The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1891-04-08
FROM OUR WASHINGTON COR
RESPONDENT.
A Review of the Situation of Our
Troubles With Italy.

that his correspondent feels the same in
terest in affairs pertaining to the com
munity where the letter is written as
does the writer.
The old Roman poet, Tersnee, pro-
fessed to be affected by whatever was
human. The average American cannot
plead guilty to such broad sympathies,
but should feel an abiding interest in
whatever affects America or Americans
In the fond hope that at least some of
your readers are interested in a question
more or less before the public for several
weeks, have / cast aside another letter,
and substitute this brief review OF the
situation thus far of our dispute with
Italy.
Intelligent people, like the readers of
the News, are acquainted with the facts
that have brought about the present un-
expected and uncalled-for diplomatic
snarl 1t will be remembered that on
the 18th of last October David G. Hen
Messy, the Chief of Police of New Or
leans, who had been very instrumental
in wedding out number of Italian Grim
inals from the slums of that city, was as
sassinated under circumstances leaving
little doubt that his death had been
planned by band of Italian citizens of
New Orleans The popular excitement
ran high, and when several Italians
were arrested and charged with the
crime threats of lynching were heard on
all sides. The law, however, was al
lowed to take its first courses, and after
three months OF preparation and plan
ming on the part of both sides the trial
came off. A jury of American citizens
was secured, and the trial, lasting three
weeks, came off. There were nine pris-
oners under accusation of conspiracy to
kill, and the evidence against majority
of them was very strong that there had
been certain amount of understanding
among them that Hennessey was to be
put out the way.
The verdict was shO TX to the entire
community, being verdict of acquital fol-
three of the men who were undoubtedly
connected with the death Of the chief
acuuittal of three whose guilt had not
been established and mistrial for the
three others. Immediately upon the
announcement OF the verdict the cry o.
bribery arose and gained such force thai
there was nothing that could stop it. The
jurors were regarded by the populace "a
being quite as bad as the Italians and a
once the threats of mob violence werC
heard. On tile 18th oil March, few
days after the delivery of the verdict, a
mob gathered at one OF the squares o
the city, 5000 or 1000 strong, including
some of the best-known citizens of New
Orleans, and after several speeches hac
been made by men OF standing in tn,
community, urging the mob to be quie
with what they insisted upon doing,
rush was made for the parish prison
where there was a slight resistance OIL
the part OF the officials and guards befor
the mob burst through the doors anC
into the cells When all was over clever
Italians had been lynched, including al
that had been on trial. The mob theI
quietly dispersed, and after that tn,
most peaceful quiet prevailed in thu
city.
1t was, and is believed, that there ex
lists in this country an organization
known as the Malta, and that the mur
der of Chief of Police Hennessey wa
committed at their behest, and that tn
corruption fund for bribing the jury wa
composed OF contributions from their OF
ganization throughout the country.
Almost Immediately after these tragi
events the Italian Consul at New Oh
leans telegraphed an account of the al
fair to Baron Fava, Italian Minister i
this city, who at once laid the matter be
fore Secretary Blaine, asking complet
investigation. The important questio
was, and is yet, in fact, whether or mo-
as is claimed, any of the men lynche
were Italian citizens. Upon consultl
ton with the President, Mr. Blaine in
mediately telegraphed Gov. Nichols
asking his hearty cooperation with tn
President in securing adequate protec
ton to Italian citizens, and bringing
justice all offenders against the Law
Gov Nichols reply, so long in coming
was but bare statement of facts, an
alluded to the affair thus; "The judg
has charged the grand jury, now in SCI
sion, in regard to it, and the whole sui
iect is, assume, under investigation"
A copy of this was sent TO the Italia
Minister, and by him furnished to Ia
government The Secretary further el
planned to Baron Fava that he could nj
undertake to interfere with the Stat
authorities in a matter under investigi
ton in the State and the equities
which had not been determined. TIL
failed to satisfy his government, and til
Minister was ordered to turn the affai
of the Legation over to his Secretary an
to return home.
In a note dated 'Royal Legation ,
Italy, March 81, 1884," the Minist,
uses the following language: "The rel
aration demanded by the governmeI
of the King, as have had the honor
inform you in our interviews held du
ing the last few days, were TO consist