Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1896-02-08
President Sends a Message Re-
garding Families Of Italians
FOB THE COLORADO AFFAIR
Documents Submitted to show That
Congress, in Fairness, Should
lake Prompt Action.

Washington. Feb. 3.-President Cleve-
land today sent congress the following
message:
"In my last annual message allusion
was made to the lawless killing of GER
tain Italian labOrers in the state OF
Colorado, and it was added that the de-
pendent families of some unfortunate
victims invite by their deplOrable con-
dition gracious provisions for their
needs. 1t now appears that in addi-
ton to three of those labOrers who were
riotously killed, two others, who es-
capped death by flight, incurred pitiable
disabilities through exposure and pri-
walton. Without discussing the ques-
ton of liability Of the United States for
these results, either by reason of treaty
obligations under the general rules of
international law, l venture to urge up
on congress the propriety of making
from the public treasury prompt and
reasonable pecuniary provision for
those injured and the families of those
who were killed. To aid in cOnsidera-
ton of the subject l append hereto the
report of the secretary of state, &C
companied by certain correspondence,
which quite fully presents all the feat
ures of the several cases.
GROVER CLEVELAND.
Executive Mansion Feb. g."
The report of Secretary Olney, re-
ferred to by the president, is as fol-
lows
'"The President: I hand you herewith
the copies of correspondence on file in
this department relating to the case Of
the Italians lynched at Walsenberg,
Col, in March, 1895. The facts are
without dispute, and no comment or ar
gument can add to the force Of their
appeal to the generous consideration
of congress. Three Italians were killed
outright, while two others sustained
injuries of a character disabling and
painful.
THE only question would seem to be
as to the amount of gratuity in each
case, which must rest, of course, Who'll
ly in the discretion Of congress, to whom
1t can hardly be necessary to cite the
statutes Of many states Of the Union
liking the minimum to be exacted in
case of death caused by negligence at
the sum Of $4,000. Respectfully yours,
"RICHARD OLNEY.
The accompanying correspondence
consists of letters exchanged between
Baron FaVa, the department of state
and Governor Mcintyre of Colorado.
baron Fava, on March IS, 1895, the day
following the lynching, called it to the
attention of the state department on the
oasis of newspaper accounts. Immedi-
ate action was taken by Acting Secre-
tary Uhl to ascertain the facts, and this
was so satisfactory to Baron Fava that
ne repeatedly expressed his belief that
the federal government would not hes
ltate to do all that could be done to
orlng the guilty parties to justice. Let
ters and kilograms from Governor Nc
1ntyre to Secretary Gresham and Mr..
Uni showed they were in entire sym
pathy with the endeavors Of the federal
government to give satisfaction to Italy
III the matter.
Under instructions from Baron Fava,
the Italian consul at Denver made an
investigation Of facts attending the
lynching and also the political status
vi the victims. Governor Mcintyre and
the Italian consul agreed that of the
AlaHans lynched, one, Lorenzo Andino,
was not naturalized, and the other two,
Vlttone Stanislao and Vincenzo Ron
5000 SIMPLY SeCuIGu lu6lI HISl
naturalization papers and were there
lore not full citizens of the United
States.
Inc correspondence relating to the
CITIZENSHIP of the Italians is yoluminous
and extended up to October. 1895. On
the 18th Of that month Baron Fava, in
49, Iole 10 secretary Olney, suggests that
amount which may be deemed suit
nil
''''iins he would leave to your high