Mexico weekly ledger., 1891-03-26

any number of lawyers, one receiv-
ing $40, 900 for fee. 1t collected
$50, 600 in New Orleans by threat
ening Italians with the ill-will of
the Malta unless they contributed
to the defense fund. 1t had money
for jurors and witnesses. When
the case was we'll under way it was
discovered that the jury had been
tampered with. Half dozen men
OF the panel had been app, cached,
and bribes had been offered to
them. The Grand Jury issued
three indictments for jury bribery.
When the case came to trial the
testimony of the State was far
stronger than was expected. The
murderers had been seen and
identified in the very act of MUIR
der, and the entire conspiracy was
laid bare. The defense was ready
with the usual Sicilian evidence, ,.
providing alibis for all the MUIR
derers, but the Identification was
too strong for these, and what was
the surprise of the people when,
after being out short time, the
jury returned with a verdict &C.
quitting six of the assassins, and
mistrial as to the other three, by a
vote of to in favor of their ac-
quittal. The city had spent $685.
600 in this case, only to turn the
murderers loose. Again it has
been demonstrated that it is i'm
possible to convict an Italian of
crime in New Orleans, and that he
can commit murder with safety.
rhe indignation was SO intense that
it was feared that wild mob would
arise, in which innocent Italians
would be the victims. In this con-
dition of the pubic mind some
gentlemen who have the best inter-
ests of New Orleans at heart be-
came convinced that the only safe
ty for the future lay in executing
the assassins. The citizens COM
mittee had decided to abide by the
law, but the law had failed them.
Its very foundation head, had been
polluted, and the open bribery of
jurors and the hiring of witnesses
had made justice a mockery and
given murderers license to kill.
In order to prevent any mad out
burst of the populace it was resolv-
ed that the vindlcation of the law
should be placed in the hands of
men of moderation, courage and
coolness. Under their leadership
a party of citizens, the most
peaceable in the city, large proper
ty holders, men opposed to vio-
lence marched to the Parish Prison
and executed the eleven assassins.
No one doubts the guilt of the men
they executed. No one doubts
that they escaped justice by bribery
and perjury. No one doubts that
if they had escaped altogether un-
punished, as they would have done
but for the so-called mob, it would
have meant murders and assasslna-
tons, and not only that, but that
other criminals, learning how ver-
diets could be obtained by bribery
and perjury, would have resorted
to the same means.
After suffering from this for
thirty years, after seeing our entire
criminal judiciary system was like
ly to be a mockery and a danger,
the people of New Orleans took
the only remedy left for them and
executed the assassins. Not anoth-
er person was injured or insulted.
and SIcllians and Italians not con-
nected with the assassination of
Hennessy were as safe from the
mob as any other nationality. Not
a cents worth of property was des-
troyed. The whole affair only oc-
cupied forty-five minutes. eleven
assassins were executed, and les
son taught jury-bribers and per-
jurers that they will never forget.
(Signed A. CITIZEN.