The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1865-06-21

AeeoS0 "a 4Ioeohnc4n 6mplOJ urAt eA@<sS
We were called upon few days since by a
resident of neighboring town, who com
planned Of the difiicplty with which farmers
and Others In Ills vicinity procure male helpfo
DO their harm work, and female help to do or
binary housevork. His is only a small farm
ing town. containing about 100 inhabitants,
with no large villages, aud yet he said he
knew of chances for the employment OF at
least recently good colored men at good wages,
and as many coIored soonaen in good families,
In thai town alone. Why, said he. it. is al.
most impossible for the farmers to take care
of their hay crop. Young men seek the cit.
les, and prefer mechanical trades 10 farm
work. Irishmeh do not make desirable farm
hands, nor do they incline to that kind Of
work. ,hqBg9ftGSk 30 BAgWeH
We asked him If the returning soldiers
would not alleviate the difficulty Of which he
complaired, and furnish plenty OF help for
farming purposes. He thought not. Of per-
haps dozen or twenty soldiers expected 10
return home to his town, probably not five of
them would wish to shire out" as the phrase
is, for some of them had land of their own to
cultivate, others were mechanics, while others
still would become employers, SO that the
number Of those needed for hire was quite as
likely to be increased as diminished by their
return. ~ y
1t was Of no use, he said, to look to Amer
can girls to supply. the demand for female
labor in farmers kitchens and diaries. The
factories, the printing offices, the Tailoring,
dress making and millinery shops, the book
binderies, the shoe manufactures, the school.
room, and thousand other places and forms
Of employment afford better pay, and fret
and scold as we may about it, and preach
homilies as we may about .he decadence OF
housewife elements In our girls, they would
do like other intelligent beings possessed Of
ordinary feelings-go where the best pay, the
most luxuries and the hope of best prospects
tempted them. s..s4 =.
Our friend insisted that the only available
and best source Of supply to meet the wants
or which he complained and under which he
and his neighbors are suffering, is to be found
in the freedmen Of the South, and he was
anxious that we should call attention to the
matter, and extorted from us a promise that
we would do so. Twenty couples, he insisted
could be provided with good homes at fair
wages, In his town alone, beneatting both
themselves and their employers, and, so far as
his observation extended and he Is a very in
stelligent and influential citizen-his town is a
lair sample of other towns in the country, and
particularly those near the seaboard.
Before we had time to redeem our promise
we were almost led to repent having made it.
by a circumstance which came to our knowl-
edge. 1t was the case OF an able bodied. in
telligent "contraband,2 who came into the
city In pursuit OF employment. We did not
see him, but the person who gave us the in
formation did. He called on him.. He had
been a house servant, and a portion Of his
life had had the care Of horses and q car
riage. He had applied at several places for 4
situation. At the hotels he was kindly treat
ed, but informed that as they did not employ
colored servants and walters, it would not be
convenient to offer him situation. He evil
IDENTIFY was no beggar; he was able and will
Hog to work, and afforded unmistakahle evil
denes In his general appearance that he knew
how to work. Our informant interested him
self for him with what success we are not in
formed. ~ t..g...,s s.s..se 80 ssS =
This case led us to hesitate about saying a
single VOID to induce freedmen TO come this
| way, lest, like the one we have referred to.
they should not readily find an open door to
receive them; and yet it seems pity that
families in the city or country needing their
help should not be supplied when SO may o1
them are no doubt ready and anxious to an
Inst such sitnations. Thew npalra .ssSa ,ae.4-.I
WORK, take strong hold upon the affections
of their employers.
1t seems to us that In all our LARGE c;t;es :.
any rate In one Or more places in each State,
there should be Offices opened-call them EN-
ployment offices, or Intelligence offices, !. 81
what you please--where persons, like our far.
mer friend, In want Of such help can make
their wants known, and to whom ssinteligent
eontrabands" may apply for employment. No
doubt arrangements could be made 90 that mr.
ders for good help, male and female. sent to
proper places, say to WsshingtoD, Norfolk or
farther west, could be attended to by respon-
sioie agents, and thus aasurply Of good help
oe forthcoming to meet thedemand as it shall
be developed In our large cities and towns owns,
The expenses of transportation could be met
10 various ways. The gentleman to whom we
have before referred, said he was willing to
pay from his own pocket whatever=was need
ul for travelling expenses for such help as he
required. Probably others would do the
same. Atany rate. it seems to US the thought
Is = worthy the attention Of some or our freed
mems aid associations. and thai portion Of
their efforts and funds could probably be d.
verified into some, such channel as we have
suggested. .bes