The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-08-20

Its Alleged Violation and Involuntary
Servitude Of Italian Boys-The Case In
the United States Courts.
An Italian named Vincenzo Motto, residing at
- Crosby street, was yesterday charged before
Commissioner Osborn with violating the Civil
Rights bill ofls6e, by keeping a boy named Joseph
under his control and Furnishing him differently
from what the laws OF this country permit This Is
the substance Of the legal phraseology OF the war
rant, but in plain English the charge Is that Motto
kept the boy in involuntary servitude; that he
taught him to play the fiddle and sent him out TO
beg, taking whatever money the boy might re-
Ceive and that he punished nim by biting his ear
and cutting and marking il deeply. Motto Is
thick-set man. with round head and round face.
HIS hair is very black and cut short. He appeared
coat and vest. The boy Joseph Is not. apparently,
very intelligent one, but answered readily
enough the questions put him through an interpre-
ter, boy about fifteen or sixteen years OF age,
born IN TINS country OF Italian parents
For the past two days Mr.. H. u. Monaches who
had been specially deputized to make this arrest
has been following up this matter, and on Monday
night he took Motto IN custody Motto being at the
time IN bed with two boys, who, 1t is said, he has
been In the habit Of beating in cruel manner and
sending out to follow the occupation of beggars or
mendcant Ministries. These two boys, 1t is
GAINED, are in fear Of Motto, and yesterday when
before the Commissioner, would not admit, but
rather denied, that he is their pddroae or ''bossn
though the Interpreter stated that the boys had
their master. The prisoner claims that this Is
case OF mistaken identity; that his name is not
MOTTO, but that he knows person OF that Dame
He was inclined to talk much; he gesticuiated a
good deal, after the fashion OF Italians, now and
then interpreting an English word or two into his
sentences. 1t is alleged that he stole the boy Jo-
eeph about three years ago from his parents, with
whom he was residing al the time near the city OF
Naples and that he brought him on TO New York for
the purpose OF making gain out OF his enforced
vitude. This, however. at present Is mere allega-
tiOn II it be founded In fact 1t will be the subject
matter OF inquiry before the Commissioner.
When the proceedings were opened yesterday
HI. A. IL. Purdy appeared on behalf OF the govern
was undefended.
Through the interpreter the nature OF the charge
was explained to Motto, the Commissioner INFORM
ing him that he would be assigned counsel for his
Science II he desired 1t.
The boy Joseph was called forward and, in reply
20 questions, said that he had lived with Motto for
three years in Crosby street. No. As; Motto had
other boys there but they ran away; Motto was
MS master during those three years; he taught
him the fiddle and sent him out to beg he called
Motto "Padrone." "Bos;" Motto used to beat him,
and on one occasion bit his and cut 1t severely.
the proceedings 80 far are merely preliminary.
The examination will be opened to-day before the
commissioner, the prisoner In the meantime
being committed to Ludlow street prison.