Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1891-05-15
BAR OUT SICILIANS.
REPORT ON BANDS OF OATH
BOUND ASSASSINS.
Remedy to be Found in Stringent Immi-
grafton Regulations and Reform
in the Criminal Laws.

New ORLEANS, LA, May i4.-On the 18th
of October last under resolution Of the
city council the mayor appointed COM
lnittee OF fifty or more citizens to thor
oughly investigate the matter of the ex-
istence of secret societies or bands
openly charged have life in our
midst and have eliminated in the assaSsiua-
tiun of the highest executive officer Of the
police department, and to devise the
necessary means and the most
efectual and speedy measures for
the uprooting and total annihila-
ton of such assassins and 10
suggest needful remedies 10 prevent the
introduction here of criminals or pauperS
from Europe. The first work Of the COM
mittee was to obtain from the chief of
police report OF uinrty-four asSassina-
tons by Italians and Sicilians, but where
tine accused escaped for want of evidence
The report goes on to show the ey-
istence of the Mafia, which for years
ton OF this city, leyying tribute at
pleasure under penalty of death if refused.
4 subcommittee called upon the Italian
consul and assured him that the purpose Of
that body was TO legally rid the community
of criminals, and give greater security 70
life and property OF all its citizens OF what
Soever nationality. The consul stated that
cooperate with US to this end and would
immediately prepare and send Us
report containing all the in
formation in his possession He
stated that he was convinced of the eX-
istence of the Malta in this city and brought
out the registration papers of Bagnetto and
pulled out the imprint of seal, which he
informed Us was the seal of the Malta He
said he had strong suspicious, which
amounted to conviction in his mind, as
10 who We're the leaders of the So
ciety in this city, and he furnished
the committee with names. He stated that
prior TO the Hennessey assassination he had
in some way unconsciously incurred the
displeasure Of the cOterie, composed prin-
cipally of the men who met their death at
the parish prison on March "A, that they
had invited him TO supper, and
although ne partook sparingly of oyster
soup. when he returned home he was taken
desperately i'll. suffered intensely all night,
and his symptoms showed evidence OF
poisoning. He was satisfied his life had
been attempted. The written information
promised your committee never came The
consul sent word first that he had tele-
graphed to Washington for authority
TO give it TO US and afterwards no
titled the committee that it being
an extra judicial body he did not feel war
ranted in giving up the information.
III TIC icsOiutIOh Vi bUlS
committee was requested TO suggest need
full remedies. 1t only remains for us, there
fore, TO point out a remedy, il possible In
our opinion the remedy is:
I. The regulation Of immigration.
.. Reforming criminal laws and the ad-
ministration Of criminal justice.
3. \ law recognizing the existence Of q
bar association and endowing ii with full
power 10 try and disbar any attorney whose
evil practices render him unworthy of be-
ing an officer of court.
The only radical remedy which suggests
itself is the entire prohibition Of immigra-
ton from Sicily and lower Italy. It was
found necessary TO prohibit Chinese i'm
migration and congress passed the neces-
sary laws. The danger TO California
from the Chinese was no greater
than the danger TO this state from
Sicilians and Southern Italians We have
had long experience with these people, and
that experience has been sad one They
are undesirable citizens. and there is no
reason why they should be permitted 10
participate IN the blessings of freedom and
civilization which they are not only
unable to appreciate, but which they
refuse 10 understand or to accept.
The committee in conclusion, submits
suggestions regarding the jury system and
advise that the legislature be petitioned to
amend the criminal laws to meet the re-
uuirements pointed out