Arizona silver belt., 1897-11-11
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER II, 1897
MORAL OF THE CLIFTON
 CRIMES.

The recent murders and culmiueting lynchiDg at Clifton serve to attract attention anew to the very bad cundi-
 tion of affairs in the two copper camps
 of Eastern Graham county, evils which
 the reputable people of that county
 must be fully aware of, but because of
 the influence of the companies oper-
 aiing the mines public opinion Is stifed.
 The low moral condition of Clifton
 and Morenci has for years been notori-
 ons, and is chargeable to the policy of
 employing degraded foreign labor in
 nearly all subordinate positions and to
 the pernicious credit system main
 tained by the companies. When the
 Copper Queen people bought the De.
 troit mines at Morenci 1t was generally supposed they would adopt radical reforms and make Morenci a white
 mans camp, patterned after Bisbee,
 which hes the reputation of heinz the model camp of Arizona, It Is possible that they yet intend to remedy the evils which have so long existed there,
 to be in harmony with the utiitarian policy pursued by them at Bisbee, Globe and elsewhere in Arizona where they operate extensively, and we are hopeful that such is their aim and de- termination.
 The Arizona Copper company has been shrewdly managed to make the utmost farthlng for the foreign stock holders. Their plant is extensive, fitted with the most approved modern appliances for the extraction of the metal, and skilled workmen are em- ployed in positions of responsibility, which not only insures successful oper- ation but lends presumptiye iustitica. nun tO tuc pOiiCN Ol tlic SOLupLhs uo the favored few among the employees, from self-interest if from no other motive, defend or excuse a system that does not infringe their individual inter- ests. People living in such com munity become hardened to dsbssed social conditions; their moral sensibili- ties grow cslloused. and it is only when some especially atrocious crime is com mitted in their midst that their indifr-r- once is momentarily disturbed.
 At Clifton Mexican labor largely predominates, and is of the very low est order of humanity, comprising de- serttrs from the Mexican army and outlaws from Sonora. Wages are one- third less than iu other mining camps in the territory where white men are given the preference. Moreover, s majority of the employees of the com pany draw their pay in bOletos, or scrip. exchangeable at the company store for merchandise only. and these boletos pass current Iu the saloons and small stores at discount of from 25 to 35 per cent from their face value. The eompaBys store is MI immense estab. iisbment, selling everything consumed in the camp, and practically mouopo- liking business. Gambling and every form of vice is rampant, and with all these incentives to profigacy amongst A depraved foreign population is it any wonder that crime is prevalent?
 The commission of murders and other crimes at Clifton and Morenci in the past is so notorious that the recent atrocities at Clifton are not especially They are the inevitable of q vicious system up. held by corporation for gain, and to the serious detriment of Graham county. The system is, moreover, a menace to other mining districts in Arizona. as it offers a strong temlta- ton to interruptions companies else where to attempt 10 introduce it There is nothing that can be said in ! of company that will cm- ploy it, aud it should not be tolerated amongst civilized people. It is idle | for the Arizona Copper company to with the view of trying to make the people believe that they are public benefactors. Their Machiavelian | artifice does not go any longer. If Graham county is willing longer to subrnit to 1t the people of the territory are not. They are tired of supporting the oonvicts sent to the territorial | prison from Clifton. It is full time that the Arizona Copper company re- formed their policy, and began to dis play more of that rugged honesty for which the Scotch character is noted.
 The people of Yavopai county are