14
SOUGHT A FRANCHISE THROUGH A BROKER
Was Promised the Support
of the Entire Solid
Eight.
TREACHERY IS CHARGED.
Minnie Williams' Father the
Alleged Victim of a Promi
nent Attorney.
HIS PECULIAR TALE OF WOE.
Claimed He Was Betrayed on One
Side and Treated Unfairly
on the Other.
A prominent and well known attorney
of this city is charged with having agreed
to act as a broker for the Solid Eight of the
Board of Supervisors for the bale of a fran
chise for a garbage crematory, and to have
then betrayed his clients.
His accuser is A. E. Wi'liams, the father
of Minnie Williams, one of the alleged vic
tims of Durrant.
In yesterday's Call there was published
a statement made by Mr. Williams alleg
ing that the Board of Supervisors had
acted unfairly toward him in not granting
him a franchise for a garbage crematory,
notwithstanding that his bid, as he claims,
was the highest. It was in an interview
based on this item that a series of most
sensational statements were made by Mr.
Williams. Mr. Williams had a Grievance.
He was indignant, as he expressed it,
that after he had agreed to pay a good
round compensation for securing the votes
to pass this franchise, the Supervisors
should have failed to deliver the goods.
His ire was not so much directed against
the man who, he distinctly charged, had
betrayed him and his co-partners, as ii
was against the Supervisors.
He told the tale without a glimmer en
tering his apparently morally obtuse
mind that he had been engaged in a great
moral and legal sin. and spoke of bribery
as a merchant speaks of the merchandise
in which he deals. His sole thought was
the protection of his interests and the re
sort to bribery was treated as an ordinary
business transaction. His remarkable tale
follows:
I have had the project of establishing a
garbage crematory in this City in mind for
about three years. I had made efforts before
other Boards of Supervisors to secure a fran
chise for the purpose, but something or other
always prevented me from securing It. I en
deavored to secure one from the present board
about a year ago and was then given to under
stand that the board would not advertise for
one without some special influence being
brought to bear upon them. About ten
months ago I first consulted with
(naming a prominent attorney; in ref
erence to the matter, and on the understand
ing that he was to have a one-tenth interest in
the franchise he agreed to see that the Solid
Kight granted me and the parties I represent
such a franchise.
On the strength of the understanding thus
had with Mr. 1 made application last April
to the Board of Supervisors, and in accordance
•with the act of March 3, 1893, they advertised
for bids ior "a franchise to receive, cremate
and destroy all garbage, house refuse, putrid
animal and" vegetable matter, etc., and to con
vert a portion of the same into fertilizing mat
ter and other «ut>»tances free of all cost or
charge to the city."
While I was considering what to bid, so as to
come above the minimum of $1000 fixed for
the franchise by the supervisors, and yet not
pay too much lor it, 1 had other conversations
With Mr. , in the course of which we dis
cussed the franchise I was extremely anxious
to secure. He showed great interest in the
matter and succeeded in getting into my con
fidence to such an extent that I told him I
thought I would put in a bid of $1050.
After we parted, however, I began to review
our talk and then became suspicious of him. as
he had asked some very pointed questions as
to what 1 proposed to bid, before I finally told
him. Not desiring to take any chances", after
consulting with the parties interested with me,
I put in a bid of $2000 cash, with the promise
of paying an adaitioual sum of $28,000 in in
stallments, extending over the thirty-five years
during which the franchise was to run. I also
promised to erect crematories or reduction
works, or both, with a capacity of not less than
150 tons daily, which capacity was to be in
creased as necessity required. The estimated
cost of the original plant was $250,000, and I
agreed to charge 25 cents for each cubic yard
of bone refuse, garbage, etc., delivered to us.
At the time the bids were opened. May 27,
1895, there was only one other, signed by
Henry J. Lang, and when this was read 1 felt
pure my suspicions of Mr. had been well
founded, for Lang bid more for the franchise
and agreed to charge less for disposing of the
garbage, etc., than I had told Mr. I in
tended to bid. For the franchise he offered
$1100, and agreed to charge only 20 cents per
cubic yard for disposing of the garbage.
My figures were apparently unexpected, for
instead of acting on the bids the matter was
laid over from time to time.
This action on the part of the board led me
to believe, and I am now quite sure I was
nerht, that Mr. had gone back on us end
ha 1 decided to secure the franchise for himself
and some of his friends.
Before I or those interested with me came to
a lull realization of the treachery of Mr.
we held a meeting at which an agreement wan
signed apportioning the franchise among us.
In this agreement the name of James E. Feehan
was inserted of a dummy to represent Mr. 's
interests.
Here Mr. Williams produced a type
written document, which he stated waj a
copy of the aereement. It read as folJows :
San Francisco, Cal., June 13, 1895.
Thiß agreement between Louis Thors,
Charles Alpers, 6. P. Rixford, J. M. Chretien,
F. A. Hyde, Theodore Keichert, D. A. Mac
donald, Joseph Scheerer, A. £. Williams and
T. J. Wrampelmeir
Witnesseth— That whereas said Williams
has heretofore applied to the Board of Super
visors of the City and County of San Francisco
for a franchise to remove and cremate gar
bage, etc., for which said Williams has a bid
now pending before the Board of Supervisors
In accordance with an advertisement and call
therefor per resolution 12,115 (third series),
and
Whereas, the parties to this agreement are all
interested in procuring said franchise.
Now, therefore, it is hereby agreed as follows:
The interest of said Williams in said franchise
is and shall be one-eleventh (1-11) of nine
tenths (9-10) of the franchise.
If the said franchise shail be awarded to said
Williams by the Board of Supervisors he will
hold the remainder thereof in trust for, and
will, upon demand, convey the same to, the
following-named persons in the proportions
stated:
To James E. Feehan one-tenth (1-10) of the
whole franchise.
To Louis Thors, Charles Alpers, G. P. Rix
ford, J. M. Chretien, F. A. Hyde, Theodore
Reichert, D. A. Macdonald and Joseph Scheerer
each one-eleventh (1-11) of nine-tenths (9-10)
of the whole franchise.
To T. J. Wrampelmeir two-elevenths (2-11)
of nine-tentns (9-10) of the whole franchise.
Any and all agreements" inconsistent here
with are hereby canceled.
John M. Chretien, A. E. Williams, G. P. Rix
ford, D. A. Macdonald, P. A. Hyde, Louis
Thors, Theo. Reichert, Charles Algera, T. J.
Wrampelmeir.
Mr. Williams continued:
This was done with the distinct understand
ing that for the one-tenth of the franchise
Mr. was to induce the Solid Eight to pass
the order granting us the franchise. The mat
ter, however, dragged on, and linally oh the
30th of last September the Health and Police
Committee of the board, which had the matter
in charge, reported to the board as follows:
[At this point Mr. Williams produced two
sheets of manuscript on legal paper, which
he explained was the report of the Health
and Police Committee and which he pro
ceeded to read.]
In the matter of bids received May 27, 1895,
for a franchise for the removal of garbage your
committee reports that in the proceedings had
the proposals were not called for in conformity
with the statute regulating the sale of fran
chises, in thai in addition to the price to be
paid the City the price to be charged the prop
erty-owners was a factor in the bids, as the
statute of 1893 provides that the highest bid
der must take the franchise, and that cannot
be determined, as the price to be charged the
property-owners was not lixed in the order
containing the conditions or in the advertise
ment calling for bids, but was determined by
the bidder, being thus at variance with the
statute.
Your committee are therefore in favor of re
jecting the bids and of directing the clerk to
readverti->e for proposals under specifications
to be adopted by your committee, which will
be prepared, and the rate 10 be paid for each
cubic yard of garbage, etc., to be cremated or
otherwise disposed of, fixed in the order, thus
allowing the bidders to estimate and state a
specific sum which they will be willing to pay,
and thes conform to the statute, as well as
enabling the board to determine the highest
bidder.
Continuing Mr. Williams said:
Now, we claim that the board had no right
to reject the bids, as there is nothing in the
statute referred to which requires the bidder
for a franchise to state what he proposes to
charere when performing the duties provided
for in the franchise. The statute covering the
matter is perfectly clear and explicit. It says:
The advertisement must state the character of
the franchise or privilege proposed to be granted,
tin' term of its continuance, and, if a street rail
road, the route to be traversed, and the day on
which tenders will be received for the same. On
thi' iiay so stated the board or other governing or
other legislative body herein mentioned must meet
in open session and read the tenders. The fran
chise or privilege must then be awarded to the
highest bidder.
You will see that nothing is said relative to
charges by the recipient of the franchise, and
the advertisement find bids certainly complied
with all the other terms of the statute. In
view of these facts, we claim that the franchise
could have been granted to us. the statute be
ing in effect mandatory on the board, instruct
ing that the franchise "must" be awarded to
the highest bidder.
"What would 10 per cent of the franchise
mean to Mr. ?" was asked at this
point.
"Well, the company was to be incor
porated with $1,000,000 worth of capital
stock, and was to immediately erect a plant,
to cost not less than $250,000, and one
tenth of the capital stock would have gone
to Mr. , including, of course, a one
tenth ownership of this plant. He would
also have been entitled to one-tenth of the
profits. He would not be subject to any
assessment for erecting or maintaining
the plant, as all his stock would be paid
up.''
It was at this juncture that Mr. Williams
came to a faint realization that he had
perhaps talked too much, for he remarked
in a casual manner:
"I wouldn't say anything about Mr.
's connection with" this matter. All
I'd like to see you do is to go for the Solid
Eight. Our people don't want to fall out,
I am sure, with Mr. and I don't think
it would suit them just now to have him
connected with the matter. I only want
The Call to show up the way in which
the Solid Eight attempted to unjustly and
unfairly deprive us of the franchise. In
fact, I "wish you wouldn't say anything
about Mr. until you have seen our at
torneys, W. H. Chapman and Joseph F.
Coffey.
"You see, we are still after the franchise,
and the mention of Mr. 's name in this
connection might prevent us from winning
in the end. We have not by any means
given tip the fight. Mr. Alpers is deter
mined to succeed ; he said he would win if
he had to send some of the Solid Eight to
jail.
"The board last week advertised for new
bids for this franchise, but we propose to
protect our rights in the courts. N-ext
week we shall begin a suit to enjoin the
board from granting the franchise to any
one but me, and to compel them to grant
it to me on the ground of my being the
highest legal bidder.
"Of course the agreement made with
Feehan, Mr. 's dummy, is now void, as
the franchise was not obtained. Since
that agreement was made D. A. Mac
donald has sold out his interest, a part to
Alpers and the remainder to S. G.
Murphy, president of the First National
Bank, " Donaldson had to draw out be
cause he failed in business, and was not in
position to put up the amount that would
be required of him to construct the cre
matory in case we obtained the franchise."
"Where were these conferences with Mr.
held?" was asked.
"In his office."
"Was any one else present besides your
self and him at any oi these talks?"
"Oh, no. He is too smart to have had
witnesses present to listen to what passed
between us."
"When the others signed this agreement
did they know who Feehan was?"
"No. I simply told them that he was
interested in the scheme with the rest
of us."
"Did the others know that Mr. was
to use his influence to secure the franchise
for you in return for a one-tenth interest
in it?"
"They presumed so."
'Why do you say presumed? Didn't
they know?"'
"They didn't know of their own knowl
edge. I simply told them so, and that
would not be good evidence in a court.
That is why I said they presumed he was
usine his influence to get us a franchise."
"Did you have any particular conversa
tions with any of tne gentlemen who
signed this agreement about your dealings
with Mr. r
"Yes, I talked the matter over with Mr.
Hyde several times. But I wouldn't say
anything in the paper about Mr. . I
don't mind how much he is shown up
later, but it might hurt me now in getting
this franchise from tne Supervisors, which
I still confidently hope to get. You see,
it would be a very serious matter for me if
I fail. I have been working up this idea
for three years, and I have put into it $3000
of my own money, and if I get the fran
chise it means $10,000 for me. Then, again,
there seems to be a prejudice in the public
mind against any such influence being
used with the board in a matter of this
kind, and if Mr. 's connection with
the matter were to be made public it
might have a bad effect on the Solid Eight.
So far as I am concerned, I think you
had better see my attorney, William H.
Chapman, in the Mills building, before
you print anything further about this
affair. He mightn't like to have me say
for publication some of these things that
I have told you."
The reporter atrreed to accompany Mr.
Williams to his attorney's office, and left
Thors' gallery, where Mr. Williams has his
"office, and proceeded to the Mills building,
but Mr. Chapman was out.
When the reporter and Mr. Williams
parted, the hitter's final words were:
"Now, don't forget to leave 's name
out of anything you write. I know he is a
broker for the Solid Eight, but I don't
think it would be good policy for me at
this time to make such a charge against
him."
Next a call was made at the office of
Mr. , only to find that he was out of
town on a duck-hunting expedition, and
that he would not return until Monday.
Samuel G. Murphy, president of the
First National Bank, was seen at that
institution and was asked to relate the
history of his connection with the garbage
crematory franchise. In response to ques
tions he gave the following information:
"I don't know who are interested in the
enterprise. The only men who spoke to
me about the matter were Mr. Hyde and
Mr. Alpers. I had the greatest confidence
in Mr. Hyde, who asked me to go into the
scheme, and gave him carte blanche to act
for me in the matter. I have no idea to
what extent lam interested. I have not
paid any money in any way in connection
with this scheme, and do not know any of
the other people who are interested in it —
not even their names."
John M. Chretien, who is an attorney,
with an office at 230 Montgomery street,
made the following Btatement relative to
his connection with the franchise:
The way I became interested in the Williams
franchise is that I was the attorney for Wil
liams and Thors, and Thors got me interested
in it. The only money I have paid in this
connection is my pro rata of the $2000 certi
fied check that accompanied the bid. I did
not personally sign the agreement apportioning
the franchise among the parties interested, but
knew such an agreement had been entered
iuto and had authorized Mr. Thors to sign for
THE SAN FRANCISCO CALL, SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1895.
me, as at the time I was confined to my bed
with a very serious illness. I did not know
that the name of James E. Feehan appeared
in the agreement. I have never seen him nor
heard of him. At the various meetings which
I attended Mr. Hyde appeared to be the chief
spirit. All the money that we paid to any out
sider in our efforts to secure this franchise, so
far as I know, was if 100 paid to Mr. Miller of
the law firm of Estee &. Miller to argue the
matter for us before the board.
When Mr. Chretien's attention was called
to the fact that he bad authorized another
to sis*n an agreement of this kind -in
which such large interests were involved,
without his knowing the exact nature of
it, he explained his action by stating that
he had the utmost faith in Mr. Thors and
knew that he would protect his (Chretien's)
interests. He added that the agreement,
as he understood it, was only a preliminary
arrangement. Continuing, Mr. Chretien
said:
The only way in which I heard Mr. 's
name mentioned in this connection was that
he was interested in the other bid. My reason
for believing this is that when we put our bid
in Mr. was out there, and examined the
bids.
I asked Williams if he knew Mr. , and he
answered : ''He is a lirst-class ."
Williams is a peculiar man in some ways,
and we could never get any satisfaction out of
him on this garbage-creriiatory proposition.
He seemed always to be afraid of giving some
thing away, and, when closely pressed, would
answer: "I am going to keep my own counsel
in this matter."
T. J. Wrampelmeier, whose name ap
pears as one of tne parties to the agree
ment with Feehan, is chemist for the
Western Chemical and Fertilizer Works,
and is also connected with the United
States Internal Revenue Service as chem
ist. He says his financial interest in the
concern was purely nominal. He first in
terested himself In the proposed garbage
crematory as a representative of the Amer
ican Reduction Works. This corporation
contemplated making a bid and authorized
Wrampelmeier to investigate the matter
for them. He did so, and as a result ad
vised the company not to make the bid
they hud intended. A few days before the
day for submitting the bids they tele
graphed him to withhold their bid. In
his investigations he became acquainted
with J. G. Eastland, recently deceased.
Mr. Eastland was then interested in the
combination which "James E. Feehan"
graced. He was no expert in matters re
lating to garbage crematories, and when
he heard that Wrampelmeier was no
longer acting for the American Reduction
Works he made a proposition that the
latter represent him in the matter. Ac
cordingly he transferred a small share of
his stock to Wrampelmeier actually and
all of'it nominally.
This, Wrampelmeier says, is all he knows
of the matter, his dealings having been ex
clusively with Eastland. He met most of
the other members of the company but
once and was not personally acquainted
with them. He did not know James E.
Feehan. He had heard it said that Mr.
was interested in the matter, but did
not know how or to what extent. He had
never met Mr. .
Theodore Reicbert. ex-State Surveyor-
General, another of the gentlemen whose
names appeared as a signature on the copy
of the agreement, when first asked to de
fine his relations with Williams and the
others whose names appeared with his,
stated that he hud parted with his interest
in the franchise to F "A. Hyde about the
Ist of November, but later admitted that
he still possessed ins original pecuniar}'
interest in the franchise, but was not pay
ing mucn attention to what was being
done in the matter. Further questioning
elicited the following:
"I don't remember having ever heard
the name of James E. Feeban. I don't
know thitt I signed any document in
which the name of Feehan appeared. I
went into the scheme through Mr. Will
iams. All the money I put into it was
my pro rata toward the certified check for
$2000 that accompanied the bid. I have
left the matter of my interest entirely to
the charge of Mr. Hyde and Mr. Al'pers
and have attended no meeting since June,
except one at the begining of November."
Louis Thors, the photographer, another
of the gentlemen interested in the fran
chise, was extremely reticent about giving
information on the subject. He finally
admitted he had an interest in the fran
chise, and stated that he had been drawn
into it by the representation of Williams.
He denied that he had signed any agree
ment apportioning the franchise, but later
asked to have this statement withdrawn
and admitted that he had signed the agree
ment containing the name of the myster
ious Feehan. Asked if he had met or
knew Mr. Feehan, be replied:
"I do not know Mr. Feehan, but have
Heard Mr. Williams speak of him. I never
met him. Mr. Williams spoke of Feehan
as being interested in the project, and I
never inquired any further."
"Have you ever heard Mr. Williams
mention the name of Mr. ?" was
asked.
"Yes, Williams said he was the attorney
for the board."
"Did Williams state that Mr. was
going to secure the franchise for the one
tenth interest he was to get?"
"I never heard him speak of Mr. in
that way. but simply as the attorney for
the board.""
Henry J. Lang, who was the competitor
of Williams for the franchise, was found
to be a clerk employed with George T.
Knox, the notary public. He refused to
state who the people were who were to
carry out the terms of the franchise, pro
vided it was awarded to him, but affirmed
that they were men of means and thor
oughly able to establish and operate a
garbage crematory. He admitted also that
Mr. , the attorney accused by Wil
liams, was interested in the enterprise,
and could, if would, tell about the pro
ject and who were interested in it.
IT SAILS AT LAST.
Manuel Cagin's Tug Pnta Oat to Sea on
Her Mission.
The tug Barclay Golden sailed yesterday
forenoon, in tne fog, from just off section
3of the seawall. Editor Alvarez of the
Diario, with whom Manuel Casin was
several times domiciled in this City, and
who was on terms of intimacy with him,
both being from the same Spanish prov
ince, said during the afternoon that (Jasin
went with the tug.
One of the passengers was addressed as
"general," and another looked like a sea
faring man who has figured prominently
in the newspapers in the past.
The claim of Secretary Woodworth for
$1150 against the Central American De
velopment Company for services was not
pressed to the extent of attaching the tug.
Another claim which Collector Raver had
against the property of Don Manuel Casin,
friend of Antonio tzeta, was for $1100 ow
ing to the California Hotel for accommo
dations. There were one or two small ac
counts from merchants besides.
Mr. Raver says Casin gave a bond of
$9000 on his charter party for the tug,
but General Alvarez said Casin had lots of
money and was negotiating to buy it out
right.
DEATH BEFORE DISGRACE.
Wli y F. Ramirez, a Guatemala Planter's
Son, Swallowed Araenic.
F. Ramirez, who attempted to poison
himself by swallowing a dose of arsenic
Thursday afternoon at the lodging-house,
707 Post street, will be called upon to an
swer one or two charges of grand larceny
as soon as he recovers.
Ramirez is the son of a planter in Guate
mala and is here with the object of finish
ing his education. He has been staying at
707 Post street and was looked upon as a
nice young man.
For some months roomers at the lodg
ing-house have been missing articles of
jewelry and money from their rooms, but
no one suspected Ramirez.
Thursday morning one of the lodgers
met Ramirez on the street. Ramirez was
wearing a muffler which was recognized as
one stolen from him. He charged Rami
rez with stealing it, and threatened to have
him arrested. In desperation Ramirez
went to his room and swallowed the dose
of arsenic. At the Receiving Hospital the
usual remedies were administered by Dr.
Fitzgibbon, and on Friday afternoon he
wa^» able to be sent to the City and County
Hospital, where he is rapidly rscovtring.
FATHER YORKE MAKES SPIRITED REPLY
Says That Catholics Were
Patient While Being
Vilified.
SLANDER OX WOMAN.
The Catholic Champion Thinks
the Rev. Mr. Ross Hys
terical.
NOT ATTACKING PROTESTANTS.
Father York Names Attorney W. W.
Foote as His Umpire— The Case
Reviewed.
In reply to the communication of Rev.
Donald M. Ross published in The Call
yesterday Rev. Father Yorke submits the
following:
San Francisco, Dec. 7, 1895.
To the Editor of the Call— Dear Sin: In a com
munication dated November '27, 1895, and ad
dressed to the editor of the Chronicle, I took
exception to certain alleged "clippings from
Roman Catholic publications" which the Rev.
D. M. Ross read at a meeting in Metropolitan
Hall November 24, and which were published
in the Chronicle of November 25.
These alleged "clippings from Roman Catho
lic publications" are:
"The Roman Church has the right to exer
cise its authority without any limit set to it
by the civil powers. The I'ope and the priests
ought to have dominion over temporal affairs;
the Roman Church and her ecclesiastics have
a right to immunity from civil law. In case of
conflict between ecclesiastical and civil powers
the ecclesiastical ought to prevail."
In the same conimunicaiiou I made the fol
lowing offer:
"1 will pay $100 in gold coin of the United
States to any charity named by the Rev. Ron
ald Ross if he can prove to tht> satisfaction ot
three non-Catholic lawyers that the above
statements, or the substance of them, occur in
any Roman Catholic publication as statements
of Koman Catholic teaching.
"On condition that if the Rev. Donald Ross
fails to prove that these words, or the sub
stance of them, occur in any Koraan Catholic
publication as statements of Catholic doc
trine, he shall pay the sum of $100 in United
States gold coin to a charity named by me.
The arbitrators shall be lawyers, non-Cath
olics, one to be chosen by me, one by the Rev.
Mr. Ross and the two to clinn.se a third, the
money to be deposited with this third lawyer
and to be by him paid as tht» conditions re
quire."
After much unnecessary discussion about
the monetary aspect of my" offer the Rev. Don
ald M. Ross wrote in a letter, dated December
4, and published in The Call:
"Now, once and for all, let me take up your
challenge."
In a communication, also dated December 4.
and also published in The Call, Mr. G. 11.
Hubbcll, manager and secretary of the Patriot
Publishing Company, says:
"The American Patriot, without the knowl
edge and consent of Donald M. Ross, hereby
agrees to put into the hands of this lawyer
$ 100 in open court."
In a communication dated December 5, and
addressed to the editor of The Call, i stated
that "If Donald M. Ross makes no protest be
fore Saturday against the action of the secre
tary and manager of the Patriot Publishing
Company I will announce the name of my
lawyer."
In a communication dated December 6 the
Rev. Donald M. Ross professes his satisfaction
anrt makes no protest.
Now, therefore, in reply to this acceptance I
beg leave to name as the lawyer selected by me
Mr. W. W. Foote of 310 Pine street.
If Mr. Ross will name his lawyer these gen
tlemen can choose a third and arrange their I
own time, place and method of passing upon I
the questions to be submitted according to the
terms of the agreement. Yours truly,
Peter C. Yorke.
Postscriptum.— For the sake of keeping th«
main question clear of the many irrelevant
matters with which Mr. Ross has character
istically complicated the discussion, I have
rserved a few remarks on his last letter for a
postscript. lam sorry to see that his tender
soul is- still harrowed with apprehension and
that the bloodthirsty Jesuits have sworn that
he shall die. He writes:
"In speaking of threats, allow me to say that
I have the names of several who have made
verbal threats which I certainly could not
manufacture. This evening a merchant told
me a Roman Catholic said in his store: "Ross
will never meet Yorke, for by God he will be
killed beiore they meet.' I have given the case
to the police."
From a perusal of these luminous sentences
I am still undecided whether the Rev. Mr. Ross
meant that he would not manufacture the
names or that he would not manufacture the
threats, and whether the Roman Catholic
meant that Mr. Koss or your hifmble servant
.should die the death. As to the names I do
not thins that the Rev. Mr. Ross is cursed with
such poverty of invention as his humility sup-
Kests. Indeed, lam under the impression that
his letters up to date Rive evidence that such
trifles as a few names or a few imprecations
would not embarrass the oriental luxuriance
of his imagination.
As to tne threats, It is passinK strange that
the Roman CatholiCß of this City have snd
denly grown so solicitous. For over a year
and a half everything that they hold dear has
been abused and vilified Sunday after Sunday
at the Metropolitan Temple, and yet they pos
sessed their souls in patience. Not to speak
of the charges ajainst men. which men can
bear, there have been uttered against the
Catholic women slanders of so vile a character
that a non-Catholic journalist of this City ivas
driven by his indignation to declare tliat "the
reverend blackguards who uttered them should
be lashed naked through the streets." Yet, in
spite of all this, Catholics have made no sign.
It is more remarkable now that they who
seemed to care so little when their wives and
daughters were slandered should become so
anxious about Peter Yorke.
Mr. Ross evidently measures my importance
by his sense of his own. Permit me to state
that he exaggerates my consequence. My say
ings and my doings have too little influence on
the present* or the future interest of the Catho
lic community in this to\.n to lead any Catho
lic to threaten violence to save me from the
terrible Mr. Ross.
I am glad, however, to see that the Rev. Mr.
Ross is learning the duties of that American
citizenship which he may remain long
enough in this country to receive. Instead of
conniving at lelony as before he has given
the case to the police. I think that when the
Rev. Mr.Ross is a little longer in this country
he will lind that the laws are strong enough to
protect him. There is no need ot hysterical
whining about the peril in which he stands.
If he continues to indulge in this unmanly
puling his friends may be compelled to sup
plement the hiring of the nurse-girl by the
purchase of a baby carriage.
Mr. Ross professes not to have read my last
letter through, but he has gathered enough
from it to discover that I am thrusting at Pro
testants, i wish to state here and now I huve
no intention of rinding fault with Protestants.
I have made no attack on the religion of others,
but I have thought it well to reply to misrepre
sentations of my creed and groundless objec
tions against my church. I realize with the
Protestant Bishop, Montague, that "It is a
shame to charge men with what they are not
guilty of in order to make the breach wider,
already too wide." The Catholic church has
been accused on certain evidence of hostility
to the state, and I have deemed it my duty to
demand proof that that evidence is not forged.
For half a century Catholics and Protestants
have lived together in this town. They nave
been united in the bonds of blood, of friend
ship and of business. Protestants and Catho
lics have worked shoulder to shoulder in the
building up of the commonwealth and mutual
acquaintance has always resulted in mutual
respect. To disturb this old-time friendship
come now not citizens of this State, but aliens
from a country that has always been hostile to
our flag. For their own profit they would sow
here these hatreds which In their native land
have borne such bitter fruit.
This is the crime I charge, not to Protestants,
but to aliens like the Rev. Donald Ross. I
have too much respect for honest, God-fearing
Protestants to confound them with the follow
ing of this latest disturber of the peace. They
and we can live together in harmony as we
have lived in the past, and as, with God's help,
we shall live in the future, when all croaking
birds of ill omen shall have retired once more
to what the New York Sun calls obscene cata
combs.
Mr. Ross makes the following assertion,
which is a good specimen of his style and
grammar: "The priest who takes care of your
folks at San Quentin wants a raise of salary be
cause, as he says, his work is getting so onerous
ana so numerous."
It may be well to remark that the chaplain
who draws the chaplain's salary' in San Quen
tin is not a Catholic clergyman. The clergy
men who are successfnl in getting the fat
places in Governmeut employ do not belong to
the Catholic church. The "salary" of which
Mr. Ross speaks is the small subvention which
is given t<> the pastor ot San Rafael and which
barely pays for the horse and buggy necessary
to visit this distant point. As to the truth of
Mr. Ross' statement I beg to submit the follow
ing note from Father Logan of St. Raphael's
Church.
__, San- Rafakl, Cai., Dec. 7.
-.Vmr Father Yorke: I see in this mornings
Call a statement from the Rev. D. M. Ross rela
tive to myself and San Quentin prison. His asser
tion is an absolute falsehood. There is not a
shadow of truth in it in any particular. Very sin
cerely H. Lagan.
Key. P. C. Yorke.
This letter speaks for itself, but I am tempted
to remark that the conduct of Mr. Ross reminds
me of the Pharisees of old. who rebuked our
Master because he eat with publicans and sin
ners. Thank God, the old church has never
forgotten the path that leads to the lost sheep,
nor that divine word, "I come not to call the
just, but sinners to repentance."
As Mr. Ross has given three-fourths of his
letter to the question of spelling, allow me a
few lines. When he states that the intrusive
"h" was corrected he relies too much on his
memory. Phonetics, of course, may explain
"shurly," but can he explain "advise ' for
advice, "challange" for challenge, and others
too numerous to quote? The more I examine
Mr. Ross' grammar and his scribe's orthogra
phy the more convinced 1 am of the sweet
reasonableness which devotes them to the
cult of the "little red schoolhouse." P. C. Y.
. TO FIGHT NOES HEIRS.
Members of the Fairmount Club Join
the Defense Association.
A mass-meeting was held last evening at
Johnson's Hall, on Chenery street, under
the auspices of the Fairmount Improve
ment Club, to consider ways and means
for resisting the claims of the Noe heirs to
the land held by settlers on what is known
as the fip.n Miguel Rancbo.
President J. L. McLaughlin called the
meeting to order and in a fiery speech re
cited the history of the transfers of San
Miguel land, which have culminated in
the present litigation, and denounced the
plaintiffs as unprincipled land sharks.
A vote of approval of the course of the
San Miguel Defense Association passed
with acclamation and a pledge to support
that course was signed by the holders of
thirty lots. Ao many more signatures
have been promised for Thursday next.
James P. Twoney, Chris Stader, Otis B.
King and Frederick Gamier were ap
pointed a committee to attend the next
meeting of the defense association and
notify it of the club's action.
Behrend Joost ana Chris Stader were
appointed as a committee to wait on the
Board of Health on Tuesday next and
urge the rapid completion of the Islais
Creek sewer.
Another Factory Closed Down.
Depression in the money market and
dull times have forced the large manu
facturers, Osborn & Co. of Lancaster, Pa.,
to close down.
One of the largest manufacturers of fine
coin silver plated ware in that State.
The coods are now on exhibition at the
well-known jewelers, Cummings' Sons,
327 Kearny street, between Bush and Pine,
and must be sold at public auction without
any limit before the 25th of December.
The auction sale will begin to-morrow
(Monday), December 9, at 2 p. m. and in
the evening at 7 o'clock. Seats for ladies.
Private sale in the mornings.
After January 1, 1896, the Laclede Gas
Light Company of St. Louis will furnish
gas at 80 cents per thousand for heating
and $1 per thousand for illumination. The
prices are now $1 25 for either kind.
NEW TO-DAY.
ONYX TABLE—
A handsome Table, polished Fire Gilt, with fine
richly tinted Mexican Onyx top, for 94.25. NOT
the cheap, flimsy kind sold at similar prices, but a
solid, well-made table, worth regularly $6. This
price holds good until Saturday night,' but the
tables may not— better come early. Two others
also go on sale at 54. 95 and 96. 85. We cannot
fill country orders for these tables. .
Thirty-five new designs in Onyx Tables, and 35
WHOLESALE PRICES.
Here at last— Another big lot of B. A H. OIL
HEATERS. Price 90. Shipped to any address
on receipt of price.
THAT BIG CHINA STORE
• A Quarter of a Block Below Shreve's.
WANQENHEIM, STERNHEin& CO.,
528 and 530 Market St.,
27 and 29 Sutter St.,
. . BELOW MONTGOMERY.
FUR CAPES;
ALL STYLES. :
P^g^ 1 "^ PER
jftti^. ■■ ■ " 9m^^m^ •' ■ CENT
mßjf discount
FOR THIS
$ljlmsM WEEK ONLY -
ASTRACHAS
capes, :;
if^v^^^i*f2a' SOinches long,
§»»&:iP O r »7.00,
•fritßr^^ TMT ;; ; Worth »15.
■ • ' Special Care to Country Orders. : : '■ ■
ARMAND CAILLEAU,
; 46-48 Geary Street. ;
„ Corner Grant Avenne. . /.. . ' '.. ,"
! ■■''•'■"-■ . ••*'-' " ' ' ' ■ • ' .:; :'■• ' ; ' •
ib Hi^f. IS B/^ Hj I/*
HB bH * ''■'. 0 1^1 S ftfli
IS .' IB \li rE9 ■ ■■ r
The most certain and safe Pain Remedy. 'Instantly
relieves and soon cures all Colds. Hoarseness, Sore '
Throat, Bronchitis, Congestions and Inflamma-
tions. ; 60c per bottle. - sold by Druggists. . * '■
NEW TO-DAT-DRT **°f???; _^ _,_^--.
SPECIAUIJPORTATIONS
THE HOLIDAY TRADE !
The public Is Invited to Inspect pur magnificent
stock of NEW GOODS of every description and espe-
cially imported by us for the HOLIDAY TRADE. The
assortment is the largest and most complete ever shown
In this city.
LADIES' Kid Gloves, Silk Gloves, Lace Scarfs, Fine Um-
brellas, Lace Neckwear, Silk Skirts, Initialed Hand-
kerchiefs, Silk Waists, Feather Scarfs, Fancy Aprons,
Embroidered Flannel Skirts, Ribbons, Lawn Hand-
kerchiefs, Embroidered Handkerchiefs and .Fancy
Shawls.
GENTS' Kid Gloves, Scarfs, Suspenders, Silk Umbrellas,
Merino Hose, Dress Shirts, Collars and Cuffs, Silk
Handkerchiefs, Silk Underwear, Silk Mufflers, Wool
Underwear, Silk Reefers and Plain and Initialed
Linen Handkerchiefs. •
We are also showing an elegant assortment of High
Novelty Black and Colored Dress Patterns, Novelty Silks
for Waists, Dress Trimmings, Fancy Ribbons, Lace Bed
Sets, and Silk, Satin and Sateen Down Comforters and
Pillows. ://-'■';■'
500 dozen LADIES' FRENCH KID GLOVES, embroid-
ered backs (all sizes), in all the new shades,
$1.00 a Pair,
Worth $1.50.
ill, 113, 116, 117, 119, 121 POST STREET.
PHILADELPHIA SHOE CO,
I STAMPED ON A SHOE
MEANS STANDARD OP MERIT.
wiiuUi M^§^4
FOR THE HOLIDAYS.
Are you thinking of buying a pair of shoes for
yourself, or do you contemplate making, some
friend or relative a Christmas Present ? If you do
be Riire and call on us and examine our stock and
prices. We are making special prices, and it will
be money saved if you trade with us. We mean
wbat we say when we asaert that we are selling
lower than our competitors. We realize tha: that
high Spreckels fence is more or less of an obstruc-
tion, and we are therefore offering special induce-
ments to our customers. We have a complete line
of Holiday Goods tor Men. Women or Children,
comprising Ftacy Embroidered and Leather
Slippers, Ladles' Fine B ock Cloth-quilted, Fleece-
lined Nullifiers, with fur trimming, which we sell
fori)»l.so. These Nulllfiers are good fitters, easy
on the feet, look neat and are warm and comfort-
able. They are sold elsewhere for $2.
HOLIDAY SLIPPERS.
Our line of Holiday Slippers for Gentlemen can-
not be excelled in this city. -We have a Fine Em-
broidered Slipper, With patent-leather trimming,
which we will sell for 75c. We also carry them
for $1 and upward to the flnest quality. Our . lines
of Men's Leather Slippers comprise Russia Leather,
Uoatskin, Dongola and Alligator Skin, and range
In price from t»1.25 to 52.00.
Ci 7R |S I
II I U /
OBSTRUCTION PRICES.
We are selling THK BEST SHOES FOR
THE LEAST MONEY IN THIS CITY. We
know it, our customers know it, and we want you
to know it. • This week we are offering a bargain in
Ladies' Shoes. We have 500 pairs of Ladies' Extra
Fine Dongola Kid Button Shoes, with either Cloth
lor Kid Tops, straight foxed vamps; medium, square
or pointed toes and V-shaped Patent-leather Tips,
which we will sell for . - - >
r 75.
This Is a genuine bargain, as these shoes are well
worth at least $2 50, but we recognize the fact that
we must offer extra Inducements, and so | we have
placed this extra fine line on sale at such a low
price. • Widths C, D, E and EE. '
MEN'S GENUINE ALASKA SEAL, LACE
OB CONGRESS SHOES reduced t0..... »S. 00 I
LADIES' BTOKM BCBBEBB reduced to.. 400 I
WE HAVE JNOT MOVED.
Country orders solicited. .
43"Send for New Illustrated Catalogua. .
Address ■:■ ■-■■■< v- ...•--••?■'. •■ .■•■ . -■■ ■ ' * - "
; ,B. KATCHINSKI,
10 Third Street, San Franclaco.
PHILADELPHIA SHOE CO.
TOYS! : a
DOLLS!
GAMES!
Don't Wait Until
the Last Week
Before XMAS to
Buy Your
PRESENTS
In order to induce
our customers to
come
EARLY
— — A.N"D— —
OFTEN
We will allow a
10 per Cent
Discount
On all purchases of
over one dollar in
our .-'.,.'
Toy Department
For week ending
December 14 only.
]MOTE.
*y Goods delivered free of charge to Sauaalito,
Blithedale, Mill Valley, Tiburon, San Rafael, Stock-
ton, Hay wards, Vallejo, Napa, San Lorenzo, .Mel-
rose, San Leandro, Oakland, Alameda and Berkeley.
Send for our ILLUSTRATED CAT-
ALOGUE. Mailed free to any coun-
try address.
818-820 Market Street
, Phelan Building. ,
- . Factory— 3o First Street. •
~~~NOf ARY PUBLIC.
YIBABLEI. H. PHILLIPS, ATTOBNKY-AT
\J law and Notary Pub'.ic, 63a Market sL, oppo- i
site Palac* UoMtl ltMid«ac« lftiO4'«U*b Tti*
plioue 670. ".."-. - /• •. • ■■"'-'/■