The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-05-13

sympathy, or even closer Dond OF fellowship
existing between these two men, il must he
dispelled by the above recital as showing the
first thought AMI effort for Seligman when
O'Malley realized the danger expressed in the
laundering tones of popular indignation.
The extended range Of our researches has de-
veloped the existence OF the secret organization
styled 'Mafia." The evidence comes from
several sources, fully competent in themselves
to attest its truth. while the fact is supported
by the long record of blood curdling crimes, it
being almost impossible to discover the perpe-
traitors or secure witnesses. As il 10 guard
against exposure the dagger stiletto is Sc
lected as the deadly weapon to plunge into the
breast or back Of the victim and silently do its
fearful work. Revenge was their motto.
Jealousy and malice speedily found solace in
these methods, while the burning vengence of
the vendetta sought satisfaction in the life
blood of enemy.
The officers of the Malta and many of its
members are now known Among them are
men born in this city, OF Italian origin, using
their power for the basest purposes, be it said
to their eternal disgracs. The larger number
OF the society is composed Of Italians and Sici-
lians who left their native land, in most in.
stances, under assumed names to avoid convic-
ton and punishment for crimes there COM
mitted; and others were escaped convicts and
bandits. outlawed i'm their own land seeking
the city of New Orleans for the congenial COM
panionship of their own class. These men
knew the swift retribution of the law in Italy,
for hundreds have been shot down at sight by
the military IN mountains of Sicily with
out a second thought. Today there is
recorded in the Office Of the
Italian consul in this city the names of some
LOO Italians and Siciliaus landed here during
several years past, showing the official record
of their criminality in Italy and Sicily.i kHun-
dreds of them are among US today. We doubt
not the Italian government would rather be
rid OF them than be charged with their custody
and punishment Such is the well-known
character of u part of the Italian colony as it
is called, who are domiciled in this city and
vicinity. liz cannot be questioned that secret
organizations. whose teachings are hostile to
the fundamental principles of the government
OF the United States. must be a continual men.
to the good order OF society and the ma
terial welfare of the people. Whether under
the name of Maia, socialist nationalist, or
whatever it may be. whether local in New
Orleans. Chicago or New York, the meetings
of their members create and disseminate sedi-
tiOus opinions with manifest tendency 10.
ward overt acts whose commission partakes of
the rsnkest treason.
We may say that many societies created and
chartered for the laudable purpose of exercis-
ing healthful influence in the various de-
partments of the body polite enjoy a hearty
appreciation and are productive OF good re
suits. But in marked contrast to all those is
the Malta. who every thought and act is in OPP
position TO law ana order as contemplated by
defiance OF the statutes of this state and
nation and the cher shed traditions of our
people. Law is truly regarded as the
embodiment OF wisdom OF all ages
and its just execution the safeguard of soci-
ETY. by the punishment OF transgressOrs; its
just execution expresses the will OF the people
IN condemnation of crime, but where this lofty
principle is condemned by the practice of as
sHsslnatiOn for revenge or spite, aud conceal
ment under the most binding oaths, renders
III. a.,
chief actors and secure Witnesses 1t becomes
the duty OF the people 10 the exercise OF their
sovereign rights TO issue their decree of con-
demnatiOn. That verdict has been rendered.
the power of the Malta is broken-it must he
destroyed as On element of danger, creation
of leprOus growth in this community.
Taking into account the mass of evidence
presented, which Is only partially summarized
in the foregoing, it becomes our painful duty
to make declaration most severe in its
Election upon the action of some OF the jury
men. We IRE so deeply impressedwith the
facts Of the case that the moral conviction is
forced upon that some of the jurors pan
eled to try the accused on tle charge of assas-
sinatiOn OF the late chief of pol o. were subject
to money influence to control their decision.
Further than this, may say 1t appears GER
tain that at least three. if not more, of
that jury were so unduly and unlawiully
controlled. Some of the jurors themselves
have testified in most emphatic terms that If it
had not been for the persistent and WELL
directed efforts of three OF the iurymen most
conspicuous IRON the time that body was i'm
paneled, that the verdict would have been
materially different from that rendered. This
is sod and terrible commentary from their
associates on the jury as against those whose
every action was intended to make them the
controlling power. 1t is certain that the special
effort Of counsel for defense was to select for
service on that jury such men were of the
acquaintance and well under the influence Of
OMalley and his assistants, notably those tales
men who were on the detective agency's list.
What eau be thought when three of the
jurors were accepted with only some unimpor-
tant question, or the clerk was told to swear
them" without question: this is II proceeding
almost unheard OF in trials for capital oaenses,
but it has its meaning well the other in
stances have their significance. One of the
jurors, young In years, was by his own state
meat. so susceptible to the influence of dream
that he changed his MUD between night and
morning. Others of the jury plainly stated
their age and inexperience did not qualify
them to assume the responsibilities of jury
men in that case. 1mpatience prevailed to-
wards the close and it is thought by several of
the jurors TO have fastened the conclusion.
Surely a remarkable jury, but fully competent
to render the remarkable verdict Ii has gone
10 the people whose intelligence and virtue en-
able them TO discern between truth and false
hood, to decide between right and wrong.
No question is more Intimately connected
with the subject matter OF this report than d at
OF immigration. Ii deeply interests the people
of our whole country by reason of the good re-
suits following the landing on our shores OF
large numbers of meritOrious and law-abiding
foreigners or the damage attendant upon the
introduction of a vicious or indolent class who
leave their native country for that eountry's
good, seeking an asylum here, soon again TO
follow in their footsteps OF the past We know
that this question more deeply concerns the
city of New Orleans than it does any city on
the Atlantic sesboard Its great importance is
forcibly expressed in the columns OF the pub
lie press, till there seems to be an awakening
to the danger that threatens the situation
and the necessity for radical reformation.
That past Immig grafton laws were sadly deficient
or badly administered is indicated by recent
legislation of the national congress and even
these new regulations will not be effective I'M
less strictly enforced by the proper officials
charged with such duties. That is the inten-
ton at present aud for the future, yet by some
design or other the details of the law may be
evaded. For instance so high an authority us
the Italian consul, this city. in his sworn state
ment before the grand jury charges that nine
Italians were recently landed from the steam.
ship Entella whose names were not on the
passenger list. This point has not been re-
ferred by him to the Italian government aud is
being investigated the steamer 4aiag due at
Palermo about this time. The consul claims that
941 persons were landed, while the passenger
register showed 932 names. II il is finally
shown that these nine Italians were so landed,
in violation of the laws of both nations, they
should be returned whence they came and the