MINERS' ETHICS

Dunstan Times, Issue 1843, 19 November 1897, Page 3

MINERS' ETHICS

Mining camps develop some curious phases of human nature, good as well as bad. In this regard the Clondyke region seems to be repeating the early history of California before society was organised or any laws enacted except those adopted by common consent. Gambling and drinking are the master vices of all mining camps, but it is curious to observe how little stealing or violation of personal rights there is in these new communities. There are no laws, usually no constables, no sheriffs, yet no stealing. The reason, no doubt, is that the unwritten law of the camp makes stealing punishable with death, the penalty being invariably inflicted without the aid of judge or jury. The man in the Clondyke who stole a piece of bacon was shot, and everybody said “ Serve him right.” In a saloon, where men pay for drinks with gold dust, the customer tosses bis sack of gold to the barkeeper, who shakes out the price of the drink on the scales, and tosses the sack back to the owner. No doubt if the barkeeper should be seen to weigh out too much he would be promptly shot. The mining camp brings out the good as well as the bad traits of human nature.—San Francisco ‘Call.’