo
! the deliberations OF the Committee.
On reassembing the Rev G. 6. Vancleve conductedthe
devotional exercises all Of the members OF the Court
being in attendance except j. II. Moore of the Illinois
Conference The Rev. s. Bingham offered the fouO"
ing preamble and resolution:
Ueroas The deep interest which the Church at arg ee N we
action OF this Committee desirable that the proceeding Of %
Information Of ali parties cor ccrucd shi
pieeas has become evident the Committee that D Ln,so
his uD. have fqh report Of the testimony and oi ne
action Of the Committee gwen to me pa4ei @o ~ ~ N, doors "a
the public without determination or without unns some persons "
ReorTf That responsible and accredited reporters for The leading
daily paters OF this c whom admnoe may be asked BY the
pSers TsIcc7ey " ;he proceedings Of this session Of
After extended debate the resolution adopted by
the following vote: Yeas-J. Pike, q. W. Woodrun,
Henry slicer, s. Bingham g. W. Maltby, H. Bannister'
Cyrus Brooks, L. NJ. VernOn-s NaysC. s. Van Cleye,
James Erwin j. F. Kennedy, b. f. Rawlins, F. A. Blades
j. Rothweler-G.
The President the Rev DR.. Brooks, opened the legal
proceeding by counseing the members to proceed with
the investigation in spirit of prayer, weighing care
fully Impressive nature Of the charges against the
defendant The following order Of procedure, adopted
for the guidance OF the Court, then read by the
Secretary;
rs That gentlemen making agsnt the Rev. Dr. Lanaha3
qu ted psn, Hs,mony following the order o the papers and
S That an ptr.on esing may call to bis assistance
minister or ayman 70 corrobora,e MS evidence.
Thd That the Rev Dr. Lanahan be aloWet reply to such
fcra That the Rev Dr. Lauahan allowed the privilege Of
'gs upon n. ald h a. g'sp' 70 b 59 he cross,
xsue and also that but witness oe allowed 10 the room at
Upon the reading of the order the Rev. H. F. Pease and
the Rev. George L. TAYLOR, in behalf Of the Committee OF
Prosecution and the Rev. Dr. Lanahan, the defendant,
appeared before the Court accompanied by counsel con-
ssting Of T. L. Fancher and Gen Theodore Runyon for
the prosecution and the Rev. j. VI Buckley, Judge c. j.
Reynolds the Rev. John :. Porter, d. d. Col j. Wright
John Elliott and the Rev Franklin Ward, for the de-
fcnse
Mr. Fancher counsel for the prosecution stated that
the usual mode of procedure In civil would be
adopted in this instance and that the bill Of charges and
the the defense would be read, after which the
counsel on side would state the bearing Of testimony
DISCUSSION THE CHARGES.
In pursuance this plan the charges and specifications
by Runyon answer being made TO each by
Judge Reynolds defense When they had been read,
the Rev Dr. Sicer asked whether the Committee were
willing To say the great Methodist Church and TO the
country that persons charged with derehcu0n OF duty
were a nenabe only to the clause that refers 10 the
Official conduct OF editors and agents, OF whether their
morals and manners are also SUBJECTS OF Investigations
An attempt had been made by the prosecutors 10 modify
the bill OF indictment, and IL was evident that vast
number of the organizations were irrelevant Inc de-
fendant Is not to be- held ausWeaDle IN reference 10
on the charge of official mismanagement. Com
mtee to set preeept of ranging al over creation
In It's arrignmen OF the moral character OF agents and
editors, IL may as Wen sit a. PciPe'
either nquisitorial sarchamber, or otherwlse To
investigate kndIed accusations.
The Rev. H. Bannister OF the Wisconsin Conference,
aud Professor in tne Garrett Biblical institute, near
Chicago H., moved that the Committee reserve to IT.
self the right land hereby give notice accordingly TO
revise the charges a. presented by H. +. Peass and
may be- deemed improper irrelevant, investigating
oniy such as relate To official conduct"
The Rev. &. :. Van Cleve Of the Newark Conference
and pastor a Methodist Church in Trenton, " j.,
thought it clear what course the Committee ought
to pursue. 4 each point came up, the Committee could
then decide If it did or did not affect the official conduct
of Mr. Ianahan aud could act accordingly II II dd not
to 20 further, then and there, could be passed by.
The Rev. James PIKE OF the New.llamp.hlre Confer
mine to act in the manner suggested by the member from
han an injustice If the Committee eliminated any part
OF the charges and specifications upon the whole of
which he had been suspended. Everybody knew now
with what he charged. II The Committee could
eliminate thing from the charges and specifications,
aud that contract the scope OF the inNcsga-
ton why could il not far the power TO do
concerned. eliminate them down 30 nOthngl Ii one or
parts of the charges and specifications were elm
mated the Committee would stand before the country in
the attitude of trimg with the reputation OF the ac
cused. As Mr.. Lanalan had been suspended three
months and remained in this position before the country
il SEEMED the speaker that the Committee sanctioned
suggestion for the proposed elimination, IL would be
equal saying that the Committee had met, and were
satisfied that that which would he eliminated never had
any proper foundation, any foundation grave enough
the Rev. J. +. Kennedy Of the Northern Ohio Confer
thought that there was anything IN the charges
aud specifications that should have been and yet was
not eliminated, certainly the Committee was not respon-
1be for that He proposed that the Committee proceed
with the direct part of the business which
called them together, aud hat the charges ana specn-
cations remain precisely as they were.
Bishop jones, behalf Of the bishops, expressed
views cOincidng with those o the Rev. Mr. Kennedy.
The Rev. f. 4. Blades OF the Detroit Conference said
thai in the OF this investigation it would be neces
saw this prosecution" ought to proceed without the
elimination at the present time of any part parts OF
the charges and specifications The investigation would
moi be carried that that it would repass upon
any ground forbidden by the statute discipline Of the
The Rev b. +. Rawlins. p. r.. OF the indianapolis dis
rict supposed that the Committee would have erased
De improper for them Ia investigate; but as this had
done, he moved, substitute for the motion
adopt that He had pressed this matter before
but ne believed, If he remembered right, Mr.. Lanahan
had opposed The proposition because he d not want the
rnnt,iis of the paper an anN way disturbed.
Tie Rev n. slicrr OF the Baltimore Conference had no
doubf the Committee would thai II had no right To
proceed IN TN, matter prosecutor, aud at at the
aInc time eonrr the duls oi the Committee was
ie accused and all that which not pertinent 10 the
viewed In thar llgi should Oc passed by, far as
its duty The Committee competent 10 say what
was or was right for IL to investigate Then why
should it infringe the rights Of the accused and 90
Investigation and review of matters IL not legally
called upon 10 interfere wlthi
The Rev j. Rothweiler of the Central German Confer
enee wanted the Committee 10 proceed without clint
mating any part parts OF the charges and speeica
tons
The Rev Mr. kennedy-Snce the accused was sum
moued - answer to the charges and specifications
they are, why IL rght now 0r the Committee to elm
nat. thcmi
The Rev L. VI. Vernon of the Missouri Conference did
sha
charges and specifications at the present time unless the
accused requested that IL be done.
A Voice That j. right
The Rev. g. W. Maltby OF the Erie Conference said 10
for the Committee how far il would allow the
IIa linL for fha