Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-07-07
Early Closing Again

SAVANNAH, GA, July 6.-Editor
Morning Nelcs: "A Congress Street
Merchan,'' Gas he styles himself), hav-
ing been allowed space in your columns
which he used to send another Sneer in be-
half of his principles" whilst at the
same time exhibiting a sufficient sense of
shame, or fear of his pocket, to be un-
willing to father his own production,
must trouble you for a little space in a
good cause.
The paper addressed by myself and
other gentlemen, clergymen and physi-
clans, meddled with no mans business.
The observations and experience of the
professions above mentioned prompted
them, in behalf of our common humanity,
to make certain recommendations, entire
lv within the scope of their callings, in
behalf of others whose pleadings to their
fellow beings had fallen upon callous ears
and hearts. Having done our duty to hui
mainly in this respect, we may be par
dOned for expressing surprise that dry
goods dealer should esteem himself better
fitted than physicians to say what is
healthful for the body, and that "a Con-
gress Street Merchant should know
more about the duties of the clergy than
theolOgians themselves. Verify, society
is being changed if such things can be
and not provoke a smile.
In some of these stores the poor girls
are not allowed to sit down at all from
early morn to late at night, but the en-
plovers sit good deal of the time, thus
giving their own bodies much needed rest.
Can anything present a holder contrast
than the care they take of themselves and
the want OF care they thus eX-
hibit for those under their con-
troll? Is there man in this city
possessing an ordinary degree of
intelligence, who does not know that the
standing on ones feet from O'Clock in
the morning until 10 to II O'Clock at
night, without relief, is simply dread
full in its wearing influence on the body?
And has the moral health of the commu-
nifty arrived at that stage of decadence
where its men of learning snd purity and
gentleness cannot be permitted to point
out these violations of good and prudent
conduct without subjecting themselves to
the sneers of the ignorant, the vulgar and
the selfish?
Now let us take another view of the
subject: Giving each and every employer
due credit for all the good motives which
may have inspired him in employing
'ssaleswOmen," there are certain buSi-
ness PRINCIPLES (if | may be allowed to
use the word which underlie the whole
subject and control its philosophy.
These principles are: first, that they are
EMPLOYED because ladies prefer to discuss
matters OF dress with ladies instead of
with gentlemen; second, because equally
as good work is gotten out of sales women
as salesmen-fOr less nlOney-indeed |
may safely assert that this latter is the
real business principle involved in the
whole philosophy Of those who employ
them.
l do not mean in any manner to detract
from the gentle tenderness of those ''pater-
familias'' chieftains who think enough of
the weary girls to let them sit down
little occasionally, to chat with each other
once in a while when not more probably
employed, and to be spared an occasional
reprimand before customers or curse when
in the presence of the ''boss." But do
mean that underlying all this tender and
solicitOus interest in the welfare of the
girls is the one broad, tdT-redching, iadiS-
Duta6le tact that the girls do more and
better and more profitable work for their
employers for less money than would
have to be paid to have the same work
done less salts tdctOrly to customers by
men.
Men. like ga Congress Street Mer-
chant" who discard from ''business"
any theological and religious suggestions,
are the class chiefly to blame for the ac-
knoWledged widespread decay of mer-
has so thoroughly engulphed many of the
finer instincts of humanity that one is
scarcely surprised now to hear a clergy
man assailed, because he teaches that
dollars may contribute to something more
than selfish gain, and business best pro-
notes health and happiness when its
structure blossoms with tenderness and
humanity.
For my own part, when engaged in pro-
noting a work of the kind, beneficial alike
to employer and employee, / shall take
share of my morals from the clergy, my
physiology from the physicians, and my
custom from those who esteem themselves
''as wise as serpents.' And whenever
these latter inject their venom against the
clergy who may be cooperating with the
medical fraternity in endeavoring to
tighten the burdens of life that weigh
heavily ON weary limbs, shall esteem it
my privilege to ''bruise the serpent's
head'' and call his elections slime,
whether the term is sufficiently poetic
and classic to suit GA Congress Street
Merchant or not. Respectfully yours,
LOUIS A. FALLIGANT.