The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-02-24
NOTIFIES THE LAWYERS
Father Yorke Formally Denies
That Any Debate Will
Take Place.
PLAINLY TERMS IT A HUMBUG
Afternoon Proceedings of the Good.
Citizenship Meeting-G. T. Bruce'S
Eloquent Address,

This evening at Metropolitan Temple
Rev. Donald NJ. Ross will begin his proof
of the four disputed propositions concern
ing which Rev. Father Yorke challenged
him. The evidence which Mr.. Ross de-
sires to submit is so voluminous that four
evenings will be required for its presenta-
ton Accordingly Metropolitan Temple
has been hired for four nights, and the
proofs so arranged that each proposition
NAV be taken up and fully considered in
one evening.
1t is stated that an enormous number OF
tickets have been sold for this culmina-
ton of the Yorke- Ross controversy, and
the capacity of Metropolitan Temple will
doubtless be tested to the utmost. In
case that not ali who wish to attend can
gain admission to the temple, they will
still be able to hear the speaker OF the
evening at first hand, for arrangements
have been made to mold an overflow meet
ing should such step prove TO be neces-
sary. A second hall has been secured, and
Mr. Ross has agreed TO present the proofs
twice each evening il required. The over
flow me etings, If they be held, will be adj
dressed by interesting speakers till such
time as Mr.. Ross shall complete his first
speech at the temple.
Mr.. Ross spent yesterday at his home
resting up in preparation for the
strain of two speeches a night for four
nights continuously. Stacks OF type
written quotations from Catholic authors
lay at hand and library sufficient to stock
a Catholic bookstore was piled over the
floor.
"Well, 1 am all ready for the test" re-
marked Father Eorke's antagonist with a
weary sigh. land l am glad the time has
come at last. 1t has been monotonouS
work, this delving in Roman authorities,
and | am glad ii is over. Proofs2 Yes, |
have proofs enough, and it only remains
10 place them before the judges and before
by the way, do you know whether Mr..
Foote and Major Sherman have chosen
the third lawyer? l formally notified them
both by mail yesterday, and Father YOrke
as well. OF the time and place of my pre-
sentation of my proofs. In my letter TO
Major Sherman | asked him to call on Mr..
Foote, II that gentleman had not yet ar
ranged meeting, and to try 10 come to
some agreement on the third man. Oh
course the major holds that as the repre-
sentative of the challenging party, Mr.
FoOte should call on him, but think he
will yield that point. We are anxious tC
concede almost everything in the interests
of truth"
The letter which Mr.. Ross has sen,
Father Yorke is as follows:
6O4 DOUGLASS STREET, J
SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. %, 1885,
To Reu. Peter C. Yorke, Chancellor Of the Arch
diocese Of San FTGIGlScG-SIR: Having accepted
your challenge, PUBLISHED in the Examiner OF
Novemb Der % last, TO prove four propositions
which you quoted, and having, as the chal-
Iea ged party, the right TO name the time and
place Tor submitting those proofs, hereby for
mally notify you.
First, that on Monday evening February %
1896. on the platform Of Metropolitan Temple
l shall commence submitting the evidences
ana proofs that the said four propositions are
truly the teachings OF the Roman Catholic
church; and
Second. that upon said platform of said
Metropolitan Temple l shall continue submit
ting said evidences and proofs on the evenings
OF tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, respect
lively, February %, % and 81, deyoting one
entire evening 10 each of said four PROPOSE.
lions.
Now, therefore, demand that you instruct
your representative upon the board of lawyers
constituting the board of arbitration to be
present upon said occasions; and
Further, I do hereby summon you, as the
challenging party, to there appear and be
present and hear said proofs and evidences
and show cause, II any cause there be, why the
SAID evidences and proofs should not be con
sldered by said court OF arbitration; failing In
which forever hold your peace. Respectfully
DONALD NJ. Ross.
The official notification sent to Mr.. Foot,
reads as follows:
6O4 DOUGLASS STREET, }
SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. %, 1896. (
To W. ". Foote Esq San frdpcisco-SIR: tt
you, as the representative OF Rev. Peter c
4orke, my challenger upon the agreed boarC
OF judges or court of arbitration / hereby for
mally notify you that upon Monday, Tuesday
week, respectively the oath, 25th, Goth apC
9th OF February, 1896, shall, on the plat
form of Metropolitan Temple, present my
proofs OF the Jour propositions contained il
the challenge aforesaid.
Now, therefore. do you as one mem Der of sa1C
court or arbitration, be present at said place a
SAID times to hear and judge said evidence
and proofs; and
Do you, as the representative of the chal
Ienging party, summon 10 q conference Majo
Edwin A. Sherman of Oakland nv represen ta
tive and a member OF said board or court, an,
with him choose and agree upon a third law
yer 10 complete said board or court Respect
Iu4ly' DONALD NJ. Ross
The communication to Major Sherman
Is less formal, but equally suggestive. /
reads as follows:
GOA DOUGLASS STREET
SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. %, 1896. (
To Edtoin A. Sherman Esq, Webster Street
Odadnd-SIR: This Will officially notify 70,
that will submit the proofs of the four D rop
ositions contained in Rev. Peter Yorke'
challenge, at metropolitan Temple, Fifth street
l TINS CITY, on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday AM
thursday evenings next. have also officiall-
notified Father Yorke and w. W. Foote. ii
case Mr.. Foote does not summon you by nool
Mphday 10 confer with you concerning tn
selection OF a third lawyer to complete tn
board OF judges or court of arbitration viii
you kindly call upon him and If possible hav,
the arrangement of that matter completed
Respectfully, DONALD If. Ross.
Mr.. Ross before entering the ministr,
was practicing attorney and it is sail
that during the presentations of his proof
the proceedings will be modelled cIoseI,
upon those OF the civil courts. In cas-
Father Yorke or Mr. Foote fail to put i,
an appearance their names will be called
at the door by the sheriff