Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-10-06
PITTSBURG ITALIANS.
The First Emigrants to This City
From the Land Of the Caesars
DRIVEN FROM HOME By TAXATION
Until Now There are Over 1000 Italians
in Pittsburg.
BECOMING CITIZENS OF rae REPUBLIC
rwaIrrzN ToH THE DISPATCH J


WRITTEN FOE THE DIsPATcH.I
Thirty years ago Italians were less numer-
Gus in Pittsburg than Cinnamon are to-day.
Among the earliest OF the immigrants from
the land Of the Cesars were LOUIS Celia and
the father Of Joseph Cuneo, present court
interpreter. The former still lives, at ripe
old age, in Oakland, and there spends the
evening of his busy day in Independence.
Ills first business enterprise in this city was
fruit stand near the Court House. The
elder Cuneo some years ago passed away
Another Of the Italian pioneers was Jo-
seph Sinaidgo, of Fifth avenue, who is well
known to all our citizens. Mario Sinaidgo
is reported the wealthiest Of our ItaIias cit
izens, being the owner of some 10 hoses,
whose rental helps to swell his revenues.
The first Italian arrivals were from the
province Of Genoa, having started out a.
Columbus did from the same part, in quest
of fortune in q new world. This first emil
grafton of Italians to Pittsburg was in the
early fifties, and for many years there were
very few to follow.
John B. Descalzi the wholesale dealer in
tropical fruits on Liberty street, says that
when he came to this city ~ years ago
there were less than 800 Italians here.
These made their homes chiefly in Virgin
and Strawberry alleys.
From the centennial year the growth Of
our Italian population steadily increased
until now there are not less than 4. .0O0 in
Pittsburg and Allegheny against 200 to 800
In 1876 The earlier emigrants, as has
been said, were almost entirely from Genoa
and vicinity. Along in the seventies taxes
became very burdensome in the Italian
provinces, and multitudes who found it i'm
possible to support the Government and
feed and clothe their families turned their
attention to the land Of Columbrs and
Washington, and large emigration to this
country was the result. The first great
influx of Italians to the United States was
in 1887 and 1878, and Pittsburg received its
share. These later em1grants were, in the
main from Naples and Sicily.
TAXES AND EMIGRATION.
People by the thousands sold their little
farms in Italy because the taxes were heavier
than they could bear. So great was the
drain on the population that the Govern
ment OF that country in year or two con-
cluded to Tighten the burden and the imnli-
grafton of property holders was thus ar
rested. OF late years the Italians who come
to our shores are chiefly Of the poorer classes.
Property holders having found their Govern
ment less extortionate, are the more inclined
to stick to the old home, where their ancestors
took root in the long gone years In late
years Sicily contributes most to our Italian
population. The Genoese find it better in
the home land than to risk trying fortunes
in new and untried country.
Some facts of interest concerning our
present italian population were developed
in recent interview with one Of their Lead
ing representatives, which are here jotted
down.
To begin with, nearly all are Catholics.
A Protestant or infdel who springs from
Italia is exceptional A few months ago an
Italian priest was brought from New York,
and looks after the spiritual interests Of bis
countrymen here, holding regular service in
the basement of the Cathedral. There are
from 600 to 1000 in attendance upon his
ministry at 10 o'clock mass every Sunday
morning. The question Of q new canrch
has been taking shape, and COMMITTEES has
been appointed to look up suitable site.
The committee consists of ten, among whom
are Joseph Cuneo, Peter Montereide and
John B. Descalzi. There is already 50, 1000
in the hands of this committee to secure e
lot, and $50, 900 to S25, 900 will be forthcom-
ing when the location is secured. There has
also been lately organized an italian brass
band, composed of 26 young men, who meet
regularly in hall on Smithfeld street.
above Strawberry alley. This band has
succeeded in securing the instructions Of
Prof. Rocereto, who came from Naples to
accept the position, and whose reputation
places him at the front in his profession.
They expect soon to increase their class to
80, and frst-class italian music is an
assured fact ere many months shall have
rolled. An italian physician is expected
from around New York shortly to look alter
the bodily ailments of his countrymen here.
PROFESSIONS AND POLITICS.
Concerning the occupations Of our Italian
fellow citizens the following is gathered:
In Pittsburg and Allegheny there are close
to 200 engaged in selling tropical fruits,
nuts and candies. OF these there are thres
whose business is exclusively wholesale.
There are % to 30 Italians in the grocery
business in the two cities and some nine or
ten making shoes. One Italian hotel
and restaurant on Penn avenue and
Thirteenth street is their quota
in this line A few are workers IN
marble and granite, and have proved their
skill by good work on our public buildings
and cemetery memorials.
Until a few years back there was q disin-
clination on the part of the italian popula-
tion to become naturalized citizens. There
are now III tlC uClSuDOEuuOu VI 4oo luAA-
fedged American-Italian citizens in our two
cities, and 100 more will soon be added to
their number.
Instead of combining themselves to the
alleyways, as they did very few years ago,
they are now finding homes like other people
in different parts of the city on the main
Already they begin to mix
and mingle with other nationalities, and not
less than 25 to 80 Italians of the city have
found helpmeets who are Of other nations.
1t is plain from this necessarily condensed
statement that Italy is to be an Important
factor in the future development of our city.
Race prejudice has been the bane Of Amer
lea as Of other nations, and has been
mighty hindrance to the harmony and
progress OF our people in days gone BY.
While we welcome to our shores all nation-
alities, it will be well that we recognize the
great idea of human brotherhood, and seek
to harmonize and promote fraternal feelings
among the races that join together in build
Ing our Republic on solid foundations.
In the coming times, when the strength OF
our dear land will be tested. as surely it will
be, though the present generation may not
live to see it, doubt not that there viii be
those from Italy, as well as Britain and
Germany, who will not be wanting in the
days OF our country's need. YOUNG.
REARED ON LIMESTONE.