Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1871-01-06
Objectionable Farm Help.

In nothing do farmers run a greater risk
than in the employment of hired men who
are to work with their sons in the cult
vation of the farm; and, it must be con-
tessed, that in few things do they mani
fest so little concern. When it comes
time to commence spring work, the rule is
to engage the first man that comes along,
providing he will work for the wages
offered, and providing, also, he appears to
have the requisite physical qualifications
to enable him to use the spade, plow or
pitchiOrk. Some questions may be asked
about the candidates experience in farm
ing but with these all catechsing ceases,
| and bargain is struck. Is the stranger
applying to you for employment freshly
discharged from a Jail or penitentiary?
Was he convicted of vagrancy or of some
crime against society by the police conrt in
some large city, and judgment suspended
forty-eight hours providing he would leave
town? Is he grossly immoral, irreligfous.
Incorporate or licentious? Is he vulgar,
indecent or profane in his languageg In
too many cases no answer is sought to
these and equally important questions.
Now, this same farmer, who shows so
little interest in ascertaining the moral and
intellectual character of the man who is to
form part of his household, and who is
TO be the intimate companion of his sons,
would be much more particular and much
more diligent in his inquiries if he was
about to purchase a horse, albeit he did not
expect to keep him six months, and was at
liberty to trade him off in q weeks time.
He would satisfy himself that the horse
that was to plow his corn, draw the manure
from his stable, and carry his grist to mill,
was not vicious. The disposition of the ami
NAL in relation to jumping fences, kicking,
baking, would be n subject of earnest in
quiry. This farmer who thinks that he
can take the measure of q man morally
and intellectually, as we'll as physically, by
simply looking at him, will not trust so
much to his eyesight when he comes to
buy horse. A horse which is to mate
another in team for plowing, and be
turned into pasture with a lot of colts.
must have character. He must be an
upright horse as well as a strong and docile
one.
Few persons are ever placed in a posi-
ton to exercise so much influence over
the manners and morals of farmers bows
as are the hired men who are put to labor
with them in the field. They enjoy a IA
miliarity and an equality with them such
as is seldom found in other pursuits AS
rule the greater strangers they are when
they come on the farm, the greater will be
their opportunities for evil. Country bows
are fond of new comers, and manifest great
curiosity in learning about their previous
pursuits and companions They are quick
TO pick up slang phrases, and are often
easy subjects to be taught vice and immor-
allty, The farmer, himself is often away
on business or is employed in superintend.
ing affairs at distance from his sons and
his hired men. At such times there are
Tree opportunities for the corrupt influence
OF evil communications" Again, the
hired men often share the same apartment
at night with the boys of the family. so
that by day and by night, while at work
and at rest, the boys and the hired men are
together.
1t matters little how wisely the father
may direct his household, how tenderly |
the mother may watch over the moral and |
social development of her sons they are |
almost sure to fall the prey to pernicious
hablts and to evil conversation, if un-
worthy men are placed with them as labor
ers. good woman once said TO the
writer of this article, Z" / send my sons to
your school to receive an instruction, and
am more than satisfied with their ad.
but | am sorry to say that the
boys in the street educate them" The
counterpart OF this may be found ON many
Western farms, where the boys have re.
lned parents and are sent to good schools.
Their companions on the farm are slovenly
n their appearance, uncouth in their man.
lers, lax in their morals, and profane in
heir language.
This state of things will be so till farm. {
rs exercise as much judgment and mani. {
est as much scrutiny in the selection of a /