The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-06-17
the MALA VITA SOCIETY,".
An Organized Band Of Assassins
Governed With a Rule
of Iron.
Robbery and Theft Are the Least
of Crimes Laid to
Them.
Punishment Inflicted for Violation OF Dis
cipline-The Oath of Membership
Recent Wholesale Convictions.

MILAN, June 15.-Apropos of the recent
wholesale conviction at Bari of members of
the Mala Vita society, charged with various
crimes, the Illustrazione Italiana, of this
city says: The Camorra of Naples and the
Malta of Sicily exists in Apulia (Adriatic
provinces of southern italy under the name
of Mala Vita (eyil life). 1t is an organized
band of assassins with iron rule. The OBJ
jeot is theft, robbery and assassination. 1t
has a council OF administration which di-
vides the profits of the Mala Vita society
from thefts, robberies, etc. Fifty yer cent
goes to the chiefs, % per cent to thoss who
execute their orders and % per cent to the
reserve fund. For eight years this society
has kept the southern Adriatic provinces of
Italy under a reign of terror. 1t was only
discovered in 1889, after long and danger
Gus researches, and only q year afterward
were the authorities able to lay hands on a
portion of it's members and associates.
Although 179 members of the society have
been brought to trial by the 20 art of assizes
at Bari, the authorities have not been able
to secure the chief ones among the guilty,
and it is probable they will never be caught.
Applicants for membership must apply
through u member to the chiefs. Members
are divided into three c~lasses-novicas, full
members and chiefs, who are called uncle.
The head chief is called "Wise Mastcr.n
The candidate is initiated with great TO-
mality, according to an established ritual,
and is obliged to take the following oath,
with one foot in a tomb and the other in
chains: 81 swear to abandon father, moth
er, children and relatives, to make wa
against infamy and to guarantee humility
lnfamy is understood TO be hunger, and
humility the weak. The cardinal princi-
pie of tho society is that the rich should
MAINTAIN the poor. He who Possesses
nothing has tho right to live at the expense
of him who has, il the foundation upon
which the Whole rdifco ia built.
Members Of the suc!etg are subjected to
severe discipline. Dlsobedience to orders
Is punished by the chief. If light, with
razor gasheS upon the face; if grave. with
death. FOR every revelation or bet avail
and for every testimony against a member.
the punishment 10 death. Those who exc
cute the sentence are selected by lot, and
when designated, are themselves put To
death if they do net kill the member ind
Gated. Furthermore, whatever the members
gain IN play, a certain amount must be
given to the society.
Among the members arrested at Bari
many are tattooed with emblems peculiar
to the society. The existence of tina socie.y
was discovered by the Chevalier G%astnnu
Redavid. the well-known Masonic chief At
Bari, who, in 1884. obtained secret inforIna
ton of the society and wrote about it II
his newspaper, Marte!lo, for the purpose OF
attracting the attention OF the authorities
His efforts were successful, and b,
was ablc to ascertain all TIT
particulars referred to in thiss article. In,
mediately after his discovery one of tn
members who WAS suspected OF divulginl
the secrets was condemned to death by til