Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1868-05-22
THE VALUE or SKILLED LABOR,

It is unpleasant to read in our daily Jour
nails Of the destitution among our laboring
classes because Of the lack of work Yet it
is the fact that thousands are actually suffer
ing for want Of employment, and still tits 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 prostrated, will never find himself, for
any long time, unemployed if he desires
employment. lfa workman at any business
mechanical or intellectual-is not com
petent worker the place he desires viii be
sure to be filled by his superior, the master
Of his business Men, like the particles of
fluids, must ind 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, be-
ing secured. are retained. When the EN-
I ployer seeks the worker it may be consider
ed 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 the seeking. 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 a sufficient on
portunity to acquire 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
means of earning their bread and butter
and never imagined such a thing as enthusi-
asm 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 reputation as workmen
to take care and pains, use thought and
brains, as well as muscle, in its prosecution
Being only utomatons-breathing machines
their places are filed by work men as soon
as business becomes slack.
Yet it is not difficult for the worker to ar
rive at the head of his profession, whatever
it may be, il first he has any aptitude and
taste for it, All that is needed is apphca-
ton and an interest in his work 1t may
take years to accomplish the result, but the
time will have been proftably spent Once
a workman, in the highest sense of the
term, his future is secure. His efforts will
be appreciated an6 his proper position as
sured on very brief trial, even by a
stranger.
Iut9e ICtHdIhS Apply c4udlly well 10 tHOSe
who live by their brain rather than their
muscle; many a 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 fill
it. And possibly there is no more bare
faced assumption of responsibilities and
duties for which the pretender is totally
untitled than that of some would be literary
people; yet the mechanical branches of in
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 em
poyers. Such men should turn their at
tention to work requiring scarcely more
brains than that of the OK.
The skilled workman is to be en7icd
lie knows his own value, and feels thereby
pride in his business and q respect for
himself He is, in a measure, Independent
for his services are needed and will always
receive their full market value. 1t is bet
ter to be thorough workman in the lowest
branch of mechanical business than mere
hanger on in popular or genteel occupa
ton, VIII our young men and mechanics
consider this matter?- Scientific ABlerioaa.