Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1873-12-27
The servans.Girl Question.

The Servant.Girl Question.
This Is question that finds no satisfactory
solution. and on the contrary its difficulties
rather increase on the perplexed housekeeper.
The New York Tribune remarks, with reference
TO the proposition to institute training schools
for cooks and chambermaids, out of which Is to
come q millennium of well-cooked meat and
unbroken crockery, that this does not strike at
the difficulty. Our grandmothers all had
material in their kitchens quite a. crude and
ignorant to deal with As any Biddy fresh from
Kerry. Nor did they exercise any closer super
vision over their households than Is done BY
a majority of women nowadays who cannot
afford to employ a professional housekeeper
The real difficulty lies in the change in the re-
lative position Of mistress and servant. In the
days of our grsndmothers the old feudal spirit
pervaded the family. The servant felt that she
was an integral part of the whole. 1t was the
habit with our grandmothers, too, TO train white
girls from their childhood; they became as II
were inferior children, for whose health,
education, religion, and equipment for
marriage the mistress was responsible.
Now days Betty sells her work, as the grocer
does his sugar, and sells poor quality of work
for as much money as possible. Still she has
heart and conscience, but they only respond to
heart and conscience, not to mere technical
instruction. Twenty minutes spent by a mis-
tress In giving new servant the idea that they
both are human beings and Christians, entering
into relation which requires honesty, faithful
ness and womanly gentleness on both sides,
would do more 1.-THE Tribune says) toward saving
the crockery and producing decently cooked
vietuals than q full course of instructions BY
Blot or Miss Beecher on Honsewifery.
The legislature OF Maryland at its coming
session Will elect successor to United States
Senator Hamilton whose term expires March,
1ss5. There are several candi dates for the
position, among them being Mr.. Hamilton,
himself, Gov. whyte, s. Teacle Wallis, and
ex- Representative Merrick. The legislature
being democratic a Senator of that political
complexion will of course be elected. The Bal
timore Sun makes several suggestions, relative to
the enactment Of certain laws which it deems
necessary. Ii advocates the passage of law
making magistrates salaried officers the same
as judges, and says that as most Of the litigation
in which poor people are interested Is carried
on before justices, the idea of any judicial Off
Ger being dependent for his support upon the
fees and costs paid by suitors in his court would
seem TO be contrary to every sound principle,
and calculated to lead to numerous abuses. 1t
also suggests the passage of an act providing
that hereafter the execution of criminals be
conducted in private. This is a good sugges-
ton. Maryland could initiate to advantage the
example of many other states in this regard.
The marriage ceremony is not absolutely
necessary in New York TO establish the legal
relation Of man and wife. This has been set
tied heretofore, and in the recent suit of Bin
niger against Binipger the question of what
constitutes marriage under the laws of New
York again came up before Justice Davis. The
suit was for sdmeasurement OF dow err, the plain
tiff claiming to have been the wife of A. N
BiniDger, now dead. The proof was that for
eighteen years she lived with the defendant
under the name of Saunield, being treated BY
him as his wife, received by their acquaintance
as his wife, and receiving letters from him rec
ogniziBg the matrimonial connection. The
court thought the proof sufficient of the mar
rage, and directed Judgment for the plaintiff.
In the report of Librarian Spofford, printed
elsewhere, will be found some data showing the
great necessity for new building for the Lii
brary of Congress. Elsewh ere, also will be
found some details of the design accepted by
the commission on plans for the new building
Ii proposes building of the Italian Renaissance
order, with a central reading room and radiat-
ing alcoves and corridors, and has q capacity
for 10000 volumes, with provision for an ex-
tension to enable 1t to hold 1000, 600.
There are some cheering indications Of a re
vival of the southern trade. For instance, the
Charleston Nees Of the 18th instant notes the
presence In that port Of larger number of YES
sels than have been seen there at any one time
since 1865. In the cotton trade alone Charles
ton shows gain Of 20 900 bales over last year.
~~
The Chronicle has moved into its handsome
and convenient new building on the south side
OF the Avenue, between 9th and 10th streets. 1t
has also new press and everything else in
accordance with its fine new Office. Glad to see
our neighbors on either side, the Republican
and Chronicle, showing these signs Of prosper
Qua energy.
Considering the fact that King Alcohol is re-
sponsible for most OF the disorders which occur
on Christmas day, q correspondent suggests
that II would be well to close all places where
liquors are sold on that occasion hereafter.
Commemorating a sacred event, the day ought
TO be respected at least as much as Sunday.
Taxpayers who would save ive and quarter
per cent on their bills must pay the same on or
before the Slst instant. on which day the privi-
iege Of this abatement will cease.
An inquiry is raised by some of the exhibitors
at the Vienna exposition why the medals
awarded are not forthcoming. There seems to
be hitch some where.
CSI0K ANlTHISG YOU WANT. WHAT
b tSSi Ess DIRECTORY in the DAILY REPUB-
rSNATi0NAL BANK OF rae RtPJBLIC,
ADiyiderd of 5yefsJ per rs,a, - hssn 1850. is