Natchitoches spectator. [volume] (Natchitoches, La.) 1867-18??, 1868-05-07
The Value Of Skilled Labor.

1t IS unpleasant to read in. our daily
journals of the restitution among our
laboring classes because of tae lack of
work. Yet it is a fact THAT thousands
are actually suffering for want OF em-
lp,oyment, and still it is no less the fact
that skilled labor is, in as great demand
now as ever. The Thorough master of
his business, unless that business is en-
tirely Frustrated, will never find him
self, for any longer time, unemployed if
he desires employment. IT a workman
at any business-meehanica or intel
lectual-is not a competent worker the
place he desires will be sure to be filed
by his superior, the master of his bust
ness. Men, like the particles of fluid,
must find their level, and neither can
rise above it without outside aid. The
man in any business, whose sole use and
value is to fill a hole accidentally left
open, does not amount to much. He
only is valuable whose services are
eagerly sought, and, being secured, are
retained. When the employer seeks
the worker, it may be considered that
the latter is worth the seeking; but there
are thousands who might be sought, but
who never would take the trouble to
make themselves worth seeking. These
ssslumps'' of mechanics, making pre-
q
right, are stumbling blocks in the way
of really worthy men. We speak not
of the apprentice and learner who have
neyea had a sufficient opportunity to
acquire a full knowledge of their bust
ness, but of those who, being either ln-
| fitted by taste or talent for their chosen
business, look upon it solely as n means
of earning their bread and butter and
never imagined such a thing as interest
| or enthusiasm in their work. Such men,
even in the best of times, are suffered
and borne with, rather than. valued in
| the shop. They may do the work set
before them, but never care enough
about it's character when finished or
their own reputation as workmen, to
take care and, pains, use thought and
brains, as web as muscle, in its prose
cution. Being only automatons-b breath
ing machines-their places are filed by
workmeR as soon as business becomes
slack. a s.l,,.- 1871 si.1 c atg. "a. p
Yet it is not difficult for the work er
to arrive at, the head of his profession,
| if first he has any aptitude and taste
for it. All that is needed is application
and an interest in his work. 1t may
| take years to accomplish the result, but
| the time will have been profitably spent,
| Once a work. imam, in the highest sense
4
of the term, his future is secure. His
| efforts will be appreciated and his
proper position assured on very brief
trial, even by a stranger. 5p
These remarks apply equally as well
| to those who live by their brains rather
| than their muscle; many so-called
editor is such simply by the circum-
stance that no proper man has found
and occupied the position assumed 10y
him who cannot properly fill it. And
possibly there is no more bare-faced as
sumption of responsibilities and duties
for which the pretender is totally un'
fitted than that of some would-be lit.
erary people; yet the mechanical
branches of industry are thronged with
such apologies for workmen; men who
have no love for their work, no respect
for themselves, and no regard for the
| interests of their employers. Such men
should turn their attention to work re-
curing scarcely more brains than that
of an OK. r'r Jig tQ --1 H3 u ''.j q.
The skillfnl workman is to be envied
| He knows his own value and feels
thereby pride in his business and a
respect for himself He is, in a meas
ure, independent, for his services arc
needed and will always receive their full
/ market value. 1t is better to be thor
ough workman in the lowest branch OF
mechanical businessman mere hanger
on in popular or genteel occupation.
| Will our young men or mechnic consider
| this MISUNDERSTANDING American.
| FRAUDS m ARKANSAS ELECTION
wv Ell. From ~ NnN