The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1886-06-23
THE SERVANT QUESTION.

Advantages and Disadvantages oil SUP.
ordinate Positions in the Household.
If one choose q subordinate position
it becomes their duty to fulfill its re-
quirements faithfully. II 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 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 acknowledge
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 a desire
on the part of servant to force GER
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 change. Perhaps
The folly of such a course would be plain
to such a servant if in buying stuff for a
gown a merchant should insist on Sc
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 mutilated
coin, the servant could have re-
course to the law, but the law can not
we'll reach unfaithful labor, and so each
servant must become "a law unto her.
self" There is, then, necessity for
educating the class in the principles OF
honesty and truth, SO trat they will de-
sire to yield faithful service for its value
received in wages from their employers.
The solution of the servant-girl ques-
ton 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. 1t is not impos-
sible that the main trouble lies in the
failure to look upon Homework as SIM
ply business, as shop-work and clerking
are businesses, and to so consider it,
Invested of all notions of it as 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 APP
piled to them, they fret under the in
difference shown them, and the DISPOSE
ton of all 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 q better room in the
great house than the kitchen in which to
entertain their friends. Here in brief is
the situation from the girls stand point.
II mistresses would study the question
in that view, and act with good iudg-
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 thei,
own conduct largely depends the char
aeter of the treatment they receive
The Present.