The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1896-02-08
President Sends a Message Re-
garding Families of Italians.
FOR The COLORADO AFFAIR
Documents Submitted to show That
Congress, in Fairness, Should
Take Prompt Action.

Washington, Feb. S.-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, 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 1 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:
l, l.. a..
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
it can hardly be necessary to cite the
statutes of many states Of the Union
fixing 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 13, 1895. the day
following the lynching, called it to the
attention of the state department on the
basis of newspaper accounts. Immedi-
ate action was taken by Acting Score
tary Uhl to ascertain the facts, and this
was 80 satisfactory to Baron Fava that
he repeatedly expressed his belief that
the federal government would not hes
itate to do all that could be done to
bring the guilty parties to justice. Let
ters and kilograms from Governor Nc
Intyre to Secretary Gresham and Mr.
Uhl showed they were in entire SYM
pathy with the endeavors of the federal
government to give satisfaction to Italy
in 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
of the victims. Governor Mcintyre and
the italian consul agreed that of the
Italians lynched one, Lorenzo Andino,
was not naturalized, and the other two,
Vittone Stanislao and Vincenzo Ron
chentto. had simply secured their first
naturalization papers and were there
fore not full citizens of the United
States.
The correspondence relating to the
of the Italians is voluminous
and extended up to October, 1895. On
the 18th of that month Baron Fava, in
a note to Secretary Olney, suggests that
the amount which may be deemed suit
able to indemnify the families of the
victims he would 'leave to your high
and benevolent appreciation. according
to the spirit of justice which prompts
all Of your actions
This suggestion was made by Olney
to Governor Mcintyre, who replied that
no indemnity appropriation had been
made by the Colorado legislature and
suggesting that if any liability attach
ed 1t should be TO the county and
through suit brought by the injured
dependent relatives.