Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-04-28
Tho Value Of skillsd Labor.

II is unpleasant to read in our daily
journals Of the destitution among our
laboring classes because Of the lack OF
work. Yet it is the fact that thousands
are actually suffering for want of employ
ment, and still ii is no less the fact that
skilled labor is in as great demand now
Cd ever. The thorough master of his
business, unless that business is entirely
prostrated. will never find himself, for
any long time, unemployed If he desires
employment II workman at any busi'
ness-mechanical or intellectual-is not
competent worker the place he desires
will be sure to be filled by his superior,
the master of his business. Men, like
the particles Of fluids, must find their
level, and never can rise above it without
outside aid. The man in any business
whose sole use and value is to fill 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,
who never would take the trouble to
make themselves worth the seeking.
I These slumps" Of mechanics, making
pretense to name to which they have no
right, are stumbling blocks in the way Of
really worthy men. We speak not Of
the apprentice and learner, who have
never had sufficient opportunity to &C.
quire a full knowledge of their business,
but of those who, being either untitled by
taste or talent for their chosen business,
look upon it solely as a means of earn
ing their bread and butter, and never
imagine such a thing as enthusiasm or
interest 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 its
character when finished or their own rep
utation as workmen to take care and
pains, use thought and brains as we'll as
muscle, in its prosecution. Being only
misunderstanding machines-their
places are filled by workmen as soon as
business becomes slack.
Yet it is not difficult for the worker to
arrive at the head of his profession,
whatever it may be, 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 accom-
plish the result, but the time will have
been proftably spent. Once work
man, in the highest sense of the term,
his future is secure. His efforts will be
appreciated and his proper position as
sured on very brief trial, even by a
stranger.
These remarks apply equally well to
those who live by their brains rather than
their muscle; many so-called editor is
such simply by the circumstance that no
proper man has found and occupied the
position assumed by him who cannot
properly gil it. And possibly there is no
more bare-faced assumption of respon-
sibilities and duties for. which the pre-
tender is totally untitled than that of
some would-be literary people; yet the
mechanical branches of industry are
thronged with such apologies for work
men-men who have no love for their
work, no respect for themselves, and no
regard for the interests of their employ
ers. Such men should turn their atten-
ton to work requiring scarcely more
brains than that of the OK.
The skilled workman is to be envied.
He knows his own value, and feels
thereby a pride in his business and
respect for himself He is in measure
independent, for his services are needed,
and will always receive their full market
value. 1t is better to be thorough
workman in the lowest branch of me-
chanical business than mere hanger-on
in a popular or gsnteel occupation. Will
our young men and mechanics consider
this matter 2-Soientifc American.