The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1891-05-13
NOW ROME WILL HOWL.
COLD COMFORT IN THE GRAND
JURY'S REPORT.
Detective O'MaIey AMI Other -
ators Indicted for ObstructiDg tao .rcl
of Justice, and the Leaders of the
Avengers Unmolested.


After six weeks investigation the New
Orleans Grand Jury completed its labors
in the Hennessy case and the killing OF
Italians at the parish prison by present.
! ing their special report.
The report first recalls the murder OF
| Chief Hennessy and the trial of the ac-
cused Italians.
After reviewing the evidence concern
ing the corrupting of part Of the Jurors,
! the report says:
Taking into account the volume OF testi-
mony admitted by the numerous witnesses
before this Grand Jury, and considering
that evidence not only in the abstract re-
lation TO each party but in its aggregate
| and collective bearing, we are force 10 the
| conclusion that Dominick O'Malley is
chargeable with knowledge of and.parti-
patton in most, If not all, of the unlawful
acts in connection with that celebrated
case. With his skill. as acquired by years
| OF experience, the most cunningly devised
| schemes were planned and executed for de-
feating the Legitimate course Of justice.
the chief aim and object being TO place un-
worthy men upon the jury in the trial OF
the nine accused. Without his assiduous
and corruptng influence we believe the
| verdict would have been radically differ
ent. and as natural consequence the
| tragic occurrences OF the 14th OF March last
never would have bcen recorded.
Indictments of O'Maley and five others
follow, and the report says:
| The indictment OF ID q. OMalley for per-
| jury was based upon most undoubted evil
| dence that he came originally from Cleve-
| land, o., where Jan. 30, 1875. he was con-
victed OF petty larceny and comitted to tho
workhouse OF the city OF Cleveland, where
| he served a term expiring June %, 1873. He
| next appears under indictment for perjury
! In the United States Circuit Court at New
Orleans. where an indictment was based
| the
| which O'Malley afterward contradcted
under oath, but he managed TO secure
acquittal, owing TO the timely disappear
| ance OF the affidavit, which he alone was
! interested In having suppressed. Later he
was committed to the parish prison for at
| tempting TO levy blackmail upon one George
| w. Randolph in the proceedings against
| Randolph for Introduction.
The following record is verified by Off
| Gals, showing his numerous offenses before
| the Criminal Court of this parish
NO. 10,4SS, July 3, 1884. Indicted for
| attempting to prevent witnesses from APP
pearing and testifying. Nolle prosecuted.
mo. 4,S3S, May o. 1884. Indicted for
threatening and intimidating witnesses.
| Acquitted May 20, 1854.
mo. 2,2G2, June 3, 1870. Pleaded guilty
TO carrying concealed weapons and sem
| fenced.
NO. 1870, Nov. D. 1882 Convicted of
assault and sentenced.
5-No. $50, April IA. 1881. Pleaded guilty
| to carrying concealed weapon and SEN
| fenced.
6-No. 3,67s, Jan. 3, 1883 Pleaded guilty
| to carrying concealed weapon and SEN
| fenced.
NO, 5,1s6 Pleaded guilty TO carrying
a concealed weapon and sentenced
S-No. 7,242 Dec. 4, 1885. Convicted Of
carrying concealed weapon and sentenced.
9-No. 7,241. May %, 1885. Indicted for
assault and battery.
So DerniciOus to the ad m in StratiOn OF ms
| tice were his doings and methods found that
while Judge Roman presided in the Crimi-
nal Court he ordered that 0Malley be eX-
cluded from the courtroom. This was
during the time his pre- sent associate, Lionel
Adams, was District Attorney, and IL is a
significant fact that the two indictments
againt O'Malley for tampCring with wit
nesses were not brought TO trial but were
nolle pressed by the District Attorney just
prior TO the expiration OF his term.
Then comes an exhaustive account OF
the secret society known as the "Mafia,"
exposing its iniquities and detailing its
crimes 1t is charged that part, if not
all, OF the slain Italians were in this
| country in violation of the immigration
laws. Referring to the wholesale lynch
ing the Grand Jury says:
The assassination of the late Chief OF Po-
| lice shows the elimination OF a conspiracy.
His death was deemed necessary to prevent
inc cApOSurc anu punishment Oh criminals
whose guilt was being fast established by
his dlligent pursuit. The condition Of af-
fairs In this community as to "a certain
class OF violators of the law had reached
such a state that the law itself was well
nigh powcrless 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 signal failures OF justice. The arts of
the perjurer seemed 10 dominate in the
courts, paralyZing and rendering powerless
the ends OF justice. Certainly this was a
desperate situation.
In the public meeting above referred to
general and spontaneous in character az
truly indicating an uprising OF the masses
we doubt IL any power at the command OF
the authorities would have been sufficient
TO overcome its intentions Evidence is
before us from official sources that eleven
persons were killed in the attack on the
parish prison. In the careful examination
Us To citizenship OF those men we find that
eight of them were beyond question Ameri
can citizens, and another had "declared his
intention" i'm this court, which act carries
with IL the reconciliation OF Allegiance to his
native country.
1t is noteworthy fact In connection with
the uprising that injury whatever was
done TO either person or property beyond
the act which seemed to have been the OBJ
ject of the assemblage mt the parish prison.
We have referred TO the large number OF
citizens participating In the demonstration.
estimated by judges ut from 5000 TO 5000,
and regarded as spontane uprising of
the people. The magnitude OF this affair
makes IL difficult task to fix the guilt up
on any number OF the participants-in fact &
the act seemed to involve the entire people
OF the parish and city OF New Orleans,
profuse was their sympathy and extended
their connection with the affair.
In view of these considerations, the
thorough examination OF the subject has
failed TO disclose the necessary facts TO
Justify this Grand Jury In presenting in
dictments. Respectfully submitted.
George III. Vennard. ;. X. Graham, w. L.
Saxon, Z. J. Christian, w. H. Chaffee, Fore
man; O. Carrierc. G.. A. Hoos TT. Jr.; G. G.
La Faye. Emile f. Hairy. II. Halter, David
stuart, +. Gauche. T. w. Castleman. John
jackson, A. 5. Ranlett, w. b. Leonard. =