The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1876-05-09

morning, Bishop Foster, Presiding, DR.
Hitchcock, sr., agent ofthc book concern
at Cincinnati, rose 10 question o.
Privilege, and inquired why, and through
whom the papers presented by DR.. Lana
han in reference TO the western book
concern, had been made public. The
Secretary, Mr.. Woodruff disclaimed any
knowledge Of the matter and DR.. Hitch
cock said, the memorial presented by Dr.
IAnahan, charging the Insolvency Of The
western book concern, was incorrect in
its allegations.
Amos Shinkle and Dr.. Walden, jr.,
agent Of the Western Book Concern,
earnestly protested against the statement
made 10 the memorial, and the latter
offered resolution that the Committee
on Book Concern report at .the earliest
moment upon the financial condition Of
the Western Methodist Book Concern.
He said that We want this for tie .pf6tee.
tion Of our interests in the West; the time
has come when the Conference should
protect our interests. = No.. ......
DR.. Lanahan said the scenes he had
witnessed this morning reminded him, Of
a scene he witnessed IN New York when
he was in room locked up with fifteen
men. lie felt as il he would be torn in
pieces because he had charged that the
New York Book Concern had been rob.
bed. He had heard the same cry then as
10 Misrepresentation.
Mr.. Lanahan began TO read state.
ment showing therannual losses Of the
Book Concern for years, when MIR. Nc.
Queal raised the point OF order that the
statement was not germaine to the ques-
tion before the Conference, the resolution
offered by Mr.. Walden. The Chair ruled
the point OF order well taken. Finally,
a motion prevailed to permit Lanahan 10
continue, and he said that to get at the
facts twas only necessary to pass reso'
ltition-to require-a- a certain ledger to be
brought here from New York, ledger
that had been thrown aside. For fifteen
years the Methodist Church had been
cheated and swindled by false exhibits;
he had here checks TO the amount of
S152,O0O stolen from the Methodist Book
Concern. DR.. Lanahan held up in full
view what seemed to be n package of
checks. No such array Of indignation as
was attempted this morning will
smother the truth. He was not shut
up here in room as in New
York, and while the investiga-
ton was going on there was an
other matter that might be investigated.
There was document, two-thirds OF
which had been left out Of the journal OF
the proceedings Of thel last Conference,
which should have been inserted, and this
might be investigated.
DR.. Walden's resolution was adopted.
DR.. Nelson said the memorial compli-
mcnted the New York Book Concern, for
which compliment he felt by no means
Obliged, and r-prlled and thOn dOnicd its
and the allegations Of Bishop
Harris. He was Secretary Of the last
General Conference for two-thirds of the
session, when he resigned and DR.. Wood
ruff, Secretary OF the present Conference,
was chosen successor, together they edit
cd the journal Of the proceedings OF the
last Conference, and supposed they had
discharged that duty faithfully. In view
OF the statement this morning duplicating
them in emitting some part OF the pro.
ceedings, he asked for the appointment OF
a special committee 10 investigate and re-
port the facts. He denied peremptorily,
squarely and fully any omission OF the re-
cords from the journal of the proceedings.
DR.. Woodruff disclaimcd to-day any
omission. lfsuch thing had occurred
it was not within his knowledge.
Mr. Lanahan was proceeding with his
statement in regard 10 the report of the
examination made by J. A. Gaun when
Tie chair ruled it out OF order.
Bishop Harris motion for q special
committee then passed with an amend.
ment authorizing DIR. Lanahan to appear
before the committee. William Rice, s.
B! Ridgeway, C: Altman and J. B. Weaver
were appointed as the committee.
The fraternal delegates and others from
Canada we're introduced and The dele
gates will be formally received TO-
morrow. .rt' , %
Memorials were presented and referred
and the Conference adjourned.