New-York tribune., 1898-10-29
CJRCT TUST4NCES ALTER CASES.

Those who arc fond OF talking about the de-
cav of the Latin nations will doubtless point
with pride to piece Of news that came from
Italy the other day 1t seems that one Fer
ruchlo Macola. proprietor OF venetian paper
called the Gazette" bee cIme involved In a duel
last March with poet named CaNallotti ana
slew him. There followed the Arrest OF the
Journalist and his conviction. His sentence was
pronounced one day last week And what was
n? Shado Of CGlllope! 1t was imprisonment for
thirteen months Apparently poets DO not come
high in Italy Just now. Even the man that hath
10 music IN his soul will be forced TO admit
that a trife more than years imprisonment
is a rather gentle visitation for the slaughter OF
a bard.
1t would be interesting to be fully Informed
Of the circumstances OF the case. From this
distance IT looks as II Carallottis verses must
have beer exceeding bad 1t should be noticed
that his taking off at the hands Of Macola oc-
Cured in March. This circumstance lends
weight 10 the theory that the victim was
spring poet II so. the sentence Is easier to un-
dcrstand Moreover there is additional reason
10 sur:nse that the murder Of Cavallotti oc-
Cured under great provocatiOn For the DIS
patch recording the sentence went on To say
that Macola introduced evidence showing that
Cavallotu had insisted on having lis poems
printed In the "Gazette.' Yes. tn more one
thinks upon the matter. the more likely 1t seems
that the Judge knew his business. Perhaps ne
was Constant reader" OF the "Gaz zette. and
had long been forced to Godge Cavallottis
verses. II is bad enough for man 10 write bad
verses but TO insist on having them printed
well there are worse things than manslaughter.
But on the ether hand. it is barely conceivable
that Cavallotti wrote excellent verses md that
his slayer was unable to appreciate them. on
the whole. judgment must be suspended. II is
impossible in the absence Of further particulars.
to determli,. whether the sentence of thirteen
months was pitlaby insufficient or unpardon-
ably
All the same. II MacO.a will kindly visit this
country he will find numerous cases that re-
uulre the attention Of his agile rapier. To he
sure on. spring poets are just now too bnsily
engaged In putting In coal for the winter to
cause much National suffering. but the clan
that insists on telling the country how gloomy
are the leafless trees and how melancholy the
dull and esd,n skies is working overtime and
should be reported To the union. while the war
poet with his ITO arms to arms the huge
calls" and other remarks 10 the same effect, is
producing e distinct feeling OF lassItude.
IL NAV be said that the editors who publish
bad verses are responsible to the suffering pub
lie in a greater degree than the makers OF the
sare. and this argument doubtless las some
weight. The editor who publishes verses that
he knows will drive JOY from many a happy
home and seat dull care on many brow. Sim
ply because ii Is the easiest way 10 get rid Of
the poet, has imperfect excuse, and does
not readily succeed in establishing a powerful
claim to public sympathy. For he doesn't have
TO read the verses after they are printed. lie
knows they are there. and. thus forewarned,
can dodge them. while the hapless "old sub
scribcr" may innocently stumble upon them and
make trouble for the recording angel In conse-
quence. 1t would be only reasonable to expect
editors who Willingly publish bad verses to pro-
tect their readers by displaying on the first
pages OF their papers notice reading something
Ike this: "On the ninth page OF this issue are
verses by John Smith, entitled why Do Sum-
mer Roses Fade? Look out for 'em. They are
something ghastly."
Anyhow there is plenty OF business here for
Signor MacOla. and believe he will find
judges AMI jurles duly appreciative OF what
ever he contrves to do for the general comfort.