The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1909-04-16

or young ariStocrat, nrSt cOmprO-
missing and then blackmailing him.
The Garduna displayed more fancy
In classifying the women that aided
the society. They were divided into
matronas, old females who were tame
instruments in it's hands, and the ST.
renas, who, as the appellation ex-
plains, played the part OF sirens in al
Turing young fools into the traps of
the association.
Before leaving the comparison OF
the two societies, a few remarks
should perhaps be added. Both So
cieties conducted their business on a
basis of percentage owed them by
their members out of the profits OF
crime. Also there is great connection
in the use Of certain words. The Ca
mora, for instance, call their knife
| the zumpafuosso, and the Garduna
called theirs the punZenta; but when
it comes to the work of the knife the
Camorra uses the pungere, that Is,
derivation from the Spanish sub
stantive. The Garduna laid aside a
| certain amount OF money from the
| assets of crime ito celebrate masses
| for the peace OF souls in purgatory."
| The Camorra has the curious custom
of collecting money among It's MEM
bers, and those in sympathy with it.
to buy oil for the lamp that burns
in the corridor OF the prison before
the image of the Virgin.
STRENGTHENING SOCIETY'S
HOLD.
The society thus imported into
italy by Spain, favored by the vice
kings Of Naples and tolerated by the
Bourbones till the year 1860, has had
time to consolidate and oppose the
law by the terrorizing force of mys-
terious murders unpunished through
neglect Of governments.
Influence Of the Camorra has so
penetrated the lower class OF Naples
that the police have not only to deal
with the society, but with the preju-
dces of the people-frightened citi-
Zens who are convinced that the po-
lice cannot protect them against the
society should they incur its anger.
La Belle Societa Riformata, as Ca
morr1sts call their order, exacts Of it's
members before all else secrecy and
almost blind obedience. These two !
canons are called the frieno-rules |
that tacitly express that Of the Gar |
duna, that every man who possesses
keen eyes, quick legs, ready willing |
ness, and no tongue" may hope to |
become an honored member of tho |
society.
To betray the least secrets of the |
Camorra is called committing infam-
ita Can infamy), and is almost invar-
iably punished by death. Before ex-
ecuting the decree tribunal of Ca !
morrists is gathered in a place out Of |
the reach Of the police; accusation is |
made without the presence OF the ac- |
cused, except in extraordinary cases, |
after which the punishment is dis |
cdssed, and on the agreement OF the |
judges as to the guilt of the victim |
the sentence must be executed as soon
as possible.
DISCIPLINE STRICTLY KEPT.
The disciplinary side, like the ad-
ministrative rule. is very strict. The !
society is divided into groups called |
paranze. corresponding to the division
OF Naples into rioni or quarters. Each |
paranZa elects a head called capintri-
no, and all the various divisions COM !
bine to elect head of the whole So ,
ciety, who is called Capintesta, king !
of uncontested authority until he is |
killed, dethroned, or sent to prison. |
IL, Of b. rnv ,nly
enough to die natural death.
Tribute eyacted by the society is |
paid regularly, and the accounts kept |
by one or more members called cum
taioli (accountants). Stolen goods !,
are disposed of either by auction /
among the allies Of the society, or to !
private dealers. The money is taken |
to the cuntaiolo Of the paranza, who |
decides what percentage must go to |
the main treasury Of the organization,
what is the particular paranza, and |
what to the gang that accomplished !
the theft. This done, the capintrino !
Of the paranza is personally RESPONSE |
BILE that the percentage and integral |
part Of the booty reach the proper
places.
THE CAMORRA'S SECRET LAM
GUAGE.
Another obstacle confronting the !
police is that the Camorra, like the |
old society Of La Garduna, has a jar |
gon that only the initiated under
stand.
The Camorra renews its force by
the training of young members and |
by the reward for crime. The Capin-
tesla and capintrino are for the most !
part promotions bestowed after some |
daring murder or bloody zumpata.
Young men are tested before being |
accepted as members. the Camorra
ascertaining their courage and sam
culinary tendencies by dramatic
duel. The rule in such duels is not