New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-04-29
THE BOOK ROOM FRAUDS.
AN OLD SCANDAL REVIVED AFTER
TWENTY-FCUR YEARS.

THE PURPOSE OF DIR. LANAHAN's BooK-TEE
EvENTFuL STRUGGLES OF AN UNAPPREcI-
ATED REFoRMER-A FINAL APPEAL TO
EE MADE TO THE METHODIST
GENERAL CONFERENCE.
The Book Room frauds and the Book Room
scandal familiar phrases a quarter OF
century ago. From 1869 until 1872 the Methodist
Episcopal Church papers had frequent statements
To the public in regard 10 the matter and the
secular press all over the country with meagrc
sources OF exact information. from time to time
gave facts, rumors and reports which, however
erroneous In minor details were in the main more
correct and characterized by farer spirit than the
Official and seml-o,iicIal publications. 1t was
period Of deep anxiety all MethodIsts who loved
their Church. and while few Of the members knew
what the trouble was all about. all came to realize
that their denomination passing through
season OF trial unknown In Its history since the
antl-savery agitation that had severed 1t IN twain
With the close Of the General Conference OF lNZ
the matter seemed to be at end; the Church
breathed sigh Of relief and few thought that the
ghost OF the dreary past would walk again
But the Book Room frauds have become a topic
OF discussion after the lapse Of tweny-four years,
since the highest official body in the Church sup
posed II had settled them. The Rev. Dr. John
Ianahan OF the Baltimore Conference. has pub
Book Concern which gives history of the oil
controversy with official documents and an array
OF facts which have hitherto been In the possession
or within the knowledge Of few persons. "A revival
OF an old scandal" some say and the author VIII
probably be censured at first thought, by many as
dsturber OF the peace OF the Church with no good
purpose In view The fact that such book was
to be published was announced several weeks ago;
and a little later DR.. Ianahan addressed the Balti-
more Preachers meeting, stating the nature OF his
work and the objects h, had In view In preparing H.
The reception with which these announcements
were met. from men prominent In the Church, mas
indicated his judgment as to the wisdom OF his
course and of that which he intends to pursue For
Dr. Lanahan proposes to bring the entire matter
before the General Conference. which VIII meet In
May to ask for thorough investigation and
decision which shall 20 on the official record. and
stamp him for all time an earnest and honest
worker for the Church ne has served more than an
ordinary lifetime. a mischief-maker and SLAM
derer Of his brethren There is no reason to doubt
that what he asks will be granted him. In his
preface Dr. Lanahan says:
There came a time when. was assaled as q
sanderer. OF honest people. | twice suspended
from my official position In the church and thrown
Church. with circulation OF nearly one hundred
held me- up to public reproach. and the church al
large to this day does not know whether there was
me and the abuse heapei upon me. Ever since I'm
puta tons have been cast upon me, In some IN
stances by nigh officials tending 70 destroy con.
Christian name ana i1T inc onsb, NOT before
death shall seal my lips; M this cloud that has
hung me for more than twenty years
HISTORY OF THE BOOK CONCERN.
The records given In DR.. Lanahan's book-and n
con iains nothing that he does not profess hms-i
able to substantiate before the General Conference
are amazing or would be n they concerned an ordi-
t,. To lf
men The peculiar conditions under which the bust
ness Of the Methodist Episcopal Church n carried
on and the circumstances attending and governing
every step in the deplorable scandal AID Its IN
yestigation make sufficiently cnar maay things
which would seem impossible in n sceno where all
the actors were Christians holding high positions OF
honor and trust In n Church where probiiy OF
character and honesty In dealing are held essential
Here are few explanatory facts which DR. Lana
han addressing a Methodist audience did not thnk
necessary TO merton: The Methodist Book Con-
Germ is the old.t.ne for the publishing houses
OF the Church. They have grown from small begin
nngs into large institutions printing all the Church
and Sunday School literature. the official Church
papers and magazines, and formerly quarterly
review While they 60 an annual business equal
10 that OF the larger secular houses they are free
from the airy competition OF trade. Every
Ioval Church member is urged TO take at least one
OF the Church publications; the Sunday School
libraries supplied here. ana here the preacher
procurcs the bulk OF his theological TEXTBOOKS ana
the volumes for his library As the surplus earnings
OF the Book Concern devoted 10 specified
Church purpose every pastor urges upon his people
the duty OF supporting IT, The responsible heads OF
this great business institution are known as
agents They have almost invariably been preach-
ers who have risen to smnence or popularity
through their eloquence through certain influence
rain.d among their fellow preachers while engaged
in pupit work This has been their preparation
for directing large and intricate business eh'er-
prise Their emin nj fitness for a new ana untriea
life is decided by the members OF the General con-
ference until 1872. composed exclusively OF prea'h-
ers each eminent or popular In his annual confer
ence simply as n preacher and not n business
man or a Judge Of what constitutes business ability
But 10 insure the Church against any accident or
mistake in the selection OF its agents. and to give
sbsoute security to the furds Of the Church. this
hodv OF eminent preachers chooses from its number
fifteen OF the more eminen, or popular "a a "fook
Committee" whose duty u Is:
To examine into the condition OF the publishing
inferesfs OF the Church. 10 Inspect the accounts or
The agen oa,d msns ana 10 the General
They shall also attend 10 slch matters ~ may ne
rcferecd them by the edltors OF agents LOT Inv"
action counsel.
No great secular institution would be expected to
nrosper under chiefs whose life training had been
such as 10 unfit them for secular work, ana under
superyision OF a governing committee OF similar
training That there have not been numerous book
room scandals Is n matter for wonder
CRITICAL PERIOD.
The perod OF which DIR. Lanahan treats was a
pecul!ar one-happIly one such as Will never he
seen again In America: The Civil War occasioncd
wild speculation; fortunes were made rapidly by
methods which not scrutlnizcd frauds In
army contracts were assumed by the public to be
ra her the rule than he exception. and "shoddy.
az annlied TO men, instead OF TO the goods they
made or sold was n term OF good-natured de-
rison. rather than OF moral censure. Business
methods became demoralized and business morals
relaxed Then came the OF Wild gold mine and
oil speculation--when stocks were sold al par 'e-
fore the land had purchased. and advanced
I'm nor cent on Surface Indications" before hole