The evening times., 1900-04-06

A mass meeting Of the Italian residents
of Washington, to protest against the as
persions cast upon their race by John b.
Wight, Commissioner Of the District in
referring to them as criminals was held
last night in the lodge room of the Italian
Society in Marble Hall
As stated at the meeting the movement
had its origin in the reading of The
Times account or the proceedings of the
meeting of eolored people last Sunday art
ernoOn. p. A. Radice and two or three
other Italians of prominence discussed
the matter among themselves and took
steps to call their ccuntrymen together
and to frame a protest against the Ian
guage used by the Commissioner.
S A. Pessagno was chosen chairman OF
the meeting and A. Chicca, secretary. The
chairman presented a formal address OF
protest against Commissioner Wight,
which was read in English and Italian,
and after being discussed at some length
unanimously adopted. The address
was as follows:
we. the Italian American residents Of
Washington, have unanimously decided
this day. at a mass meeting. to call the
special and urgent attention Of the local
superior authorities, and in particular,
that of the President Of the United States,
10 the most savage and cruel manner in
which we have been treated by Mr. John
b Wight District Commissioner. This
unfortunate and uGgrateful man has the
audacitv TO say that with ali kindness,
hut I state ii as a fact the Italian resi-
dents in this city are a disgrace to the
Capital Well. does Mr.. Wight know and
is he able to distinguish the difference
between the Italians, Arabs, Armenians,
Greeks etc. all OF which are called da-
gos? Is Mr.. Wight with all his kindness
and Cleverness, trying to judge all the
people by figure and dress?
In the city of Washington there are
not SEQ. as Mr.. Wight stated but from re-
liable sources we certify there are at least
2 600 good honest and hard working Ital-
ian people here; obedient and sincere citi-
zens. and loyal to the flag Of their adopt
ed country. Why does he not come out
fairly and suuarely and tell the truth?
Any man with common sense, without any
trouble. by examining the criminal rec
ords, viii easily find out that the Italians
are not by any means inhabiting the pris-
ons of the District. 1t is painful TO us
to say. with all our kindness, that Mr..
Wight disgraces himself shamefully be
fore the eyes of all the people Of the Dis
tYict in chasing the Italians as criminals.
grace TO the city. Let US inform the
clever gentleman that on the day Of the
malicious attack the appointment Of Or.
:. J. Girimonde. an Italian by birth. a
man OF eminent learning, ana who has
rendered great services TO the Republican
cause was confirmed by the Senate TO the
mCst important consulate in Santos, Brazil
We psrssteHuy den0unCe as narrow.
ngotsd- minded fellow the present un-
grateful and incapable District Commis-
Sioner. John b. Wight.
We ask an the Italians united here TINS
evening TO protest in the most earnest
manner against this man. who has taken
for his mCtt0 injustice and inEratitu5c."
Speeches fay0Tiug the adoption Of the
address we're delivered by Barretto Saudi
to T. A. Goriui r. RargagEi r. 4. Radica,
G. Nc"de. and Salvator Verde. Celso Cae-
sare Moreno was called upon repeatedly
10 speak bur excused himself on account
of indisrcsiji0n. The speeches were in
dignaUf expressions Of protest against
chasing he Italian people with the cTimi-
nal element when they regard themselves
as Industrious and law-abiding