New-York tribune., 1904-08-13
MAFIA CHIEF SET FREE.
The SiciLian Black Hand" Leader
Escapes Justice.

After all the resources Of the kingdom Of Italy
have been devoted to bringing to justice Palizzoo
the ex-member OF Parliament charged with the
murder of Senator the MARQUIS Notarbartolo his
conviction having been secured with no end os
trouble the sentence condemning him lifelong
IMPRISONMENT has been annuued and the
stored TO liberty. Acknowledged chief of the Maha
IN sicily, an island whose metropolitan city OF
Palermo he represented in the national legisla-
tufe he mas shown in a singularIy striking fashion
u-at ms powers as chief OF one of the greatest
81 lninai secret organizations in the world is su-
peTio- 10 that Of Parliament of the administration
and "f TIE crown. And with the demonstration OF
the extraordinary influence OF the Malta consti-
tuteG by Paiizz0.os restoratoa 10 freedom before
their eyes Italians not only in the peninsula, but
all the world over viii now be more reluctant
than ever 10 place themselves in 4 position OF
'agon-sm to mis- society by giving the authorities
any assistance in their proceedings against il.
ENe-y one throughout Italy knows that PalIzzo!o
Is the chief of the Mafa There has never been
any secret made about -lle matter and Crispi
"hen Premier. was wont with him the
political boss OF the island Sicily in order 70
secure the return OF members disposed 10 support
me government In the Chamber OF Deputies. So
AFRAID were people. not only Of the lower classes
out even OF the highest social official and pOliti-
cal rank 10 testify against him in the Notarbar-
iolo murder case. and thus incur MS enmity.
'nal Il was found necessary change the
oL the ua' several times the case being eventually
heard ar Bologna Each trial lasted four months.
their reluctance to give testimony the evidence
produced in court vas so strong as TO leave no
alternative but conviction
OholsnAyed, Palizzolo's lawyers secured appeal.
rI me ground OF certain technical informaItes in
the proceedings on the strength Of these the YER
olct and the sentence of life Imprisonment were
41asheG and a third trial was ordered at Florence
-s mas J1st been brought 10 close after lasting
"eAi-s year by a verdict diametricaly opposed
20 81 lhe facts proved the previous trial at
Bologna. and by which u badly frightened turv
acqlits the prisoner and restores him 10 liberty
acter"
The entire island OF Sicily processes to be wild
WIN enthusiasm and delight at his scquittal and
the leading citizens of Palermo including p1er-
Grants princes dukes. mobiles OF every degree and
even puoAc officials, such as judges magistrates
e'e.' nave organized themselves into deputation
"lch has proceeded on board the largest steam
snip that could be chartered Naples for the pur-
pose oc bringing PalizzoIo back in triumph 10 his
people.
The story of the crime for which F,IfzzoIo ms
convicted by the tribunals OF Milan and Bologna
reads almost Ike a novel or Gaboriau. The Mar
gus Notaroartolo was not only a Senator but also
Mayor OF Palermo, governor OF the Bank Of Sicily
and one OF the most distinguished public men Of
the Alngdom Of Italy away back in the early COS
On attaining Office Mayor fhe MARQUIS incurred
me enmity OF Palizzolo by forcing the latter 10
restore 10 the municipal treasury large sums OF
pubAc money which PalIzzolo had deliberately
stolen while City Treasurer Following I'D his IN
Vesugations, the marquis ascertained that a num-
Der OF frauds and forgeries had been perpetrated
al the expense OF the Bank OF Sicily by Paiizzo!o
These frauds had placed the bank in such . critI-
cal condition that the Inspector General OF Ma
uonal Banks had been sent from Rome bv the
Minister OF Finance IN order 10 investigate its
condition The marquis had furnished 10 the in
spector Information as TO the manner in which the
INSTITUTION had been robbed. and on his way
back 10 Palermo from his country seat whore he
had gone to get certain papers, letters aud docu-
meuts comprising the forged acceptauces and
bogus morJgages-iu fact. most Of the papers
cAuching the guilt OF Palizzolo-wheu ne was rnur-
dered in the -ain- None Eis money was taken
from him Even his watch remained in his pocket
and ms Jeweed pin IL his necktie. Only his wal
let and papers had disappeared when his body was
recovered
All attempts made by the authorities to discover
the perpetrators Of the crime were discouraged
and. IN spite of the persistent demands Of the press
IN other portions OF Italy, nothing would have
been done about the matter had It not been for the
only son Of the marquis. q naval officer " no Was
resolved 10 sacrifice everything his fathers
assass4ns 10 earth In court Milan. at Bologna
and again al Florence, the young lieutenant de
scribed the witness stand all the obstacles and
extraordinary impediments which had been placed
IL MS way during the eight years that lie was on
the trail OF his fathers murderers. until he finally
brought them trial. lie showed how. through
at Rome, he had been repeatedly sent of the
extraordinary missions 10 distant parts OF
the world whenever the trail became hot. until
he had finally been obliged 10 insist being paced
retired list and half pay iu order 70
enable him pursue his researches without inter
ruption. how all the discoveries which made ana
brought TO the notice Of the authorities ridi-
81 and pigeonhoed while he himself
obliged 10 be constantly on his guard in order
avoid sharing the fate OF his father. how his
house mad been repeatedly broken into. his papers
stolen his baggage rihed OF its contents while
travelling BY land and by IN fact, he showed
hox throughout those eight years. he had been
lighting without ceasing IN the dark against
band OF enemies comprising officials OF high and
low degree, whose one object was 10 put stop fl
some manner OF another 10 his researches.
Commander Lucchese "a north Italian. formerly
prerect police IN Sicily. iolowec the young AeU-
tenant on the witness stand and TESTIFIED with The
Independence and honesty characteristic of the
Piedmontese that all his efforts TO bring the perpe-
traitors OF the murder of the marquis TO justice
had been frustrated by the Malta be bore witness
10 the fact that the reports which ne and his in
spector OF carabiniers. Captain Cervis, had made
TO the authorities had never reached the latter.
IL received had been destroyed by official
hand since not OF the reports figured IN the
'dossier'' or collection Of papers relating the
crime He called attention TO the fact that III the
very week that the murder was committed the
port drawn up bv the Government Inspector OF
Banks on the subject Of the Bank OF Sicily con-
tanning the charges against Palzzolo had mys-
terousy disappeared from the desk Of the Minister
Of Finance Rome. the inspector succumbing
shortly afterward to poison, so that he was
able 10 rewrite draw up the report afresh. He
furnished the most positive proof that PalizZoo's
principal confederate the actual perpetrator OF the
murder. railroad Official. after having been under
lock and key for a fortnight, was set at liberty
by the examining magistrates who were in league
Wit and g1i OF in bpf has Gfa