The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1886-03-06

absolutely necessary. About the only
thing we receive which gives US a faV
orable opinion of man when he ap.
plies for work is an introduction from
a mutual friend or letter of recon-
mendation; but the friend or the writer
of the letter rarely knows more of the
man S real character than we do, and
the recommendation in reality testify
only to his ability to do work. They
tell us nothing of the mans life after
business hours-whether he passes il
in a respectable and honorable way.
or devotes it to drinking and gambling.
An association is to be formed for TIE
purpose of probing into this thing.
eve think of organizing detective
system for the purpose of exercising
surveillance over our employees. The
number of disreputable places in Chi
cago is not so large but that we can
secure pretty correct idea of a mans
habits without going to any very heavy
expense. | was member of such a
society in New York, and it was of in
calcul able benefit to me. As an exam
pie of its workings, let me show you
this brief report" said the gentleman,
displaying a ruled, partially printed
blank. 1t read as follows:
ITO subscriber 2O7: The person of whom
you inquire is about twenty-six years old I'M
married. Has been in New York three years,
and bears a good character. Often visits
Gamblfng-houses. Drinks, but not to excess.
Lives extensively"
''This young man," continued the
merchant ..came to me with the very
highest recommels 4 o.4..
cashier, and should have employed
him had it not been for the report
from the protective society. You can
very readily understand why ! did not
wish a man who frequented gambling
houses, even though so quietly that his
friends knew nothing of it, handle my
money. Neither would | knowingly
employ man who drank, even if he
never did get drunk. This young fell
low could not understand why | re-
fused his application. Many trusted
employe in New York at that time
wondered why his resignation was
asked for, or how his employer learned
that he occasionally played faro or
went out with a convivial party"
''But if a man is honest and faithful,
and attends strictly to business, do you
store it up against him that after bust
ness hours he CANDLES or drinks lit
tleP"
"We most assuredly do. Among
business men the sentiment against
dissipation in employees is growing
stronger and stronger. The first thing
we ask now about a new man is: Does
he drink or gamble? and we purpose
answering these questions through the
new society Experience has taught
to be trusted-are those who abstain
from whisky and cards, and | venture
the assertion that ten years from now
the drinking man will find difficulty in
securing any employment-much less
position of responsibility. A young
man may drink and gamble in modera-
ton for years and still attend to his
work, but he is sure to come to grief,
and his employers must suffer. We do
not say that every drinking man and
every gambler shall be discharged, but
we are going to find out who of our
employees have bad habits, and you
may be sure they will be given no posi-
ton of trust or profit.
81 do not care to give you the names
of any of the members of the new assoI
citation. Suffice to say that there will
be over two hundred, that they include
many of our principal business men,
and that enough operatives will be en-
ployed to keep us posted on what we.
wish to know" Chicago Cor. Mime
dpolis Commercial Gazette.