Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1869-07-29
THE cA1L1Nas.
Skilled laborer. and A.ndicraft'me'

49,
Skilled laborers and handicraftsmen
seem to be just now I" masters Of the
situation It is sometimes q trade
or class Of trades which is in the as
cendant, and sometimes another. But
always the truth holds good that the
man Who has an art, which it has re-
quired time to learn, possesses the ad-
vantage over him who car only do the
labor which simply requires the exercise
Of strength and muscle. There IL an
unreasonable and unfortunate prejudice
10 this country against mechanical en-
ploymeuts. One reason for this preju-
dice We have never seen noticed in
the various discussions in tho journals.
In most European countries, the man
who puts his son to learn q trade has to
pay a premium to his employer for the
instruction Of tho lad in his business.
No doubt the discontinuauce Of this Gus
tom in this country has many advan-
tages. But with all that can be said in
favor Of the change, it has one bad re-
suit. The value and respsctability OF
mechanical pursuits are undsr-esti-
mated, and n Of the very best avenues
% wealth and responsibility is thus Vir-
tuslly closed to many who would prize
what they were required to pay for.
There is an undue prspoudsrancs Of
uou.producers ; men who only handle
what the skill Of others has created,
Every handling adds to the cost and
many necessaries Of life are thus heay-
lily and, in many cases, uesdlessly taxed
before they reach the consumer. The
men whose occupations are least nscss'
sary, are frat dispensed with. Oonse'
q%uently when business becomes dull, the
clerks who have employment a 1.-THE high
tide, at the sbb are stranded. Fol
every vacant clerkship, or other like en-
ployment, there are always applicants
waiting /; while it is only at rare times,
or 10 some particular lines of business,
that skilled artisans need be out Of en-
ployment. Another reason why me.
chanical or manufacturing industry is
neglected is because the working men
| 10 not give themselves justice. There
are very few arts and trades to which
there are not a history, a theory, and q
science. No artisan in this country
ought t o be content with the routine
| work Of his business. He should take
pains to learn the !" Why and Because
The reason of every rule Of his trade
should Do learned and his reading and
investigations should add the knowledge
Of books to his practical experience,
There are principles which guide all op'
eratious. Every carpenter and mason
should aim to be in knowledge on ar.
ehi,-ct /; every millwright an engineer
and so through the whole circle Of me-
chanical pursuits ought the labo'
rers to acquaiut themselves With all that
they can learn respecting their callings,
The diligsnt and careful mechanic, who
would do this, would o find his way
to the very best positions in his bust
ness. The most successful men We
have, those who have accumulated
large fortunes, have done so BY the un'
expected opening Of opportunities fol
the improvement Of which their study
and Intelligence had prepared them,
The best and most profitable invention
are those made by practical men, who
added to the skilful handling Of theil
tools a knowledge Of the principles or
which they worked. Let a man honor
his calling and it will do him honor.