Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1891-05-14
scATAlNc REPORT.

Sustains the Recent Lynching-The Hem
Messy Jury Bribed BY the Malta and the
Course of Justice Perverted.
New ORLEANS, May 6.-After six
weeks, investigation the grand jury
completed its labor in the Hennessy
case and the killing of the Italians at
the parish prison by presenting vol
luminous report virtually exonerating
the lynchers on the ground that it was
clearly in evidence that the Hennessy
jury had been bribed. Speaking of the
Malta the report has this to say:
The extended range OF our researches has
developed the existence of the secret organ
ization styled "Mafia" The evidence comes
from several sources, fully competent in
themselves to attest its truth, while the fact
is supported by the long record Of blood
curdlin2 crimes, it being almost impossible
to discover the perpetrators or secure wit
uesses. As IL to guard against exposure, the
dagger or stilettO is selected as the deadly
weapon to plunge into the breast or back of
the victim and silently do its fearful work.
Revenge was their motto. jealousy and
malice speedily found solace in these
methods, while the urning vengeance of the
vendetta sought satisfaction in the life blood
of an enemy. The officers OF the Malta and
many Of lis members are now known.
Among them are men born in this city of
Italian origin using their power for the
basest purposes, be it said to their eternal
disgrace.
The larger number Of the society is com.
posed of Italians and Sicilians, who left their
native land in most instances, under as
sumed names, to avoid conviction and pun
ishment for crimes there committed, and
others were escaped convicts and bandits,
outlawed in their own land, seeking the city
OF New Orleans for the cOngenial cOmpan-
ionship OF their own class. These men know
the swift retribution OF the law in Italy, for
hundreds have been shot down at sight by
the military in the mountains OF Sicily with
out second thought To- day there is record
fv1t k,en NJ oil fv, \,
city the names OF some ], 100 Italians and
eicilians landed here during several years
past, showing the Official record of their
sriminalty in Italy and Sicily Hundreds OF
them are among us to-day. We doubt not
the Italian governments would rather be rid
Of them than be charged with their custody
and punishment
Such il the well known character Of part
Of the Italian colony. as it 10 called, who are
domiciled In this city and vicinity. It can
not be questioned that secret organizations
whose teachings are hostile to the funda-
mental principles OF the government Of the
United States must be a continual menace to
the good order OF society and the material
welfare of the people Whether under the
name OF Mafia, Socialist, Nationalist. OK
whatever 1t may be, whether located In New
Orleans, Chicago or New York. the meetings
OF their members create and disseminate So
ditious opinions with a manifest tendency
toward overt acts whose commission par
takes OF the rankest treason.
The necessity for restrictions in inn
migration from Italy especially is point
ed out as follows:
We have stated in our remarks about the
Malta that several hundred Italian criminals
are in this city who should not have left
their native land without the Endorsement
OF the American consul as to character and
should not have been permitted to land
here. The time has passed when this cOun-
try can be made the dumping ground for the
worthless and depraved OF every nation.
The crisis is reached and on the magnitude
of the issue it becomes the duty OF the next
congress to quickly enact such vigorous
laws that complete protection be afforded
hencefOrth against these evils.
At the same time we shall plainly say
from our own experience that a large part
OF the Italian colony in this city. Is recog-
nlZed as worthless class. They do not in
dulge freely in the use of beer or alcoholic
drinks Fairly Industrious. those who re.
main in the city soon save up a few dollars
more by the strctest fl a ally than other
wise, and soon doing something for
their own benefit AS ii by common consent
the fruir and oyster business has drifted
into the hands of the Ital ans, the volume
of which are in wholesale and retail lines
could they wish? What more
could they ask? No other coun-
try this earth would extend to
any newcomers such privileges and what do
We ask in return? Simply that they, like
others of foreign birth, should conform to
existing laws by which their persons and
property are protected; to assimilate in
thought and deed with our people in de.
nouncing the wrong ana unfolding the
right; to rise above the fears and persua-
SONS of secret societies. helping to crush
their power: and above all else showing an
allegiance to the principles of the national
and state governments with doubtful
fidelity, realizing that the one hlg, as the
emblem OF freedom, is not less the index of
nations power, is the stars and stripes,
which must and shall be respected.
he
The u sassination OF the late chief of po-
lice showed me elimination of a conspiracy.
His death was deemed necessary TO prevent
the exposure and punishment of Grim nails
whose guilt was being fast established by
his dill gent pursuit. The condition of af-
fairs in this city toward certain class of
v.OlatOrs of the law hal reached such a stage
that the law itself WAS well nigh powerless
to deal with them SO far reaching was their
power and influence, in the trial Of criminal
cases. Good citizens were profoundly
impressed by the repeated and sig.
mai failures OF justice. The arts of the per-
jurer and briber seemed to dominate in the
courts, parayZ .ng and rendering powerleSs
the ends of justice. Certainly this was q
desperate situation.
In the public meeting above referred to-
general and spontaneous in character az
truly indicating an uprising of the masses
we doubt if any power at the command of
the author tiles would have been sufficient to
overcome its intensity. Evidence is before us
from official sources that eleven persons
were killed n the attack on the parish pris.
on In the careful examination as to the cit.
izenship of those men We find that eight OF
them were beyond question American citi-
ZenS, and another had declared his inten-
tion' in this court, which act carries with
1t the remuneration of allegiance to his ma
tive country.
1t is a noteworthy fact in connection with
the uprising that no injury whatever was
done to either person or property beyond
the one act which seemed to have been the
object of the assemblage at the parish prison.
We have referred to the large number OF
citizens participating in this demonstra.
ton, and estimates of judges at from 6 200 to
5000 regarded as spontaneous up
rising of the people The mag
ntude of this affair makes
it a difficult task fix the guilt upon any
number of participants-in fact the act
seemed to involve the entire people of the
par .sh and city of New Orleans. profuse
is their sympathy and extended their con-
nection with the affair In view of these con.
siderations the thorough examination OF the
subject has ftiled to disclose the necessa ~
facts to justify the grand jury in presenting
indictments.
Mangled BY Stallion.
MASON CITY, Ia, May 6.-John PEN
field, horse importer of Clarion, met
with fatal accident He was leading
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