The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-06

The Italian residents OF Washington,
to the number OF about 200. crowded the
lodge room OF the Italian Society in Marble
Han last night, to protest against the
language Of Commissioner John B. Wight
in the police investigation before 4
subcommittee Of The Senate. in which
he reflected uron the integrity of the
Italians Of the District in connection with
the Irish and the colored people.
Barretto Gandito called the meeting to
order. and briefly stated that its object
Was to formulate a protest against the
aspersions cast upon their countrymon
by Commissioner John b. Wight. BY
motion s. A. PessaCno was chosen
chairman Of the meeting and \. Chicca
was made secretary.
The chairman. s. A. Pessagno. presented
formal address. protesting against
Commissioner Wights words. which was
discussed a. some length and unanimously
adopted. The address follows:
We the Italian American residents Of
Washington, have unanimously decided
this day, at 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,
TO the most savage and cruel manner in
which We have been treated by Mr.. John
B. Wight. District Commissioner. This
unfortunate and ungrateful man has the
audacity TO say that with all kindness.
but I state it as a fact the Italian resi-
dents in this city are disgrace to the
Capital Well does Mr.. Wight know
- h., 4
between the italians. Arabs Armenians.
Greeks. etc. all of which are called
dagos. Is Mr.. Wight. with all his kind
ness and cleverness. trying to judge all
the people by figure and dress?
The Italians in the cityof Washington are
Italians in the city OF Washington are
not 500, but from reliable sources We
certify there are at least 2,000 good hon
est end Woodworking italian people here,
obedient and sincere citizens. and loyal
TO the flag OF their adopted country. Why
does be not come out fairly and squarely
and tell the truth? Any man with COM
mon sense, without any trouble. by exam
ming the criminal records. will easily
find out that the Italians are not by any
means inhabiting the prisons Of the Dis
triet. II is painful to us TO say. with
all our kindness, that Mr. Wight disgraces
himself shsmefully before the eyes OF all
the people OF the District in chasing the
Italians as criminals.
He says that the Italians are a dis
grace to the city. Let US inform the
clever gentleman that on the day of the
malicious attack, the appointment of DR..
J. J. Girimondc an Italian by birth. a
man OF eminent learning. and who has
rendered great services to the Republic
can cause. was confirmed by the Senate to
the most important consulate in Santos,
Brazil
we persistently denounce as a narrow,
minded fellow the present I'M
grateful and incapable District Commits
sioner John B. Wight
We ask ali the Italians united here this
evening to protest in the most earnest
manner against this man. who has taken
for his motto injustice and ingratitude."
After The reading Of the address in Eng
lish C. Verde read Il in Italian, so that all
present might understand its purport. The
adoption Of the address was then formally
moved and the discussion by those present
began. The speeches were all in Italian,
but were interpreted to The Times reporter
through the courtesy Of P. a. Redice and
Costauzo Cevimele
Earretto Gaudito was the FIRST speaker.
He declared that in al public work the
Italians were treated worse than the ne
groes. As laborers they could not be EN-
pl0yed on such buildings, and yet when e
came 20 the finishing touches Of artistic
decoration the genius of italy was called in.
Neither negro nor American could carve
the statue or put on the fresco that made
such buildings beautiful This Mr. Wight
seems 20 have forgotten or never to have
known.
+ A. Boriui then spoke in favor Of the
address He denounced in sCathing terms
Le reflections east upon the Italian people
Il Washington in CHASING them with men
worse than 8fe-crackers." The language
II Mr. wight ia the committee room OF the /
Capitol was declared unworthy Of q ban
-ita chief at a drunken boat OF his fol-
overs tn The Italian mountains. The least
hey could Go. said Signor Borini. was to I
vote fer the address and let Americans 4
snow the deep resentment felt by their I
Italian feIloU-CilizeHs.
Cel=o Caesar Moreno was repeatedly /
allied upon to speak. but excused himself /
IN the ground Of indisposition.
F. Bargagni spoke briefly saving that a .
man Who could ignorsuGy or otherwise .
make use OF such language regarding a .
portion of the citizens was not worthy %
lold high Office.
T. A t-tllEt EA IfialLtA tial ne d.IA lHU .
lr three others had been stirred by what
hey read in The Times. and had set 10
yoIl, TO call last nights meeting. They
lad secured Jhe room, sent ont motto s.
nd were pleased at so large an attend
nee.
Signor Radlcc expressed the hope that
he address Ct the chairman would be
dopred.
Salvador Verde. according TO the in er-
Ireter delivered the speech OF the even
NJ. lie held his countTvmen spellbound
is ha poured forth in the musical Italian
language tho indignation he fell at Tie
Unjust estimate OF the Italian American as
et forth in he Commissioners words. He
declared that Mr. Wight's estimate o. ire
Italians Of The District was an insult TO
he colony. lie reminded his hearers that
he man who discovered America 0as an
Italian. who sacrificed his life in the m s.
ion upon which - went. Signor Verde
aid be keeuly felt the thrust OF being
ngied out CT this cosmopolitan reputation
( the Capital City and branded as o rim
nal Il was for such injustice, be de-
Jared. that Caribaldi went 10 w4r. a-d
hat the Italian statesmen labcged so long
D achieve the unity OF the mother c-uu-
~. The manner OF il was worse than the
hing itself. said the speaker, and he
keucd the insult TO the Italian name TO
be stiIetto. which cuts deep and leaves
% visible wound.
There were many cries OF bravo" ard
ouch applause as Salvador Verde took hi
eat. The adoption of the address wss
len put 20 vote. and passed without a dis
anting voice, al,cr which the meeting ad-
burned.
Siguor Pessaguo explained to The Times
aporter thar The Italian people would let
be matter OF Commissioner Wight's re-
iovsl from Office rest with the protest
hich had beea adopted Il was not