The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1897-04-04

but of this redeeming feature the lar
rikin is entirely incapable.
Three years ago whipping was intro
duced into the jails of New South
Wales, and for a while this form of
punishment served as a deterrant, but
after time the released larrikins came
out to exhibit the tracks of the whip
on their backs with the pride of the
veteran showing his scars, and now,
1t is said, the 9arrikin's standing among
| his fellows is measured by the lashing
he has endured.
If the larrikins were decreasing in
| Australia, the people of that favored
land might well rejoice in it as a hope
Iul sign, but unfortunately, they are on
the increase, and the conditions favor
their growth. With the larrikin, who
Swarms in the cities and is a growing
element OF danger, not only to good
government but to civilization, there is
spreading through the rural districts a
variety of tramp known as the sun
downer," and which is as peculiar to
the land as the urban outlaw.
In the early colonial days-and the
custom is not yet obsolete-every trav-
eler reaching mining camp, farm or
cheep station by shutdown was entitled
to meals and a bed till the following
sunrise. These men came to be known
as landowners" As first they were
~AS4-~SS hOAhAA45 ScthluS
ment, but through fights between
capital and labor, and reinforced by
fugitive larrikins from the cities, these
sundowners have so multiplied as to
become growing curse to the honest
settlers and an increasing menace to
law and order Bounties that swere at
first received thankfully as favor are
now roughly demanded as a right In
land where sheep and cattle are abund-
ant these fellows will not go without
meat, and where they can live in
plenty without honest effort the in
centive to work decreases
In one days drive in the Blue noun
tains of New South Wales the writer
counted in different bands % of these
sundowners. Without exception. they
were strong, sturdy, desperate-looking
Fellows. Each carried a rolled blanket
over his shoulder. a little black tea
Kettle, known as billy" fastened to
MS leather belt, for tea is to them what
coffee is to the American. In addition,
each man carries flour in his haver-
sack. With this mixed with water,
they make an unleavened cake, known
as a "damDer,' baked in ashes.
These sundownerS did net hesitate to
beg, with an unmistakable demand in
their tones that made compliance the
part of prudence. Money, tobacco and
sperrets" were the three things asked
for and accepted without thanks. All
claimed to be looking for work With |
out exception they were disgustingly |
profane, and they took no pains to sup
press their defiance of law, their hatred |
of the capitalist, and their hope for a |
bloody revolution.
Heaven has blessed Australasia. 1t is
a grand empire, as large in area as the |
United States, and nearly as varied in |
its great natural resources. 1t - settled |
icri
and, although more than 100 years since
settlement began, it has today barely
4, 0O0,0 900 inhabitants, and is crying out
against immigration. But with all these
advantages, Australia-all Australasia,
indeed, is threatened by a curse, which,
If not speedily checked and radically
must retard her progress
if ii does not work her ruin.
1t would be a mistake to infer from
what has been said, that the sundown-
CT already dominates the rural regions,
or that the larrikin rules the cities. but
the best men in those colonies realize
the growing power of this lawless and
irresponsible element, and the fact that
if it is permitted to increase the ques-
ton of mastery may one day be settled
by force.
Back of this undesirable product
there is some prolific cause The lar
rikin and the sundowner are the crea-
lures of conditions over which they
nave no power. These pariahs, like our
OWN increasing army of tramps, are as
much the outcome of its distinctive
as the kangaroo, the BUSH
nan and the gum tree are products of
is climate and soil. In the early days
If the American colonies we had no
lass that at all resembled these, but
he class is coming to us now, and it is
growing at a rate that must disturb
he thoughtful observer.
We have class corresponding with
he larrikin, but it is more amenable to
discipline, has in him more promise,
md is not so dangerous. The larrikin
$ growing in strength and audacity,
nd the sundowner is coming to regard
he favors of the settlers as his own
rights.
The great question of federation is ,
the Australian colonies. Free
rade and protection, a gold standard
own there as they are UP here. But {
he most vital question before the Aus
ralasian statesmen today is the sup
ression and, if possible, the extinction
f the larrikin and sundowner.
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