Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1883-05-25
DOMESTIC SERVICE.
Annual Meeting of the Association.

The Vermont Domestic Service Association
held ito annual meeting IN last week Thurs
day. The report presented by the president,
Mrs. L. ~. Hopkins, was in substance as
follows: "Thc officers of this Association
have found their duties this year somewhat
aborious and perpleXing. One of the first OF
these was to draw up in proper form and
transmit to the German Cousul-gcncra in
New J ok, duly attcsted declaration Of the
purposes of the Society, which he was to
lcgalizc and forward to Madame de Koerber,
before she could do any work in Germany.
For a long time after receiving his acknowl-
edgment of this document, nothing more
WIGS heard Of it. But in Madame de
Koerbers las; letter, dated May LIST, she
says, "Iour declaration is now in the hands
of the highest government authorities in
Dresden, and was to be forwarded by them
TO the Foreign Office in Berlin through the
leading ciergymen in Dresden" "Eu-
ropcaus," she adds, ''do not act as quickly
as Americans, but once they undertake to do
a thing they do it we'll"
In previous letter Of April 18th, she
says, II may soon be in u position to send
to you from Germany, say a hundred young
women conscientious selected and under
CsIOll, Dut IL llust DC COLL
di,ion of prepayment of passage from
Dresden via Hamburg to Burlington" And
then she asks if the State govci nment
would not advance the money, to be repaid
by employers.
This sounds very chimeiical, but, after all,
if the need of domestic help is as great
throughout the State as has been represented,
and the men Of Nerl. ont would be willing
to make strenuous effort to relieve their
wives of their heavy burdens, might not this
be very good plan and opening for them !?
AS Madame de Koerber further says, "The
other State governments do aid emigration,
and why should not Vermont do the
same?"
Another duty which devolved upon the
officers was TO make business arrangements
with the Allan Line II. NJ. S. This called
for a great deal of correspondence, but was
finally satisfactorily accomplished. A gem
tleman OF this city having kindly given them
the required guaranty OF our solvency and
good faith the Allan Line have constituted
the Association their agents, thereby giving
us some valuable privileges. The Hamburg
line stands ready at any time to make a sim,
liar arrangement,
There have been in all ten applications
made to Madame de Koerber through the
Society, but when most wanted the women
were not Immediately forthcoming and
most of the applications were Withdrawn.
All the ladies wished for Scotch girls only.
Madame De kocrber accordingly applied 10
phianthropic persons in Edinburgh, who are
her cordial supporters. The result of all is
that three young women have come safely
over, and are now at work in Burlington,
intending faithfully it seems, to repay their
passage money, as agreed. There have been
several requests from other parts of the State
for information IN regard to oLr Society, but
so far nothing has come OF them.
Thus our relations remain much as they
were year ago, except that this Assocla-
ton has done all in its rower to put itself
into good working order.
In Europe much preliminary hard work
has been done, hut no definite organization
has as vet been effected.
But these unavoidable delays do not in the
least impair our high opinion of Madame de
koerber's philanthropy aud noble aims. AS
for her ability TO carry out her far, reaching
schemes, we can only, as before, await de.
veopments.
She herself, though greatly tried in strength
and patience, is as full of hope and confidence
as ever. Matters she says, "are moveng
much more slowly than had expected, but
have not moments doubt that shall vet
get all / want"
The Association will hold another meeting
next month"; Meantime correspondence is
solicited from all parts of the State, with
view TO finding out whether there is now any
great lack Of domestic seovice, and whether
German wamen would be acceptable under
the conditions named above. If so this
society would like to be authorized to send
for them as soon as Madame de Koerber or
her co-workcrs, are able to supply them.
Letters may be addressed 10 the president,
or 10 the secretary, No. . Elmwosd avenue.