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any great amount of benefits; bnt it will soon find out,
that, under good business management, it will be
on a firm financial basis. It is necessary to know that
wemust creep before we can walk.
As far as I am concerned, I wish such an association
the best success in all its undertakings, and, under
all circumstances, it will have my good will, and may
count upon my friendship, provided that its officers
and members act as men and gentlemen. I know how
a man feels when he has to stand behind the bar, be
cause there are no well-regulated hours, no prescribed
regular salary for certain duties, and, then, one is fre
quently obliged to stand the insults and abuse, at
times, of a certain class of customers. Why shouldn't
we bartenders have a union and protect ourselves, and
whyshouldn't webe respected aswell as any other man,
so much the more so as it requires ability and a level
head to become a first-class bartender, while a shoe
maker is absolutely unfit for our business?!
A man in our line, to be successful, must be quick,
prompt, courteous, able, a good student of human
nature, a good dresser, clean, and possessing several
more virtues. Therefore, a bartender should be re
spected and as well paid, proportionately, as a man in
any other line of business. It is proof that we could not
use every Tom, Dick, and Harry, because leading bar
tenders frequently command very large salaries. In
my own case, I had for a number of years $100 a week
paid to me. This is evidence that a man must know
and have sufficient ability and scientific knowledge to
fill the position, though every one is not as fortunate
as myself, and I have worked for as low an amount
as $15 a week, too.
How, boys, do what is right, and stick together! If
you do, you will soon better your own situations and
chance in life.