Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-10-22

the man-servant whom they We're at
the time negotiating for was to receive
S. The man-servant was to be
creature not of this carth-at least SO
it seemed 10 me when | heard the num-
Der of things he would do. He was to
come fresh from the Diencrschule in
Frankfort. where servants received a
WondrouS training, if the statements
| i'll the prospectus are true. This
particular individual was to come as
/ butler and general house servant. who
nevertheless was willing to assist the
gardener in out-Of-door Work during
parts of each day. His certificate also
showed training as body servant. He
, could fold and press and take care Of
clothes. attend the horses and harness
Is. and | don't know what not be
sides
| felt that these phenomena had
lause other than the fact that Ger
many is a monarchy. where the lower
classes have few rights. ana | found it
, in q system. As soon as one decides to
seek domestic service in Germany he
goes to the Police Department of the
town or district in which he is living
and for a small fee go phennigs
, think obtains a book Ill which. among
other things. are recorded the follow
! ing facts: When and where the in
| lividual was born. where educated "
trained. his religion. whether married
or single. where, he has lived for the
past TWO years, ana 50 on. together
with 4 complete personal des, ription
The statements made therein being
/ verified J.,
| by the Police Department. the individ-
ual is permitted to seek service, taking
The book with him for tn, inspection of
his prospective employer. When an en-
| Sagement is made, the employer is
I obliged to fill out a blank furnished bv
the Police Department. and return the
! same within three days. or be subject
to fine In this form the employer
states for what kind Of work the SER
| want is engaged. what his wages are
! whether part Of his wages is paid i'll
/ clothes or not and the like. In other
words. his exact status in the house
! hold is defined The servants book is
! ;hen deposited with the Police Depart
nent. The facts given by tho. employ
crs are entered in il. and it is kept
! there until the enSa cement is discon-
! t.nued
When that happens. tho servant is
obliged TO take Il written t-stimonial
| 10 the police from his employer. as to
Row he has discharged his duties ana
| Why he is leaving his situation. whether
| voluntarily or because he has been
| dismissed. and if dismissed, the reason
must be given. This testimonial is
stamped by the police or burgomaster.
and its contents recorded in the ser
wants book. which is then handed
over to him in order that he may seek
| another situation. No servant can
get his book from the police without a
| testimonial. and no one is allowed 10
employ a servant without a book.
! This process goes on as long as the
/ person is in service. and thus is kept
. clear and accurate record Of his
/ whole career as n servant
| The advantages of this system are
obvious. In the first place. the on
ploycr can see at glance what the
servants personal character is. ana
what his proficiency. and this pre-
vents the waste of time and energy
resulting from getting the wrong sort
Of person-Which is quite as much
, to the advantage Of an honest, self
respecting servant as to the employer
Secondly. the employer is not only
preserved from taking into his house
a mendacious or thieving servant. q
dlunkard. or a immoral person. but
the fact that the servant knows all his
acts VIII go upon record exercises a
most wholesome restraint upon his
conduct. He begins. when young. to
nave an eye to his actions knowing
that hasty. wilful, or violent act may
leopardiZc his chances for life Con-
tlnued right-doing forms good habits
and good habits are three four,hs of
morality. The habits of one genera
ton become the innate moral sense Of
The next. Again. the restraint of tho
written word acts quite as effectively
upon the employer rs upon the ser
want He cannot unjustly accuse the
servant He cannot unjustly accuse
the servant of miEdemeanors unless he
= prepared to prove them as the ser
want can sue the employer for wrong
fully defaming his character-M Marion
McCallister, in Now York Post.
FRENCH CANADIAN &, TIT l.,