The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-03-03
TIE MAFIA OF SICILY.
ITS TerribIe Work in the UsurpatiOn
of Illegal Power.

In Italy as well as abroad, ana TO which
If is moi easy TO find an answer.
Herr August Schneegans. consul of the
German, empire at Messina, who has writ
ten a charming and admirably descriptive
work Al Sicily in nature history, and life,
has of course considered this phase of ST.
Gillian life. The Malta, he says, is a secret
societyr, which having usurped every part
of life, whether public or private-an ille-
cal pOwer-exercises besides an Illegal ac-
ton 10 the advantage of it's adherents by
all means, licit or illicit. The Malta, what
soever its Importance may be, is a state
within state, representing an Illegal aud
arbitrary force. which invades order and
legality, and Expresses them.
Suoh is its general definition, but the
Malta. extending itself into every possible
field. takes various aspects and works up
on ala social relations. Hence we would
form to ourselves an imperfect and partial
idea of it if we discussed it and judged of
il according 10 one or other of its as
poets without taking heed of the individ-
ual features of the whole picture
There is nothing which, Schneegaus says,
has taken such strong and deep roots IN
the hearts of the Siciau people as the
things, an Illegal power. The idea of a
usurpation of power is what the Malta IS
founded upon.
This idea is expressed and incarnated
according to the customs of the country,
in a system of secret and almost subter-
ranean conspiraces, which enforce obeii-
ence by intimidation and terror.
The Mafosi-the adherents of the
Malta are termed-are real conspirators
against the laws, against society, against
the public powers and constituted rights.
The Plague of Sicily.
No man in recent days has given more
study to the manners and customs of the
Siciian people than DIR. Pitre. He is one
OF the glories of Palermo.
His volumes treat of the manners, the
traditions and the popular literature of
Sicily. but when he comes to the chapter
in which he should treat of the Malta he
confines his remarks to the philology OF
the word, and declares that he will not
occupy his pages with any other aspect
to it.
NJ Rene Bazin. the thoughtful and ele-
CANT French writer, whose acquaintance
I made at Granada few years ago, in
his book "Sicile," gives the reports of
three persons on the Malta: The keeper
of the hotel. who says that there is no
such thing as Malta in Sicily-that it is
the safest and best policed country in
Europe; a citizen of Palermo, who points
out a Mafioso. but says no more, and a
third, who will tell you terrible stories
that will haunt you in your sleep.
The ordinary traveller can gather little
information from the people regarding this
universal opposition to the laws this So
ciety which is not secret. because it seems
that every one is member of it,
Both NJ. Rene Bazin and the able artist
and writer M. Geston Vuillier, who is one
of the most recent writer's on Sicily for
their information regarding the Malta fall
back upon works published some years
in FRyl1fc
the land is described.
Result of Oppression.
NJ Vuillier says that il has been de-
scribed as secret society, admirably or,
gained with numerous affilia tons and
many mysterious statutes: a hidden ana
terrible force. which defied Justice. de,
spised the laws, and compressed Sicily a.
in an iron net.
The spirit of the Malta still reigns in
Sicily; it is a result of oppression in the
past and it may be said in this sense thai
every Sicilian especially among the mo-
pie, belongs 10 the Malta
It is an interested solidarity which
unites, by instinct of defense, a whole so
cial class against the constituted lawe and
customs. The bond of union is neither
apparent nor regular
real Malta constituted of adopts fniti-
ated individuals statutes chiefs. and Sc
cret intelligence with the whole country.
does not exist.
This survival of the Middle Ages ,bis
particular spirit will, M. Vuiller thinks.
still endure for a long time to come The
thing is in the blood and, it may be said
in the customs of the people 1t will
continue under governments which. even
If not entirely beneficent, are not even OBJ
pressive.
AT present what prevails is a sentiment
of solidarity, for each one thinks il useful
TO do himself justice, outside of the law:
useful to impose on the weak and attach
himself to the strongest, and useful to
oppose the constituted power by escaping
from legal repressions.
SOcities of MaIefnctors.
Tn some districts, however, the Mafiosi
are organized in societies of malefactors.
These are composed at times of groups
which are enemies one TO the other. but
always agreed in concealing their dealings
from their adversaries.
The adopts in the Malta are more or less
criminal When they have done something
harsh or offended against the laws, and
evaded the consequences of their wrong
doing. they are respected among their
companions and acquire an ascendency
over them.
These offenders, in time. are chosen
judges in disputes between masters and
servants, laborers and their employers,
and such like. Then they begin to be
essary 10 them Thus is the nucleus Of
dangerous society formed.
Suppose that a person is suspected of
being a spy on the society. The only
safety, according to the authorities quoted
by Vi. Vuilier lies in getting rid of him.
And this strange society viii act. net
only on its own account but will sell its
rm to deliver any one from his enemy.
The price of the crime will vary from so
to 500 lire"
Method of the Mafiosi.
The ordinary proceeding in the commits
sion Of the assassination is:
The victim being designated, lots are
drawn for the selection of the execution
err or a neophyte is charged with it in
order to put his courage to the proof. He
takes weapon, always a rife, from the
hands of a companion and fires at the
victim, whom he generally does not
know. The rifle is Immediately passed with
great rapidity from one hand to the 9TH