Gary Craig is correct that animals other than monkeys were used to
accompany organ grinders (2010/4/14 MMDigest).  The most popular
animals were dogs, second place went to parrots.  In South America,
Mexico and most of Europe the parrot was the preferred animal
attraction.  My collection of porcelain (et al) organ grinder statues
is prolific in depicting parrots.  They simply were more manageable
than monkeys.

As to only Italian grinders employing (sic) monkeys, perhaps it was
the wave of Italian immigrants in America at a time when grinders were
prolific.  Or perhaps the Italians were creative in knowing that
monkeys were able to discern the difference between coins.  Imagine the
delight of one who, upon giving the monkey a dime, witnessed the monkey
tossing the dime back and awaiting a quarter or two!  It's no surprise
that grinders with monkeys at the turn-of-the-century were making
upwards of $5.00 a day when laborers were earning $2.00 or less a day
in factory sweat shops.

Angelo Rulli