New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-01-02
THE "EVIL EYE" IN POLITICS
AN OLD WORLD BELIEF THAT IS STILL
INFLUENTIAL IN LEGISLATURES
THE VAMPIRE AND THE
Wy-pI,- tVDI +
WERE WOLF.

WEREWOLF.
Although much has been written in this coun-
try about the "cvil eye" and other analogous
suporstitons Of the Ola world. yet few people
have auy idea here Of the extent 70 which thes,
beliefs in the supernatural play part III the
poljtical and administrative affairs OF Europe
An impression prevails that it is only nervous
women, young children ana fccble-mindc' men
whose intelligence has been warped by religious
extravaganza who are at all influenced by Will
sober-mindc1 Americans would be tempted 70
style mere fairy tales. But this is not the case
and it is precisely among the self-styicd Tree
thinkers and atheists that are to be found those
mos, prone TO defer to the requirements ana de-
mands Of this or that popular belief
Incredible though it may appear 20 the readers
IF The Tribune the recent Cabinet crisis at
Rome. which perturbed the whole of Europe
sending down the funds several points on inc
Stock Exchange Of every capital In Europe, was
entirely due to the belief OH the part OF the ma
jority of the national legislature in Inc pos
session Of the evil eye by one Of their members
n Depu,y of the name Of the Marquis Maurigl
who represents Cascrta. al Monte Citerio. IL Is
necessary to insist upon this. since on no other
account is il possible to explain the recent up
set Of the Ministerial app.e-cart in the h'crha
CITY. The Marquis proposed certain minor
changes in the present system Of military pro-
motions SO frightened were his fellow Dep
ut!es If mourning his displeasurc or, to speak
more correctly. the blneful effects of his cVll
eye, that the vast majority Of them. fo'gctfu
Of their obligations - the Cabinet, voted III
favor Of his motion. ana against the Minister
Of war, who in consequence thereof resigned
and refused to continue in office on the ground
that he had no desire 20 incur the disastrous
effects of falling foul Of "je:tatore.'
Lest ! should be charged with romancinE by
those who hesitate to believe that the destinies
Ct ono Of the great Powers Of Europe can be
swayed by what people in the United States
would regard as a childish superstition, would
merely draw attention to the speech delivered
in the Chamber of Deputies Immediately after
the announcement Of the resignation OF the Min
lister of War by the Radical Deputy Antonio al
Iaurenzana. He had occasion to address the
house in connection with piece or dospOllsm
Of which the prefect Of Caserta. the constituency
represented in Parliament by the jettatore MAI
rigi had rendered himself guilty. Il had hoped
exclaimed Laurcnzana that the malignant IN
nuence derived from supernatural sources by
MARQUIS Maurigi might have served 10 nuli'i!
the essentially human and terrestrial malignant
influence Of his fellow-townsman, the frcieCi Oh
caserta But my expectations have not been
realized The two malignant Influences IN ques-
ton instead of counteracting one another, haVc
combined and have served to overthrow the
Government pest upon these malignant IN
auences which are exercised to the detrlment OF
our country.