The Arizona sentinel., 1886-06-26
THE SERVANT QUESTION.

 Advantages and Disadvantages of Sub
 ordinate Positions in the Household.
 If one choose a subordinate position it becomes their duty to fulfill its re- quirements faithfully. If they are fitted for higher position let them of course refuse lower, but so long as circum- stances keep them in subordinate position, let them prove true worth of character by an honest discharge of its duties. If every servant understood that they entered a family as a sub ordinate, and would become willing to accept that situation, they would be happier themselves and make others happier. There would be no conflict, then, about rights. That social equal ity is claimed does not entitle them to it, and if special privileges are conced- ed, it is no evidence of an acknowledg- ment of that claim; these concessions are often made from necessity, and a servant who exacts them will have no sure footing in any family.
 Another source of trouble is desire on the part of servant to force cer- tain manner of work upon one employer because it was required by others, previ- ously served. The tastes and mode of living of one mistress are forced upon another with unreasonable persistence, and the servant becomes indignant at the suggestion of a change. Perhaps the folly of such a course would be plain to such a servant if in buying stuff for gown merchant should insist on se- lectlng it himself and then demand her money for something which did not suit her at all. A servant who would thus insist upon her own pleasure in her work would be apt to resist such en- croachments upon her rights. Now the mistress is entitled to just as much con- sideration in her requirements as a servant is. Justice toward each other is necessary, and this demands faithful labor on the servants part and faithful payment for such service on the part of the mistress. If payment should be made in counterfeit paper or mutllated coin, the servant could have re- course to the law, but the law can not well reach unfaithful labor, and so each servant must become "a law unto her. self" There is, then, a necessity for educating the class in the principles of honesty and truth, so that they will de- sire to yield faithful service for its value received in wages from their employers.
 The solution of the servant-girl ques- tion is probably further in the future than that of the problem engaging the attention of combined capital and labor. The difficulty of getting and keeping good girls for the performance of house. hold duties is quite as great now as it has been at any time. It is not impos- sible that the main trouble lies in the failure to look upon house-work as sim ply business, as shop-work and clerking are businesses, and to so consider it, divested of all notions of it as a social arrangement Mistresses of the house. holds can not understand why poor girls should not jump at the chance to work for them, and enjoy comfortable homes and reasonable pay in preference to do- ing shop-drudgery at Starvation prices. The poor girls can give a sufficient an- swer. They hate the term servant as ap- piled to them, they fret under the in difference shown them, and the disposi- tion of ail members of the family to treat them as mere conveniences rather than as persons of pride, dignity and womanly character. They are willing to work hard, but will not submit to unreasonable tasks; and while their de- mands are modest, they still have wishes and tastes like other mortals. They would like to have little time now and then for self-improvement and social pleasures, and better room in the great house than the kitchen in which to entertain their friends. Here in brief is the situation from the girls standpoint. If mistresses would study the question in that view, and act with good judg- ment and in a generous manner, they would be able to keep their help with fewer Interruptions. Likewise should girls be aware that in the shop, count ing-room or household they are not paid to play the tyrant, but to do what is demanded of them, and that on theiI own conduct largely depends the char acter of the treatment they receive Tue Present.