After Morell gives his handkerchief to Lexy, how does he justify it to Burgess?

In George Bernard Shaw's play Candida, Morell gives Lexy, a fellow reverend, his handkerchief. Lexy is grateful to Morell, and the gesture cheers him up after experiencing the Mr. Burgess's rudeness.
Upon seeing this gesture, Mr. Burgess expresses his dismay. Mr. Burgess believes that one should not spoil your curate (an assistant clergyman). Morell explains to Mr. Burgess that he likes to treat his colleagues and employees with respect. Morell, a man of principle, believes that everyone should be treated equally, no matter the person's social or economic status.
In the scene, Morell states,

I always keep my curates in their places as my helpers and comrades. If you get as much work out of your clerks and warehousemen as I do out of my curates, you must be getting rich pretty fast.

This exchange between Morell and Mr. Burgess shows not only their tense relations but also the difference in the two men's personalities. In that particular passage, Morell also points out that his kindness helps boost the morale of his curates and employees, therefore inspiring them to work hard.