The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-03-17
mo REGRETS" !"
The Leader of the Regulators and Mayor

The Leader of the Regulators and Mayor
Shakespeare Interviewed,
NEW YORK, March 16.-The Tribune
has from New Orleans an interesting
special interview with William $. Parker
son, the leader of the Regulators, and
others. Mr.. Parkerson said, in substance,
that he did not take the initiative in the
matter; that meeting was called, after ths
verdict WAS rendered, in the room of GER
tain citizen, ana that he (ParkersOn) was
made chairman. Again he was called upon
Saturday morning to act as spokesman az
the meeting. He felt that it was the most
terrible duty he had ever undertaken,
but it waa the opinion of himself and others
that the law had miScarred. When they
addressed the crowd at the square they said
they were prepared to do whatever the peo-
pie desired. The pOpulace shouted Come
on" As they walked along people came
from the side streets and fell into the pro-
CessiOn. Women were crying and men were
cheering. 1t was the most terrible thing he
ever saw-the quiet determination OF the
crowd They obeyrd him (Parkersou) im-
plicitly just as if he were military com-
mander.
GREAT EMERGENCY.
"Of course" said Parkerson, "it is not
courageous thing to attack man who is
not armed, but we looked upon these men
as so many reptiles Why, on Friday, after
the verdict, the Italian fruit and oyster
steamers along the wharves hOisted the
Sicilian flag over the stars and stripes, and
the prisoners themselves had a cham
payne supper" Mr. Patterson said he
did not regret the matter bit.
This was a greater emergency than
ever happened in New York, Cincinnati or
Chicago. While the Malta confined itself
to killing its own members we did not resort
to violence; but HenneSsy's killing struck
at the very root of American Institutions.
The intimidation Of the Malta and the cor
ruptlon of our juries was 10 be met only
with strong measures. Moreover, l recog-
Hize no power above the people,"
The Italian Consul (SignOr Corte) says the
trouble was originally between two factions
Of the Malta. He did not wish to faSten the
blame for Saturdays killing upon anybody,
but thought grave responsibility rests with
the Governor, Mayor and Sheriff. There
dre 10000 Italians in New Orleans, and
12,000 or $1,000 on plantations around it,
where they have replaced the negroes 1t is
uot tEue that theT are all scOundrels.
INDoRsED BY THE MAYOR.
Mayor Shakespeare makes no bones about
his feeling III the matter He declared
bluntly to Tribune correspondent that
ParkersOn and his associates did just right
He saw the citizens call in the morning
papers, and knew something was going to
happen. "Where were you during the riOt?"
Attending to MY private business" Did
you take any measures TO prevent the trag-
pdy?" No" Don't you regret 1t ?''
mo, sir" answered The Mayor beligerently,
Il am an American citizen, and l
am not afraid of tine devil These men de-
served hanging. We expected a Disagree
ment and had made arrangements for a re-
trial When / heard Of the verdict | was
frozen in my seat. These men were pun
ished by lawful means; the men who did it
were all peaceable and law-abiding. The Ital-
ians had taken the law into their own hands
and we had to do the same 1t was what
they did in Italy. The Mafia got too strong
for them, and what happened? The sOver-
eign took hold Of 1.-THE King Here
the sovereign also took hold Of it
the people I'll stand up for law
abiding Italians fast enough" added
this outspoken executive, but those
men out here-why they hoisted the Sclian
flag above the stars and stripes. and one fel-
low trampled the American flag under his
feet. This is the last time ] will fll politi-
cal Office. | want to lead Il quiet life. l am
a good American" added Mr.. Shakespeare
with emphasis a nd the interview ended.