The San Francisco call., 1898-11-01
Aflrns the "Hefting'' Mayor Stands in the Forefront of
 BigOtIy and intolerance
Both Men Pronounced Moral Cow ardsl AffaIt to Fight for Great Principles foi Fear of.=.Eos-.
 .Ing. a Few yotss|.,. ......

The Rev. Peter c. Yorke, chancellor oi the archdiocese of San Francisco lec- tured last night for the last time in Cali fornia prior to his departure for Europe in quest of health. The eloquent priest spoke in the great Exposition building in Oakland for the benefit of the Church. of the Immaculate Conception. of which the venerable Father King is pastor.
 The lecturer was introduced by John :: Lynch, who spoke of him as one dear to the heart of every loyal Catholic and of every lover of liberty. He prayed that he might return safely, fortified to battle for years to come among the people who love him so dearly. The applause which greeted Father Yorke was continued for some time after he stepped forward: >.
 He created a decided sensation, among his auditors by his arraignment" of James G. Mcguire, Democratic candidate for Governor, and of Mayor James D. Phelani : candidate for reelection in this city = =
 In opening he reviewed the fight against bigotry which had been carried oil during the past five years. This, he said, was not at an end, as so long as men are men; the fight must be maintained. He alluded to the bonfires and promises of. candidates and satirized their promising everything before election and forgetting after cleo, ton. = F: : "
 He laid down the principles on which the fight was made: First. we: were mot: seeking privileges, only seeking equal rights; second, never to trust any political party, he had never favored any party or candidate except as they. stood for the principle for which he is contending; third, although this religious fight was made against us not to make religious fight in return, and, lastly, we do not respect persons. We do not respect rich men more than poor. These. are our principles :.5. ...
 Father Yorke then went exhaustively into his controversy with Dr..sC; A. Clin- tin, the Supervisor. over the mana cement of the Sailors Home. which he said had been a sectarian institution for forty years. Regarding the part Mayor Phe- Ian played in keeping it sectarian, he said: =: :: @ ::
 He stands to-day before the people of. San Francisco as approving the action Of the men who say that public moneys shall go to sectarian uses. 7. He stands as the. representative of the men who say. that Catholics have no equal rights in our puD1c institutions. He stands as the apologist. ot;.Ine men who broke every pledge. and the most sacred pledge of: all, that of religious liberty; and he stands as. their apologist. because he. IS moral coward who is afraid of losing yotes.'''..- '' -.s :. =. *.$. . =. ..r#l 2
 .'An effort. was made to change. the sec tarian character of the home. When
 
 of the Mayor, Mir. Phelan, he returned the ordinance to. the Supervisors telling: them the laws should be. fulfilled:- It was: passed again when they had fulfilled .the: law by giving the proper. number: of lad :: Vertisements,. and. again itcarne before MT. #Phelan.cs He stated then that: :: the board had enough votes to pass: 1t over: his veto, and that; therefore, ft.- would be: little use for him te veto it.: He stated that he thought he could get some. con sessions from this sectarian :board::if he signed the ordinance. I thought them as l think now. that half a loaf is better promised that the society would repeal it's bylaws regarding Protestant services and that 1t would invite Catholic clergy to come to the house on the same terms. as the clergy of the other denominations; l thought that such terms should be ac!a cepted, because there was a chance that instead of getting even this meager con- cession we might get nothing at: all So, though the Mayor of the city signed the ordinance, l have never thought 1t my duty to call him to account for it. - The friends Of pr. Clinton and. the other Supervisors have said" that. MT Phelan was as guilty as they were, and that l did not dare mention him because he was rich man. I did not mention his name because thought then he did the best he could, and even if afterward he has done wrong. and grievous and shame ful wrong, I did not think that we who are fighting in the cause of liberality. should deny him the credit when he did right After the passing of the ordinance and the signing thereof the matter rested until it chanced that became i'll and was compelled to go under medical treatment