The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-01-08

! OF the Spanish occupancy These mobiles
did not permit their serfs TO settle here and
there upon their great landed estates, but
they gathered them around the castles, and
man, Of them were compelled to walk miles
to the fields they titled. This practice has
been continued to this day.
sicily Is almost unique In the respect that
whilo the pursuits OF its people are largely
agricultural. it's population is almost wholly
urban. The most Of Sicily's 8, 9OO.O 900 inhab-
itants live in the towns and cities. Weshall
see the hearing Of this fact upon the present
tumult in the island.
II the farmers dwet on their little hold
ings, they would partly escape the oneTous
impost known as the octroi, which is at the
bottom OF the trouble. While they draw
their living from the soil. they are taxed.
not to support tho simple machinery Of
town or rural governments. but are
burdened with most OF the support OF the
municipalities IN which thoy live; and to
maintain these local governments form OF
taxation Ia imposed. which Is forbidden in
this country by tho Constitution under
which we live. No State or community In
our land has tho power TO levy export or
import taxes. 1t is very different In Sicily.
where scores OF municipalities. big and
little, arc supported by the octroi. or tax
imposed upon all sorts OF commodities
brought within their gates.
1t is not strange that this tax has been
growing in unpopulsrlty, especially among
the agricultural class. Tho wheat and
beans the farmer has raised and harvested
as food for his own family; the grapes. wine.
and olives he wishes them to enjoy the
fax his wife may spin. all are the lmmcdi-
ate fruit of his toll; but he must pay tax
on all. and high tax at that. before he
may carry them under his roof; and then
he asserts. and all tho artisans shy too. that
the octroi is most corruptly administered;
that tho rich bride the tax collectors and
enjoy luxuries almost tax free. while the
burden overweghts the shoulders OF the
poor. The octroi has. OF lato years. become
heavier load than ever. and. added TO the
Increasing burden OF national taxation. it
Is not very surprising that many com
munity Of these excitable Sicilians. chiefly
peasants though they live in towns, has
risen In revolt. We cannot say how far tho
Socialists and the secret societies have used
the long-prevaiing discomfort to foment
these troubles. But the people themselves
assert that they havo revolted. not against
the general Government, but only against
the tyranny OF municipal oppression.
In the fury OF the popular uprising some
terrible outrages have been committed. for
innocent men and women have been most
cruelty put to death. We may see in these
events also the influence Of tho past history
OF these islanders. Men from Europe,
Asia. aud Africa met and toicd, builded and
battled on these coasts. and tho mixed
breeds to whom they left the island. modi-
fed as they now are by infusion from the
neighboring mainland and other sources.
arc no moro Italians than the history of
Italy is that OF Sicily. In blood and char
acteristics they are chiefly Italian. show
ing clements besides that are plainly the
legacy OF a wild and stormy past and that
are impressed not only upon their actions
but also upon their peculiar dialect, which.
though Latin. Enthusiastically shows the in
flupnce OF Semitic as well rs Aryan speech.
We may partly trace also to Bourbon mis-
government the fact that SicilIan mob. of
oil mobs, Is ono Of the widest and the most
easily swayed by demagogues. Thirty
years ago nine-tenths Of the people were OK
tremely ignorant and half Of them still are
unable tvread or write.
The Government at Rome admits that
the Slcilians have genuine grievances. and
promise that they shall DO rectined. On the
whole. the union with Italy has been a
great blessing to Sicily. Illteracy has
been greatly reduced. tho people enjoy
more comforts, and even a few good high
ways as we'll as railroads now lead
through the valleys and over the hills. We
are too prone to derive unfavorable i'm
pressions Of people from the evil repute OF
their worst elements. The Sicilians. as a
whole. are industrious and fairly orderly
and law-abiding. but they have been I'M
Justly estimated by many who think OF
their island chiefly as the abiding place OF
the Malta and the home OF robber bands
haunting the southwestern regions. The
fact Is that. In recent years, tho Gov
eminent has been making Roadway against
brigandage and other unlawful practices.
Sicily has been called by travellers an ugly
island containing some spots OF exquisite
beauty and many objects and places OF
archaeological and historical interest. What
ever Its power to attract the traveller, II Is
certain the island has been fitted by nature
to be the home OF n numerous and prosper
Gus people. For years Sicily has been grow
ing in population faster than any other
part OF Italy. With l2s people to the square
kilometre. there are only three OF the COM
pariimeni OF Italy that surpass her. rugged
as she is. in density of population. II. for
time. the progress OF Sicily is to be stayed.
1t is not the fault OF her people. but Of
crimes OF administration is high places and
low that have already involved many men
OF the public service Of Italy in scandal.
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