Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-04-06
The ITALIANS INDIGNANT
DESoUNCE COMMISSIONER WIGHV
For HIS RECENT UTTER .xrEs.
Vigorous Expression oc Sentiments
Decided 10 Make No Formal Pro-
test che President

The Ito'!ans Of the city assembled last
evening To express their indignation over
the language recently used by Commission
er Wight before a subcommittee of the
House coi1.ni5tce on appropriations in
which he said that i spoke well for The DO
lice department TO handle these apun0 COL
ored people, with the Irish and Italians and
other classes. that are here In considerable
numbers. The meeting was attended by
about 40 men of T;alian birth. auI nu-
mrroHs speeches in the italian tongue were.
made in condemnation of the Commissions
cr's words.
There were half a dozen colored men In
the hall when the meeting commenced,
among them being W. Calvin Chase. T.. NJ.
FeWlett and Th"s. L. Jones Thor pres
ence caused considerable discussion among
the Italians. many of whom Were in favor
Of not permitting them 10 remain. Tho
meeting was opened. aud nothing was said
to theIl. bat when Sons, one suggest I'd that
MI chase he called upon 10 speak the pre-
s.dihE officer remarked that the meeting
was for Italians aHi Italians only.
Inc meeting was an eXtr, mely orderly
one, thete being no interruption kept on
one occasion. VIII IN an italian in the rear of
the nail niade a slurring remark in re- Donse
to statement by one Of the Speatcrl and
INSISTED on repeating It several times 10
was called 10 order and sat quietly during
Expression OF Sentiment
The result OF the meeting was the iadorse-
nent OF The following, which WAS read by
the presiding officer in English:
we, the Italian American residents OF
Washington, have unanimously decided this
day at 4 mas meeting TO call tho spsciat
attention Of the local superior authorities
and IN particular Of the President NJ the
Cnted Siates 10 the most savage AID cruel
manner in which we have been treated by
NJ. tuhr Y. Wight. District Commissioner.
The unfortunate and ungratrful man las
TIE hHda-tiY 20 say that the Italian resi-
dents IN this city are a disgrace u The cap
it-l-
rs Mr. Wight familiar with the Italian
coiony in Washington? Furthermore does
8lr. Wigh. know and is he able Ia distin-
guish the difference between the Italians,
Araos. Atmen.anS or GreekS2 Is Mr. Wight
with al his kindness ana cleyerneSS irving
Ia Judge ali the people by the sunny figure
an" dress? Let us Sc She new Demos
themes. The Italians in the city of WASH
inston ar. not SO, but from reliable sources
We certify there are at least 2VkJ good
honest and har1-working people; obedIt nj
adopted country
~ by does not Mr. Wight come ont fairly
and squarely and tell the truth2 ANY man
OF cufI.mon sense. without any trouble by
examining the criminal records will easily
find out that the Italians are not by any
1t is painful for us TO say that with all
our Kindness, Mr.. Wight disgraces himself
shamefuly before the eyes of the people of
inc Dlstrict- He says that the Italians arc
disgrace = the city.
Let US inform the clever gentleman that
on the day Of his malicious attack the ap-
poinament of DR.. j. J. GiTinlondi. "A Italian
by birth Il man of eminent learning and
one who has rendered great ser,,;, -, 10 The
republican cause. was confirmed bv the SEN
ate lie was appointe / 10 the most mpor-
tant consulate at Br zl Santos
we persistentIy cen0uucc ds 1 narrow
blGoted-mnted fet'gw the present 1ngrs.rc-
FOL and Incapable District Comm fssinper
Wight We ask of all the Italians united
mere this evening TO protest in the most
severe manner against this man for his in
justice and sngratitudc'
No Formal Protest.
No action was taken looking TO a direct
pr lest 10 tho President in opposition to the
re2ppointment of Mir. Wight. for the reason
that, as the presiding officer explained later.
it was understood Mr.. Wight would not he.
rea7pointed and they did not consider il
Necessary to trouble t. President by CALI
ing upon him or by sending him a formal
protest
TIE Italians were very late in gathering
at the hall. and it was after $50 o'clock be-
fore they commenced the business Of the
evening
As The Italians assembled. they quietly
took their seats about the hall. or gathered
in small groups to discuss the object Of the
meeting, which was finally called 70 order
by ar. V. Giovanneti. and Ny. PisIaio
was nominated and elected presiding otfl-
cei, ana Mr.. Chicca was chosen secretary.
Mr.. Pfsan!o assembled the platform. at the
rear o: which the American and italian
flags had been displayed and introduced
Barb Gaudita, = sculptor. to address the
ass mblage. The speaker became con-
warmed up In discussing what he
termed the great insult that had been given
Italians by Commissioner Wight. He said
he had served in the Italian array for eight
years, aad that made him fee! more deeply
the attack upon mis- race. A reference 10
the Ita.ian flag called for II vigorous ap-
plaTse. He alluded to the greatness of his
race
Yet" he said. commissioner Wight
makes us worse than negroes"
Ready to Defend italian Homer,
He said the Italian colony in this city
would be found ready TO stand up for
italian honor, and that they wee indus
trious and honorable mechanics and men
OF ether OCCUPATIONS. He said il was i'm
possible to go through the great public
here without seeing the names OF
italian sculptors and he thought the char
acter of these men deserved no such impu-
ia ton cast upon them.
Mr.. Pisanio then read the statement that
the meeting. and when he asked Tor vote
on it every hand vas raised in favor Of its
passage.
There were numerous brief speeches de-
livered, among which was one by Joseph
Verdi, who stirred his audience up 10 some
degree of excitement. He resented having
the italian race classed with the coiored
race. and said Italians had been taught
in their OWE country to obey laws before
they came to the land of their adoption.
He referred to Baron Fava, the Italian
minister, and said. with considerable show
OF feeling, that it had been left to members
ne ha tall hEir
from the attacks made upon them. lie said
it was for man in that colony TO lead
the movement in their defense.
What is the name of This MANI" an
italian in the rear of the hall called out,
derisively.
The presiding officer called the offender TO
order. but he repeated his question several
times without getting an answer before he
gave up his attempt to get information
Trf-Cc.ored Flag Cheered.
The speaker concluded his remarks by
to the tri-colored flag of Italy,
,,-bsoh ba cafd 1rou1d al forth