The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-05-15
THE HIDEOUS MALTA.
Killed Ninety-Four Victims Be-
fore the People Rose.
ADDRESS OF COMMITTEE OF 80.
Acts OF the New Orleans Mob Justified
and Consul Corts Shown Up-Ru-
DIM Says It's Only . Trifie.

NEW ORLEANS, May 1.-THE grand jury was
called together today to act on the published
statements of Italian Consul Corte that he frus-
trated plot of Italians for vengeance on the
mayor and others. Corte was called before the
grand jury, but said he had been misinteTpreted
by the newspapers. There was strong feeling
against the Italians here, and he had simply
used his best efforts in the interest OF peace and
quiet
The committee of fifty made fits report to the
mayor tonight. 1t says in part
The first work of the committee was TO obtain
from the chief OF police report OF ninety iour
assassinations by Italians ana Siciliaps where
the accused escaped for want OF evidence. Then,
following the assassination of Hennessy, the re-
suit of the trial demonstrated to the people that
no one was safe from the mysterious band tnat
was operating regardless of the law. IL was
ton that the people rose in their might, took
the law into their own hands, and then followed
the event of March IA
The report then at length goes on TO show the
existence of the Malta, and tells of a visit
made TO the Italian consul to secure informa-
ton. He stated that he was ready to cooperate
with the committee and would prepare report
containing the information in his possession.
He was convinced of the existence OF the Malta,
and had strong suspicious as to who were the
leaders. He furnished the committee with these
names. He stated that prior to the Hennessy
assassination he had in some way in
CURED the displeasure of a coterie COM
posed principally Of the men who met
death at the parish prison. They invited him
to supper, and although he partook only OF
oyster soup, he was taken very i'll that night
with symptoms of poisoning, and was satisfied
that his life had been attempted. The written
information he promised, however, never came.
After some delay he notified the committee that,
it being an extra judicial body, he did not feel
warranted in giving information. During the
interview the committee called his attention to
the published statement in New York paper
to the effect that the mayor had appointed an
extraiudicial body, but its object was frustrated
owing to his (Corte's) earnest protests and the
Intervention of Mr.. Blaine. ave reminded
him." says the report, shat he and prominent
Italian citizens had called on the committee be-
lore the mass meeting last fall and approved
pacific course and asked him how he reconciled
his published statements made in the New York
Tribune He said they were made as an individ-
ual, not as consul, and that the reporter had
greatly exaggerated the statements"
The committee, in pointing out the remedies
of the existing trouble, suggests restriction of
immigration, reform in the criminal laws and
the administration of criminal justice, law
recognizing the existence of bar association
and endowing it with full power to try and dis
bar any attorney whose evil practices render him
unworthy of being an officer OF the court. "The
only radical remedy" says the report, (which
suggests itself to us is the entire prohibi-
ton of immigration from Sicily and
lower Italy. 1t was found necessary to prohibit
Chinese immigration and congress passed neces-
sary law. The danger to California from Chi
nese was no greater than the danger to this
state from Sicily and the south of Italy. They
are undesirable citizens, and there is no reason
why they should be permitted to participate in
the blessings of freedom and civilization, which
they are not only unable to appreciate, but
which they refuse to understand and accept"