The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-11-14

however worthless, from the premises where they work unless 1t has been given by the proper authorities. We must in some way remove the complaint against us. especially against our young peo- pie. We must get them Into associations, clubs, and continue our work as represen- tatlve council until our influence shall have been felt by every domestic in our district, So as to impress them that we feel the need of redeeming our reputa- tion
 We want to urge the committee on domestic service. whose chairman Is Mrs T. A. Moore, to do everything possible to bring about proper instruction with regard to our improvement. A few days ago reporter remarked to me that there were 5000 people who were fed from the white mans table by colored servants, Now, there may be an exaggeration with regard to this number, but this Is a gen eral accusation and we have to deal with 1t or it will deal with us. All classes of domestics should remember that the unfayorable expressions of the people Tor whom they work regarding their dishon- esty is putting us under suspicion and if Is our duty to remove 1t. There Is too much said about colored cooks and nurses taking provisions from the white man table for those who do not work, ana IL is causing us to suffer no little hnmlla- ton from such vile accusations We are glad, however that there are many noble exceptions
 Many Are Faithful.
 Numbers of our people who are In service are faithful and true and their employers have confidence in them ana trust them anywhere and they would not have them to leave them for any thing. This kind of servant has the keys and the valuabes and home as long as he will remain This kind of people are doing much for the uplifting of the race. They may not be making speeches. or employing men, but they are making friends for the race by convincing their employers that the negro servant can be trusted Again great interest is centered in domestic servants and we should re- member what a great opportunity they have to impress other races with theif virtuous and moral lives. It Is through this class of people that the white people to a very great extent. measure the virtue of the race. They are the stan dard by which they judge our moral worth Therefore, we can see the impor- tance of impressing this class of laborers with the fact that they in this particular represent us. It Is left to this class or women more than to any other 10 give favorable ideas of our vtrtuous lives to those of other races who make senti- ment and give shape to public opinion respecting our women.
 Wrong Ideas.
 We can very materially help to de- velop our people by dignifying our do- nestle service We can study our wofk so closely and do 1t so faithfully that persons picked up from the streets cannot do 1t without preparation Many of our young people look down upon domea.c service as if they belong to a royal family whose ancestry had inherited a fortune of blood and wealth. But this IS great mistake We should remember that dig nhed labor faithfully performed adds to such inheritance instead or subtracting from it. Therefore. we, like all other | people, in adjusting ourselves to all | classes of labor which is the foundation | of our civilization. as 1t has been or all l peoples, should not underrate it's fmpor- tance and place an imaginary stigma upon it and do it violence to righteous | cause and msead our young people. All | classes of labor are honorable. What | shall we expect from your service as do- | mestics? Will you hold up the reputation of our laborers? Will you. by your hon | esty, virtue and chastity. convince the | landlords and their associates that you | belong to people who possess the car dinal clements of development? We have | right to expect you to contribute some | thing towards the good of our people through your daily labors, by your good service. and tonight we call upon you who are engaged in these places to help us to make our meetings attractive and in | teresting so that we may reach every | domestic In service and put into his or her mind the proper idea of life, that we may look forward with hopefulness and profit to the race through the channel | of domestic service.