The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-07-17
THE METHODIST BOOK CONCERN.

statement of the present status of the
claim of the Methodist Book Concern
about which so much has been said. We
agree with Mr.. Wilson in every state
ment he makes except his view Of the
action of Barbcc and Smith. The en-
in view of the refusal of Congress for
thirty years to pay this just debt, was
in every way proper. There was moth
ing wrong in promising him the big
commission, though its wisdom may be
open to question. From first to last the
Methodist church and its officials acted
with honor and propriety up to the send
ing of the Barbce-Smith telegram. That
Stahlman turned out to be Il liar and a
knave-0hese are the mildcst words that
can be used since he compared him
self to the Apostle Peter)-the church
could not foresee. His conduct is every
where denounced and rcpudated
AS to Barbee and Smith, we have been
regretfuly forced to lose confidence in
them. We do not believe for moment
that they were corrupt or that they re-
ceived IL dollar of Stahlman's dishonest
fee. They were so anxious to close up
the matter that they were guilty of de-
ception. as the correspondence shows.
The following is the letter written to
Barbee & Smith, by Senator Pasco, an
earnest supporter of the bill:
March ;. 1898.
Messrs. Barbee & Smith, Nashville,
Tenn:
Dear Sir: Some malicious persons are
circulating Il slanderous story about the
capitol, with the evident purpose to OBJ
struct the passage of our bill. 1t is to
the effect that you have made a contract
with Mr.. Stahlman to pay him forty per
cent. of the amount recovered.
1t was not necessary for me to get any
contradiction because | knew very well
that the agents of the publishing house
knew better how to conduct their trust
than to make such an improvident bar
gain. and | knew also that there was no
power to make such IL contract, so | did
not hesitate TO denOunce it as malicious
SANDER: and | am sure also that the
Senators who came to me for informa-
ton upon the subject are thoroughly
satisfied with my statement. But as a
matter of caution it will he very well for
me to have positive denial from you
which | can use if it appears necessary
either before the bill comes up for ac
ton or on the floor of the Senate, so /
suggest that you send me telegram on
Monday us to the facts of the case and
authorizing me, as | am sure you can.
to deny this statement.
Yours truly.
PASCO.
Replying to this comprehensive inquiry
Messrs. Barbee q Smith wired:
Have asked Mr. Stahlman to call at
once to see you. He is Il gentleman up
on whose statements you may implicitly
rely. He is our friend and neighbor and
official member of our church, whose in
terest in our behalf REACHES BE
YOND AND ABOVE PECUNIARY
CONSIDERATION.
"BARBEE e SMITH.
Book Agents.
This telegram committed Barbee &
Smith to the misrepresentation Stahl-
man admits making, for they said: "He
is Il gentleman upon whose statements
you may implicitly rely" If the matter
had stopped with this, Barbee & Smith
might have claimed that their confidence
in Stahman was misplaced and escaped
severe censure. But the telegram was
not entirely satisfactory to the friends
of the measure, and Senator Bate, who
was championing the claim, wired Smith
& Barbee as follows:
"Telegraph answer to-day to Senator
Pasco's letter to you Saturday as to
Stahlmans having fee of 40 per cent,
or any other fee in case of payment of
your claim. In my Judgment if true, it
will endanger the bill.
"W. b. BATE"
The duty of the book agents was
contract to the Senators, or to decline on
the ground that it was matter into
which the Senate had no right to inquire
Either answer would have straghtfor-
ward. 1T is to be regretted that these
two men of bIameess reputation had
been so Stahlmanized as to send decep-
tive kilograms. intended to mislead and
which did mislead. To Senator Pasco
they wired:
"rhe statement is untrue, and you are
therefore authorized to deny it.
BARBEE Il SMITH"
In answer to Senator Bates inquiry,
they wired:
I'VE wired Senator PascO early this
II. M, as follows:
''The statement is untrue, and you
are therefore authorized to deny it.
RARBEE & SMITH,
Technically these kilograms were not
false, but morally they were as false as
any plain falsehood that could have
been penned. Upon the strength of these
statements to Pasco and Bates, the
Senators Indignantly denied that 4 very
large per cent. of the money was to 90
to claim agent, and the bill was pass
ed upon their assurances. 1t may be
and doubtless is true that there are law