The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-07-19

times or be 1t not, the TACT is tnat nlsD
honors seem to be in store for those OF
them who prove to BIO exceptions to bad
rule by becoming energetic, faithful and
successful boodler chasers.
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SERVANTS-GOOD AND BAD.l
1t is stated that many positions in no.
tells and factories here formerly held by
negroes have been filled by whites, and
that numerous situations once monopo-
lized almost by the former, of late have
been lost to them.
And it is further said that a committee
Of the True Reformers Society is now en-
gagged in investigating the cause of this
unwelcome change. with a view of finding
out what can be done to remedy condi-
lions that bode little good for that race,
We do not know that conditions are
as extreme as stated, but certain 1t is
that so far as colored female domestics
are concerned there never was a greater
demand for them here, and never were
higher wages paid, and never was their
service so unsatisfactory.
Housekeeping nowadays has little charm
in it. The general complaint is that ser
wants are possessed by a spirit Of unrest
and will not stay at any one place long
They come and go In endless procession,
and seldom is the latest arrival an improve
ment upon her predecessor AS rule
they do not ask for and often do not need
recommendations from their last employ
ers. They can go forth and find employ
ment in one place or another without
trouble.
In communities where white domestics
are generally employed, testimonies as to
their. character are invariably required;
but not so with negro servants. AS often
as otherwise, they are hired without hav-
ing to furnish certificates as to their
skill, industry and honesty. The fact
is that housekeepers are so desperate for
lack Of help they are willing to take the
chances" involved in placing stranger
in charge of the kitchen, with opportun-
ties for access to the whole house. The
wonder is that they do not suffer more
than they do from the dishonesty of these
tramp servants. AS it is-and it Is quite
rema rkable-we seldom hear of any con-
siderable robbery attributed to this cause
or source
The wages that are paid to servants
here are sometimes compared, to our dis
advantage, with the wages paid domestics
in the North. but the fact ought not to
be overlooked that here the COOK, Tor IN
stance, usually has one or more depend
ents whom she feeds-a practice not per-
mitted in the North.
Another difficulty with these servants
is that they take little or no pride IN
their work, and too often resent advice
and instruction. Indeed, IL there Is an
independent character In this country, 1t
Is the female domestic.
We are speaking now of the many;
that there are exceptions to the prevail
Ing rule, we doubt not. Some house
keepers we daresay, are blessed with
gems" Of servants, and they ought to be
exceedingly grateful that they are SO
fortunate, while so many of their sisters
are the victims of FESTIVE, inexperienced
and unsatisfactory help.
Nor do we 90 so far as to assert that
in communities where white help is usu"
ally employed, the housekeeper has no SER
want problem to vex her. We understand
the contrary is the case, but, quite nat
urally, oursown grievances are uppermost
In our minds What the remedy ISL
there be any-we do not know.
The True Reformers need not bother
themselves about the women of their
race; they can take care Of themselves.
That they do. and they take care or
many men, too. Therefore, the commit
tee can have all the more time to look
out for those men who are said TO nave
been ousted by the substitution OF white
| labor for black