The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-06-12

try the brigands are responsible for most
OF the crimes which are committed. They
are by no means Identified with the Ma
ma, and act Independently of it. But Of
ten hrigands and ''mahosi" are on friend
ly terms and help each other out of diff
cul.ies.
Although as stated. the Malta is not a
regular uniform associa ton, It's pale
minor associat tons for criminal purposes
have often been formed. generally for
some particular object. The history of
these societies is a record OF treachery,
murder, abduction and extortion. Some
times whole families and clans have been
wiped out. But one of the peculiarities
OF these crimes is that the victims are
usually themselves members of the Malta,
or at least they have had dealings with
IL Foreigners, among whom Italians
from the mainland are included, may
travel all over Sicily in perfect safety.
In fact. should they happen to be robbed
by common thieves. they will proba bly,
mo an application to ''capo-mafia" more
profitable than the help of the police"
The words Malta" and "Mafosi." have
only acquired their present meaning with
IN the last forty years. Originally Ma
hosl meant pretty. neat tidy, when ap-
piled 10 girl; excellent and brave when
applied to a man In 1850 a popular play
was acted at Palermo called Il Mafiosi
defla Nicaraia" i. e. the Bosses of the
Nicaria. (the great prison at Palermo,)
meaning those convicts who, by their
courage and audacity. had won the fear
and respect of their fellow captives Hence
the word came to be applied to the men,
bers OF these lawless gangs which con-
stitute the Malta. Signor Cutrera de-
scribes some of the curious ceremonies
and customs of the "mahosi." When
man wishes to enter one OF these inner
brotherhoods of the Malta he is brought
into room where several chiefs are gath
cred On a able there is a lighted candle
and picture of a saint The neophyte's
thumb is pricked, and the blood is made
to drop on the image. He places his hand
on the latter and swears fealty to the
brotherhood. The image is then burned,
and he adds: LAS this saint and these
drops of blood are burned, so do 1 swear
to shed ell my blood for the brother
hood; and as these ashes and this blood
can never return to their former state,
so can l never quit the brotherhood"
Possibly in this burning of the image
there may have been originally some idea
of Decorating it. The formula of recogni-
ton among members of these associa lions
is usually as follows: How my eyetooth
achesr' How long has it been aching?"
Since Candlemas' (the date of the mi
tiation.) Who was there?" "A B. c.,
etc, who received me as brother"
These associat tons have given rise to
many sensational trials, but the author
tiles have always found it very difficult
to bring the guilt home to the real Gull
prits, because of the feeling of ''onesta,"
which makes evidence almost impossible
to obtain, and because the whole machn-
cry of the Malta is set in motion to put
pressure on judges, jury, counsel, police,
and witnesses in favor of the accused.
Moreover. the Malta obtained a consider
able influence with the government by aid
ing it in the revolution of 1860. The only
hope for its fnanl suppression lies in bet
ter education, combined with the strictest
penal laws.