The San Francisco call., 1895-12-21
Not an A. P. A., but a Mason
of High Degree in the
United States.
THE CHURCH AND THE STATE
Father Yorke Writes of the Teaching
of His Church on Civil Au.
thority.

Major Sherman is in somewhat of a
quandary over the present status of the
Ross orke controversy. He said yes
terday:
1t is somewhat difficult to understand what
Rev. Father Yorke is after. l said nothing
about him when l first accepted the appoint
ment arbiter and do not see what he is
driving at. Why all this beating about the
bush? Ii these points are as easily settled
both sides claim they can be, then for my sake
let Us have them and let us decide the matter
and have done with it.
Regarding Father Yorkes reprinting certain
items from the Monitor in to-day's CALL l have
nothing to say. l cannot help what the editor
of that paper thinks about me and neither do
! care. do not see that all this has anything
to do with the points at issue. Nothing viii
be settled by publishing columns of communi-
cations day after day in the newspapers
Either Rev. Mr.. Ross is right or Father Yorke
is. / do not care which. This is not a case the
judgment of which will settle anything any
thing of vital Importance. 1t is merely q
question of difference between two men and
possesses no great significance as between
creeds.
1t is q mistake to think that it will establish
the truth or falsity OF any existing tenet OF
Catholic or Protestant faith. 1t is merely q
dispute between two men and nigh have been
settled weeks ago. do not know Rev. Mr.. Ross
more than as to bowling acquaintance. He
came here last Saturday and requested me to
act as one OF the judges. This consented to
do. have absolutely nothing to do with the
American Protective Association. 1 do not be-
long to 1t, although my sympathies have al
ways been with the Protestant movement.
have read none OF the matter in the various
papers and have said nothing on the subject.
Therefore | believe | am q competent Judge.
When l say my sympathies are with the Ameri-
can Protective Association, l do not wish it ur-
derstood that carry my spmpathies onto the
bench of justice, for should be false to myself
were to allow such an idea to 60 out.
l have not taken any steps toward meeting
Mr. Foote, for whose integrity and legal learn
ing have great respect. We are strangers to
each other. never met Mr.. Foote in my life
as know. He is Father Yorke's appointee
and was the first named. l believe it is his
duty TO notify me if he desires to proceed in
the matter. have in mind several good men
for the third Judge, but until he calls on me to
discuss the matter shall do nothing. l do not
think 1t would be right for me, or respectful to
Mr.. Foote, to mention any of my preferments
and so Will not do it.
l think the same as Mr.. Foote is reported as
thinking. That is that this matter is not to
decide theological controversy but merely
to say whether certain things are in certain
books or whether they are not.
L do not intend to pay any attention to
Father Yorkes reflection on me as a man. be-
cause that is best answered by my standing in
the community. 1t is certainly not thing for
newspaper controversy. 1t would well be-
come me TO speak disrespectfully of the Society
OF Jesus or any other order that prevails in the
Roman Catholic church.
Ihave been elected the National president of
the Veteran Masonic Association of the United
States which is the highest office in the gift of
the Blue lodge. My whole life's history is an
open page behind me, and it has not a blur on
II. l would not stoop now to consider or an
swer such an attack. 1t would only rebound
on me. What he says in that connection only
exposes him to the public in light IN which
should greatly dislike TO be seen.
see also that the Monitor contradicts what
] said about 1t calling me the biggest liar on
the Pacific Coast. In to-days CALL l see it
says "the most constituencies liar on the Pa
ciiic Coast" and then it says did not say this
recently" 1t was lest March only, and when
man gets to my age nine months is certainly
more recent" than ancient. see no differ
ence a all in the language and I am perfectly
satisfied that the language l used has been
used in regard TO me in the Monitor.
do not understand what Father Yorke
wants. 1t appears as though he were wanting
TO indulge in newspaper controversy instead
OF carrying out the original plan. | said I
would give the devil a fair trial and am still
prepared to do so. l stand to-day as an un-
biased juror. have said nothing on one side
or the other of the merits OF this controversy
and have read nothing regarding il. l am
regular attorney and have my certificate show
ing when and where was admitted to practice
before the Superior Court.
understand that ell we have to do is to take
papers which Rev. Mr. Ross will submit to US and
decide whether or not certain statements are
TO be found in them. That is all have to say
at this time. expect that Mr.. Foote with soon
communicate with me, but in the meantime !
shall not discuss the matter. / do not intend
that when the questions are submitted to us
shall have any prior knowledge of them.