The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1868-01-16
The importance Of Learning . Trade.

We do not intend, under this heading,
10 speak Of the Importance Of becoming
an apprentice to am mechanical bust
ness, but OF the Importance of learning
-acqniring-a trade, of becoming a
workman at the business chosen. 1t is
not enough that young man goes info
shop and works for longer or shorter
period as q neophyte, but that he be-
comes master Of the rudiments of his
business. The country is filled with un-
finished mechanics, every trade is over
burdened with the miserable hangers-on
who, protesting knowledge Of bust
ness, bring it into disrepute by their in
competency. There is no bond in this
country by which master can control
the time Of an apprentice for q period
sufficient to remuneratc the employer
for the losses sustained in the early
stages OF the apprenticeship, or TO give
the apprentice proper knowledge OF his
business. The apprentice is free to
leave his master and employment, when
ever. in his opinion, he has collected
scraps enough Of superficial knowledge
to set up as an independent worker. He
becomes dissatisfied with the character
OF his work or the amount OF compensa-
ton, and, finding other work and larger
pay, he quits his masters employment
just when his services have begun to be
valuable, thus committing fraud upon
his employer and doing great injury to
himself.
In no cese is the term required to
learn u trude too long. According to
the value and difficulties of the business,
it varies from three to seven years, and
the most faithful and observant appren-
tice, after having filled his full term Of
apprenticeship, finds he has much to
learn before he can honestly claim to be
entirely and thoroughly competent
For at least few months the apprentice
is a constant source of anxiety and ex-
pense. From want of experience, or
from heedlessness, or dislike to the
particular job given him, he breaks tools
and ruins work enough in week to
cover all the profits of his work for
months. The employer bears with this,
patiently or impatieutly as the case may
be in the hope that during the last part
Of the noyitiate's apprenticeship he may
reap some return from the profits of his
work. Under such circumstances it
must be very vexatious to have an ap-
prentice leave just when he is becoming,
in some m easure, useful. Yet it is
Apprentices seem too often TO be devoid
of conscience and wanting in the princi-
pies of common honesty.
Nor is such conduct of any real, per
manent advantage to the apprentice
lie becomes the Bohemian of the work
shop, waif driven hithcr and thither,
having a smattering Of knowledge and
yet understanding no one thing thor
oushly. His services are not sought he
is only PINCH" to be used
merely 10 fill q space otherwise empty.
Scores of such half baked mechanics
can be picked up any day; they infcst
shops, torment employers, and disgrace
the business they falsely profess to
understand. They are industrial va
grants, if such term Is permissible, to
be Stunned and despised by every hon.
orable workman. "Unstable as water
they cannot excel
The ambition of the apprentice to be
ranked among journeymen is laudable
one when properly directed, but it can
only be realized by an honest and per-
sistent sticking to his obvious and plain
duties. If he ever expects to teach he
mnst first be taught; if he desires to
direct lie should submit to direction
What this country needs in the indus
trial arts is finished workmen. They
are scarce and always in demand. A
competent and intelligent workman is
seldom wanting good job. When bust
ness is slack the inccmpetents are first
discharged, while the valuable workm an
is kept, often at a serious pecuniary loss
to his employer. simply because it is
difficult to fill his place.
These considerations have nothing
new in them, but because they are SO
trite and hackneyed they are not enough
considered by apprentices. We earn
estly invite their attention to the sub.
ject, believing it will be their present
and prospective advantage to deal hon
estly in this as well as other respects
Scientific american.
A Mrs. Drury has been imposing or
the people Of Davenport, Iowa, anG
neighboring cities, as an Independent
collecting agent Of freedman associa