The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1867-08-30
THBIMPORTAKOB OF LEARNING
A TRADE.

We do not intend. uader this heading.
10 speak of the importance of becoming
an apprentice to any mechanical business,
but of the importance of learning-acquir-
ing-a trade, of becoming a workman at
the business chosen. II is not enough
that young man goes iuto shop and
works for longer or shorter period as a
neorhyte, but that he becomes master of
the rudimeBts of his business. The coun-
try is filed with unfinished mechanics,
every trade is oyerburdened with the mis-
cradle hangers on who, protesting knowl
edge of business, bring it into dsrepute
by their incompetency. There is no bond
IN this country by which a master can
control the time Of an apprentice fora pc
rod saffi silent TO remunerate the employ.
er for tine losses sustained In the early
-'ages OF The apprenticeship. or to give
The apprentice proper knowledge of his
business. The apprentice is Tree to leave
his master and employment, whenever. in
his opinion, be has collected scraps enough
of super fetal knowledge to set up as an
independent worker. He becomes dis
eauz fed vito the character of his work or
other work and larger pay. he quits his
masters employment just when his ser
vices have begun to be valuable, thus
committing fraud upon his employer
and doing great injury to himself
In no case Is the term required to learn
a trade too long. According to the value
and difficulties OF the business, il varies
from three TO seven years, and the most
faithful and observant apprentice, after
having filed his iuli term OF apprentice
ship, fluids he has much to learn before
he can honestly claim TO be entirely and
thoroughly competent. For at least a few
months the apprentice is a cons taut source
OF anxie,y and expense. From want of
xperlenee, or from herdlessness, or dis
ike 10 the particular job given him, he
break tools and ruins work enough 10 a /
week u cover all the profits of his work
Tor MOUTHS. The employer bears with /
this. patiently or impati.ntly as the case
may BE-, 10 he nope that during the last
part OF ne novtiate's apprenticeship he
may reap some return from the profits of
his work Uader such circum stances III
must be very vpxaIious to have an appren-
uce leave just when he Is becoming, in
some measure, useful. Yet il is a com
mon occurrence IN thI4 country. Appren
tees Sc N too often to be devoid of con
science aud wantirg in the principles of
honesty.
Nor is such conduct of any real, per-
manent advantage to the apprentice. He
becomes the B ,hemiar of the workshop. /
4 wait driven hitler and tbither, having |
a smatteriug of knowledge and yet uuder.
standing no one thing thoroughly. HIS /
services are not sought; he is only a |
''Jaok at a PINCH" to be used merely to
fill space otherwise empty. Scores of
such half-baked mechanics can be picked .
up any day; they inf4st' shops, torment
employers. and disgrace the business they
falsely profess TO unders land. They are
industrial Migrants, if such term is per-
to be stunned and despised by
every honorable workman. - Unstable
as water they cannot excel"
The ambition of the apprentice to be
ranked among journeymen is a lsudable
one when properly directed, but it can
only be realized by an honest and persist
snt sticking to his obvious and plain du-
ties. II he ever expects to teach he must
hrst be taught; IT he desires to direct he
should submit to direction What this
country needs in the industrial arts Is fin
lshed workmeu. They are scarce aud al
ways in demand A competent and intel
ligent workman is seldom wan ting good |
30. When business is slack tie incom
pe'ents are first discharged, while the val
liable workman is kept, often at pecuni
airy loss to his employer, simply because
It i difficult to fill his place.
These considerations have nothing new
10 them. but because they are so trile and
hackueyed they are not enough consider
ed by apprentices. We earnestly invite
heir attention to the subject, believing
t will be to their present and prospective
advantage to deal honestly n this as well
81 other respects Scientific american.