Los Angeles herald., 1891-03-17
THE MAFIA'S DEATH.
The New Orleans Vigilantes
Proud of Their Work.
Mr.. ParkersOn's Frank State
ment of the Affair.
Mayor Shakespeare's Blunt Ex-
preston of Sentiments.
The Italians Do Not All Con-
denim the Massacre.
Many Of the Better Glasses Justify
the Uprising.
Arrests of the Lynchers Not Likely to
Hsppen-The State of Louisiana
Mayor Shakespeare's Blunt Ex-
preston Of Sentiments.
The Italians Do Not All Con-
denim the Massacre.
Many Of the Better Glasses Justify
the Uprising.
Arrests of the Lynchers Not Likely to
Happen-The State of Louisiana
and Not the Nation Liable
for Damages.
Associated Press Dispatches.

New York, March 16.-The Tribune
has from New Orleans inter-
'esting special interviews with Will
lam S. Parkerson, the leader OF the
regulators, and others. Mr.. Parkerson
says, in substance, that he did not take
the initiative in the matter; that a
meeting was called after the verdict was
rendered, in the room OF certain citi-
zen, and that he (Parkerson) was made
chairman. Again he was called upon
Saturday morning to act as spokesman
at the meeting. He felt that it was the
most terrible duty he had ever under
taken; but it was the opinion of himself
and others that the law had miscarried.
When they addressed the crowd at the
square they said they were
prepared to do whatever the peo-
pie desired: The people shouted
Come on" AS they walked along
people came from side streets and fell
into the procession. Women were cry
ing and men cheering. 1t was the most
terrible thing he ever saw--the quiet
determination of the crowd. They
obeyed him (Parkerson) implicitly, Just
as II he were military leader or com
mander.
"Of course" said Parkerson, cit is not
a courageous thing to attack man who
is not armed, but we looked upon these
men as SO many reptiles. On Friday,
after the verdict, the Italian fruit, and
hoisted the Sicilian flag over the stars
and stripes, and the prisoners themselves
had champagne supper"
Mr.. Parkerson 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 it's
own members we did not resort to vio-
lence, but Hennessy's killing struck at
the very root Of an American institu-
ton. The intimidation of the Malta,
and the corruption of our juries was to
be met only with strong measures.
Moreover, l recognize 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 kill
ing upon anybody, but thought grave
responsibility rests with the governor,
the mayor and the sheriff. There are
10000 Italians in New Orleans and twelve
or fifteen thousand on the plantations
around it, where they have replaced the
negroes. 1t is not true they are all
scoundrels.
Mayor Shakespeare "makes no bones"
about his feeling in the matter. He
declared bluntly to the Tribune corre-
spondent that Parkerson and his asso-
ciates did just right. He saw the citi-
zens' call in the morning, and knew
something was going to happen.
"Where were you during the riot?"
Attending to my private business"
did you take any measure to prevent
the sNn STagedyf' 3
''Don't you regret it?,
No, sir" answered the mayor bellig-
erently, II am an American citizen, and
I am not afraid of the devil. These men
deserved hanging. We expected dis
agreement, and had made arrangements
for retrial. When heard the verdict
j was frozen in my scat. These men
were punished by lawful means. The
men who did it were all peaceable and
law-abiding. The Italians had taken
the law into their own hands, and we
had to do the same. 1t was what they
did in Italy. The Malta got too strong
for them, and what happened? The
sovereign took hold Of 1.-THE king. Here
the sovereign also took hold ofit-the
people,"
s.I'll stand up for the law-abiding
Italians fast enough" added this out
spoken executive, ''but those men out
here-why they hoist the Sicihan flag
above the stars and stripes, and one
fellow trampled the American flag
under foot.
This is the last time l Will fill a
political office. want to lead a quiet
life.
II am good American," added Mr..
Shakespeare, with emphasis, and the
interview ended.
OIrTfEn nowN