The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-04-06

A mass meeting Of the Italian residents
OF Washington. to protest against the as
PERSONS 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 Of the proceedings Of the
meeting Of colored 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.
5. 4. PessaEno 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 al some length
was unanimously adopted The address
was as 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 parti .ular.
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 aud uugrateful man has the
audacitv TO say that with ali kindness,
hut I state &c as a fact the Italian resi-
dents in this city are a disgrace to the
Capital Well does Ir. Wight know ard
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
ell country. Why does he no. come out
fairly and sUuarely and tell the truth
ANY man with common sense. without any
trouble. by examining the criminal rec
Ords. will easily find out that the Italians
are not by any means inhabiting the prjs-
cus Of the District. IL is painful to Us
10 say. with all our kindness, that Mt.
Wight disgraces himself shamefully be
fore the eyes Of all the people Of the Dis
trict In CHASING the Italians as criminals.
He saws that the Italians are a dis
grace 20 the cry Let us INFORM the
clever gentleman that on the day OF the
malicious attack the appointment OF Dr.
!. J. Girimonde. an Italian by birth. q
man OF eminent learning, and VITO has
rendered great services TO the Republican
cause was confirmed by the Seu-te 60 the
most Important consulate in Santos. Brazil
I'VE p.rsistsHly denUUnCe as q narrow.
lisoteI- minded fellow the present un-
grateful and incapable District CorImis-
siCuer John B. Wight
We ask all the Italians united here this
evening to- protest in the most earnest
manner against this ma1 who has taken
for his motto injustice and inlratituie."
Speeches fayoriuE the adoption of the
address we're delivered by BarTgttO Saudi
90. T. A. EOriui r. RIrgagui. p. q. Radice
G. Verde. and Salvador Verde. Celso Cae-
slre Moreno was called upon repeatedly
% speak. but excused himself on account
or inGi7rositi01. The speeches were in
diEuaUf expressions Of protest against
chasing be Italian people with the crimi-
nal element when they regard themselves
as Industrious and law-abidiug