The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1937-01-25

es or states that such connection
exists, Is deliberately lying-as a
matter Of fact, while I was pres
ident of the Vets ! had as VICE
president the present Comman-
der Frank Marucci who is a
staunch republican and only re-
Gently has been elected member
Of the board of directors OF the
Italian American Republican club
Of this city; my treasurer John
Izzo Is also an active republican,
and has recently been elected
treasurer of the Italian American
Republican club. my secretary,
John Sivilla Is also a republican,
and the other two members Of my
council were certainly not men,
bers Of my political organization.
AS you will know, the local
chapter Is part of the Federation
of Italian World War Veterans In
the U. s. A., Inc, and is therefore
subject TO the constitution and
bylaws of said federation-Article
10 of said constitution, gives the
federation which has its head
quarters In New York City, the
power to appoint the president of
the chapter who then submits the
four names of his co-Workers to
the federation for approval.
In the fall of 1888, I was asked
by the Italian vice-consul In
New Haven to organize the local
unit-at that time owing to my
long business hours, hesitated
but finally yielded to group of
my comrades, and with their full
cooperation the chapter was Or
ganized. At the end Of my first
term as president, was recon-
flrmed by the federation, but be-
fore starting on my second term,
] called a special meeting and al
though I knew that I was violat-
ing the constitution and bylaws
OF our federation, demanded
that an election be held, and I
was consequently elected by a
unanimous vote.
In 1885. my party honored me
with the nomination for second
term as a member of the board
OF education, and fearing criti-
cism from such men as the three
mentioned il the misleading
statement published by The
Democrat, I resigned as president
Of the chapter. In accepting my
resignation, Captain Vincenzo We
dor, who is president OF the Fed
Grafton. stated that my being a
member of the board OF educa-
ton which Is purely an honorary
position, did not conflict with my
being president Of the chapter
and he accepted my resignation
with regret.
Vice-Prcsidcnt Frank Marucci
was then appointed president, and
on motion Of Comrade Antonio
ID Crosta which was carried
unanimously, was elected
honorary president and this
election was duly approved by
the federation.
President Marucci was recent
ly re-arpointed for another term
and &, scted his own co-workers,
therefore consider the statement
made by the three gentlemen Of
your organization that I had i'm
posed my men on President Ma
rucci, miserable lie.
What ! have just related to you
can be substantiated at any time
by the minutes of the meetings Of
our chapter.
AS to my political activities, I
have no apology to make to any
body-I am and will always be
democrat: We may differ IN
selecting our leaders, but no man
Is bigger than his party. We can
not all be generals. The majority
rules, and II our leaders do not
live up To our expectations we can
always, thank God. with our form
OF government, replace them. As
modest member OF our city board
Of education. I am trying to car
ry out the mandate Of the people
to the best Of my ability. The
city election Is not far of Mr.. De
Pastino. and If my party decides
to replace me with better man,
I shall fall in line like q good SOL
dier, and still be a good democrat
And In closing, I wish to add
my dear Mr.. De Pastino, that you
as a leader of powerful italian
groups, should advise the group OF
young professional people III your
midst. that the only way to OBJ
tain more recognition is to forget
their inferiority complex: tell
them to stop belly aching, forget
personalities and petty jealousies.
and settle down to constructive
work. The merits and qualiflca-
ton Of the young professional
men of our race will soon be
noted and fully recognized, II
they succeed in acquiring the
esteem and good will Of the people
Of other races that comprise this
great melting not of America.