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Show THE SICILIAN REVOLT. Dae tn the Indignation of the Poor Over Injustice In Collecting Tax. The Sicilian tis&ble began at Mazzara, a town of 14,000 inhabitants. The system sys-tem of local taxation, which is the grievance griev-ance of the masses throughout Italy, exists ex-ists in Siuily. The rich escape through corruption, and the poor carry the whole burden. The people met in mass meeting meet-ing and voted to abolish the municipal taxes. The authorities, after pretending to j-ield, sent for troops. The mob was enraged and burned all the public build-incrs. build-incrs. The troons attacked them, but were overmatched, surrounded ana unable un-able to return t their barracks. They tried to bivouac in the square. The mob renewed the attack, and this battle lasted last-ed all night, and many were killed on both sides. In the morning the people went home, and more troops came and prevented a renewal of the hostility. Then the people of Salemi followed the example of Mazzara. The officials had Warning and garrisoned the public buildings. build-ings. When the mob attacked them, it was at first repulsed. The rebels turned their attention to other buildings and houses. The rich half of the town was destroyed, and much loss of life occurred before the troop gained control. I At Castelvetrano a mob of 7,000 at tacked the jail, freed tho prisoners and then held a meeting and voted to lynch the tax collector and dismiss the municipal munic-ipal officers. Both resolutions were duly executed. The president of the Workmen's league was installed aa mayor, or sydic. The inhabitants of Pietraperzia made demands upon the local authorities, which were refused, and the troops were called out. After a bloody battla, in which many fell, the troops retreated. The mob burned all the public buildings and houses of the wealthy. Only the poor quarters of the town remain. These scenes were repeated at Valguarnera, Marines, Canicntti, Trapani, Santa Nifa and other places. New York Sun's London Lon-don Letter. |