The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-11-07
sh,rkins worA.

The article below, which we copy from late
number of the United States Economist, we com
mend TO the careful perusal of every parent who
has sops to 4" bring up" The fact mentioned by
our San Francisco and New York contemporaries
exists also in every city, town and village in this
State-namely, that good, industrious mech anics
earn far more money than the average OF pro-
fessionals,' and more than twice as much as
clerks. statesmen. etc. In regard TO the social
standing OF the two classes, all of that is rapidly
undergoing change.
A san Francisco paper complains of the ten
dency OF young men to crowd into the city from
the country, and to engage in business and pro-
fessiona pursuits in place Of farming and mechau-
ical industry. AS an evidence of the folly of this
course IL represents that while good mechanics In
that city can obtain constant employment at
wages averaging 800 per month. clerks and sales
men can only command $40 or $50 month, and
lind it difficult to obtain employment even az
these prices. a11r Imam
! The complaint of our California contemporary
is common to all great cities. Ia this city clerks,
book keepers and statesmen do not command, as o
general rule. half the wages that is paid to good
mechanics We have known well educated but
unemployed physicians and lawyers lament that
they were not mechanics, and envy the IS day
that is paid to brckiayers and carpenters. IL Is q
fact, that in New York at the present time,
skilled WORK of almost every trade are better
of, and enjoy more of the solid comforts of life
than the cro~ds OF professionals and clerks that
have TO work more hours for less money. Or
course there are many clerks and statesmen that
command several thousand dollars year for their
services, but the lucky or-to speak mpre cor
rectly the able ones are few in comparison to
the number who are obliged to keep up ap-
rearances', and support a family on $500 q year
or lees. Ii Is also fact, that while gentle
manly" avocations are overcrowded there is no
complaint of this kind in reference to skilled
workmen. II is proverb, that good mechanic
can obtain employment any where, while the
number of idle statesmen, book keepers, lawyers
and doctors lie constantly increasing.
This ia serious evil and, unfortunately, II Is
one that is likely TO increase in place of being d.
minished. This is largely due to the iDjudicious
conduct of parents who think that II Is disgrace
for their sons to begin life the same as their pa
rents and work for living. Our colleges are
crowded by young men who desire learning not
for Tvs own sake and for the intrinsic excellence
of knowledge, but as means for getting . an
easy living" And, as IL this evil were not
enough, there are actually institutions spe.
cially established for grinding raw country lads
into full f1edged merchants. shipping clerks and
booB-keepers, in a few weeks time, and at the
lowest possible price," la this way the cities are
overstocked With professionals " to the neglect
of honest industry.
II il time that sounder views should prevail
upon This subject. Parents should understand that
1t is their duty to give their children sound In
dustral education as well "a good natural culture
The foremost men in New York have risen from
the workshop. A trade. well learned is mental
discipline IN itself. II trains young men 10 over.
come physical obstacles by energy and skill.
One of the most eminent and popular men in
this city, of high culture and world vide reputa.
ton possessing all the advantages of wealth aud
Federal and state patronage, gave lis son col
lege education indeed but he also gave him in
stIuction 10 the theory and practice of sgricui-
ture. The consequence is, that the young man,
instead Of being useless hsDger-on of society, Is
now one OF the rrOst fourshiDg farmers Of tie
West, and brings the advantages OF his high cui
ture TO bear on the practical every day Affairs OF
life.
IL would be easy to enlIrge upon this theme.
This growing dislsste for industrial pursuits Is one
of the worst features OF the times. There is dan
ger of the whole class Of American artisans aud
mechanics dying out. and of our workshops pass
| ing entirely INTO the hands Of foreigners. Per.
| sons who fan TO give their children asound in-
dustrisl education fail TO comprehend one OF the
| most significant signs of the times. This may be
regarded a. the grand era Of labor, and there will
be no career. no future for those who are not
qualified by hand rs well as brain culture to &C
cept the destiny that is opening TO our country.