The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-01-11
THE BOOK SCANDAL.
Resolution Of the Committee EXone-
rating southern Methodist Church

i
rating Southern Methodist Church
WASHINGTON. Jan. lO-speciaL-The
Senate Committee on Claims has mad.
d favorable report on the following reso-
! luton:
Resolved. That the report Of HE COM
mittee made July ;. ls9s. De approved
and that no censure should rest upon the
Methodist Episcopal Church. South. for
the misstatements and conccalments of
tho book agents I'm connection with the
passage of the bill for the payment OF the
claim referred 90 in the letter OF the
bishops now under consideration. thar
the injury resulting therefrOm affected
only the benehciaries OF the fund and
not the United states. and the Senate
should take 40 further action IN The
natter
ia its report the committee says.
Tho Committee on Claims, 10 whom
was referred "a letter from the bishops
Of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
South. dated August 26. 1s9s relating TO
the claim of the book agents of that
Church. which was authorized to be paid
by an act approved March II. 1s9S. entl-
tied An act for the relief OF the book
agents of the Methodist Episcopal
Church South. submit the following re-
port thereon:
"The letter is as follows.
West Nashville Tenn, Aug. %, 1898.
MY Dear Sr-At a meeting Of the
bishops of the Methodist Episcopal
Church. South. held in Nashville. Tenn.
July T. 1895 with reference TO the war
claim recently granted by the Govern
ment TO the Church they represent the
following action was taken by them, Of
which II is made my duty 20 give you,
as President Of the Senate OF the United
States, official notice for presentation 70
that honorable body:
while reahirming the justness Of our
claim, payment OF which has been sought
for twenty-five years. we insist that the
Church cannot afford 10 accept 1t as d
gratuity or on conditions that reflect upon
its honor Inasmuch. therefore. as some
senator's have affirmed on the floor Of
the Senate that they were induced 20
support the claim by misleading state
ments on the part Of the representatives
Of the Church-statements. however,
which did not affect the merits Of our
ciaim-we hereby give this assurance:
That II the Senate, by affirmative action.
declares that the passage Of the bin was
due TO such misleading statements, we
win take the proper steps 10 have the
entire amount returned % the Govern
ment ROBERT x. HARGROYE,
Secretary of the College OF Bishops"
"The bin referred 20 provides FOR the
payment of S2sS 600 IN satisfaction OF the
claim. and after it became a law TINS
committee was authorized 10 inquire and
report the circumstances connected with
its passage
'"The resolution authorizing this in
qgry Is as follows:
Resolved That the Committee on
Claims be directed 20 inquire and report
10 whom the money was paid under tho
claim Of the Methodist Book Concern
South. and also as 10 all circumstances
connected with the passage Of the biz
providing for the payment OF said claim
and with the subsequent payment Of the
money under said act Of Congress
"Thc investigation was made. a num-
ber of witnesses were examined. and the
committee submitted Their report 10 the
Senate ON the Sth day Of July 1898.
In conclusion OF This report IL Is stated:
"In conclusion. the committee deem "
proper 10 state that no censure should