New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-07-16
THE ITALIAN MUSICIAN TRADE.
SAD STORY OF TWO LITTLE GIRLs-HARD WORK. NJ
WAGES, AND ONLY ONE MEAL DAY.


WAGES, AND ONLY ONE MEAL DAY.
The first case in four years under the
Padrone Act" a law designed to prevent the hdnap-
ming OF Italian children 70 used itnerant musicians
in this country was investigated yesterday by Commits
sioner Osborn The children were Maria Antonio Tor
dogma and Maria Gargano girls of eleven and nine
years. They evidently the garments In Wnlch tney
arrived six weeks Their sad faces ana hstess
manner revealed the life they had led. Once only did
they speak with vehemence; and that was when they
were asked they would like to return to Italy In com
pany with their MASTER the accused Antonio Briga.
They both said No." exctedy and declared that he had
treated them badly. The examination developed the
fact that many children are taught music in Italy and
brought thfs country for the sole purpose OF making
them earn money for their taskmasters.
The eldest girl, Maria Terdogna, testified that
they both lived in MoncerolerO, Caabria, and that
Briglia lived in the same For time before
they came to America they taken to bis house and
taught how 20 play the VIOLIN When they had ac-
CURED some skill they told day that they were
to be taken to America The girls mother
consented to her departure. The two girls
left home about noon day in company
with Baptista At the end OF the day they reached
place called Casca where they found three little Doys
and two little girls who were also going 10 america
with the party. They went TO Naples then to Mar
seiles where they found Brigla He brought them to
America by way Of Havre and Liverpool From Casea
10 Havre they were made TO boys clothing. She
had never sent any money home to her mother;
Maria Gargano the other girl, then testified that she
America because she was starving IN her own
country She told story Of the music lessons and
the departure as the first Witness While they were at
Marsefles Bngia promised them money and clothes
they would come quietly to America. lie had
never given her either money or clothes. She was
very sorry that she had here and would ike 10 80
back to her parents She ended her testimony WIN
these words, in response to questions by Commissioner
Osborn: " have been around New-1Ork playing on
the fiddle. / give the money | obtain TO Brglia We
are given food day. and then only bread-nothng
more" The older girl in reply TO questions, also
said that she gave Briga all her money
every day She did not have enough TO eat.
Sometimes he told her that she came home from WORK
too early in the evening They earned together 90 or ~
cents day. They slept In the same room win Brlga
and boy who played on the violin: Brigia mad told
them thai they must remain with him four years, ana
the OF that time they could go BACK 70 lay
Commissioner Osborn said that he would nave
TO dismiss the charge Of kidnapping, as the
girls plainly had left home OF their own free
WILL He would like 10 hear argument from eoun-
sci, however upon the point whether Brgla had not
violated that portion of the statute which made II
felony 10 bring into the United States any person m
weighed I'm any other country with intent 10 hold suc
persons in involuntary servttude. He said he would
hear the argument Of Assistant Flero
Mr. Deafeld for the prosecution, ana OF X H. hacey
for the defendant on Wednesday.