The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1866-01-31
The Value of Good Manners In Hotels,
Cars and Public Offices.

",
and discomfort to all classes of people, than
apy other lis the want of politeness OF certain
employees in subordinate positions IN almost
every description ut public business. 10
sueh an extent has this evil grown, and so |
widespread and universal is the resulting DIS |
satisfaction, that il is time that leading BUSH
nvss men, heads of departments, managers OF
rail road companies, proprietor OF hrst-class
hotels, and the owners and chiefs OF every |
grade of institutions intended for the benefit
or amusement of the people, should begin at
once and speedily to consummate thorough |
raform-a reform under which the whole |
community may be permitted to enjoy the
blessings and comforts of our country with
out being subject to the supercillous treat
ment of those who are selected to discharge
the duties of comparatively inferior posi-
tons.
1t is as easy to be courteous and polite as
TO be rude and unmannerly, and certainly
much more agreeable and pleasant. Ii col
lectiyely and individually we studied more
to please each other we would be mutually
vastly benefited by the result How often
have men of high character, who have risen
TO eminence in public position, and enjoyed
the esteem and appreciation OF their fellow
citizens, been mortified beyond measure by
the impersinance and naughty overbearing
demeanor Of that most important of ell per-
sonages, In his own estimatlor-the clerk OF
leading hotel.
The good old fashioned landlord-the Bon
ifsce of ancient days, who stood on the steps
of his porch-who took his guests by the
hand. personally superintendent the arrage-
Inents for their comfort, and entertained them
with ali the manners of weli-bred and cour-
tIy gentleman became renowned for his hos
pitaiity In those days the hotel clerk had,of
course, his own responsible duties to perform;
but, under the immediate direction and su-
pervision of the proprietor, he assumed
much more gracious demeanor than his repre-
sentative of the present day.
The rapid improvement in travelling tacliI-
ties and the ease and safety with which We
are transported from one point to another.
have, we regret to say, brought with them
a most revolving change In the treat
ment of the citizen swhen he arrives at
the end of his journey. His first disappoint
Iuent is the almost total disappearance OF
mine host from the scene. The proprietor
of frst-class hotel now a-days generally re-
sides in some other part of the city, and the
welfare of the guest TOO often is entrusted to
the tender mercles of extortionate servants
and domineering, unapproschable and resic-
ent hotel clerks.
For instance, gentleman arrives at q
strange town or city, after a long and wearl-
some travel inquiries for trsa-class hoteI,
and full of hope and confidence, anticipates
the comfort he will derive from the luxurious
accommodations there to be obtained. lie
enters the office. Being a man OF some con-
sequence in his own Eeighborhood, he feels
that he may expect fair treatment at the
hands Of the parsonage who, with carefully
brushed hair, dressed IN the latest style OF
fashion, with garments OF unezceptl0nabe
cut and finish land who. with pen stuck behind
his ear, leiaurely picks his teeth, as the gen
tleman quietly asks tor accommodations tor
few DAYS. Nine cases out of ten this tormId
able character is ust then engaged In an AMI
mated conversation with some concelted cox
comb of his own Gaiibre, and returns you q
soowl on account of your ill-tlmed Interrupt
ton. lou are then surveyed IN one sweep
ing glance from head to foot The temper
aud disposition OF the man IN whose power
you then feel yourself TO be, will have much
to do in determining the quality OF the &C
conmodations you are to receive. First I'M
pressions are said 90 be the most lasting. 1t
YOU have created q favorable opinion il
the mind Of the man behind the coun-
ter, you can obtain a Weil-iurnished and
desirable room on the second or third floor
if you have not, he spends some minutes IN
peering into the little pigeon holes at his side
and, after long and careful meditation, while
your heart trembles ut the prospect Of being
:urned adFift, and compelled, probably, 70
undergo tho same treatment at aDOLueI place
-ostensiblv provided for the entertainment" /
OF guests-he rings for a servant and desires
him to show you to room with humber
ranging in the hundreds. The prospect OF
ascending FIVE pairs of stairs, especially If
that useful and modern con tFivance, entitled
an elevator" mas not been introduced into
the ESTABLISHMENT, is anything but inviting.
But this time, however, you feel yourself
der many obligations to the gentleman who
conducts the establishment, and who has thus
graciously offered you the shelter of his roof
for the night; and the line of march is taken
up, and you congratulate yourself at last in
having safely accomplished the perious as,
cent
Recollect, you are informed that the house
IL crowded to its fullest extent; but hours
afterwnrd you are surprised, upon the arrival
of other trains that some who are acquaint-
Ell with the monarch behind the counter are
readily installed in well-furnished rooms.
which have been reserved for the emergency
First come. first served" is not the motto at
many Of our leading hotels. The pleasure of
travelling. never SO generally INDUCED in as
at present, is almost entirely destroyed by
these petty annoyances.
And how difficult it is to obtain the Sigh
est information from these hotel clerks as to
the whereabouts of friends who may be stop
ping at the house. Although you may have
made previous engagements to meet them
there at certain hours. it is almos. impossible
to ascertain positively whether they are not
at that very moment awaiting your ar
rival in their rooms. Without deeming it
necessary to send and enquire, you are almost
invariably informed that they are mot in"
If you insist upon 1t, occasionally ,as O great
favor, you are permitted to accompany the
servant to the room in order to satisfy your
self.
There are. of course, exceptions to the gen.