New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-06-06
THE NEW APPRENTICEL LAW

oID APPRENTICE LAWS RE-ENACIED'
APPRENTICES CAN BE IMPRISONED AND MAsIIks
HEAVILY FINED FOR NEGLECIING IllLlN
MUTUAL DUTIES-IASTERS MUST PROVIDE
EDvCtvION, BOARD, LODGING, AND MILD
ICINE.
AMONG the strangest anomalies of American
NE is the relation now existing between mechanics and
tradesmcn and their apprentices. In the transition from
feudssn full human liberty few social or civil reia-
tons have been thoroughly changed than this 1t
NAV be safely asserted that other relation nominaly
under the control of law has become utterly lawless
One of the rising questions for Americans TO decide Is
what shall he the nature and strength Of the
bond between those who learning and
those who are teaching tradesi At present all
Is confusion. II supposed, until lately by most III
tegent people, that the laws the subject now prac
tcally obsolete. would be left on the statute DOCKS uht
they might serve only to amuse reicseekers. Great
was the surprise OF all familiar with the proceedings
OF the WOIknCmens Unions, TO learn that anew aet' al
most identical with the old one had been passed by the
Legislature Of NewYor at its last session This act mas
recently been signed by the Governor and is now law
1t seems that has long been fayorite project with the
Labor Unions to have the old statutes repassed and en-
forced.
The following is a careful exposition of the old English
laws which have been transferred with slight m0difCa
TONS to codes of the various states of the Unon
THE OLD APPRENTICE LAWS.
The definition Of the word apprentice in the lawbooks
is person bound in due form master, to learn his
art trade business and to him during the term
OF his Apprenticeship" Formerly the name apprentice
Ia len given Unfortunately to all suden.s VI
law In the reign Of Edward Nv. they sometimes
called apprentice ad bGTGs and In some OF the ancient
synonymous The contract of apprenticeship was
always entered into between person who nha9rstoou
some trade. or business and minor WIN tie cor
sent OF his her parent next friend bN Wheh tne
iormer undertook TO teach the trade ana ine aer 10
indenture OF apprenticeship the i9ther was
bound for the performance OF the covenants Oh ie sun
Tho o.rfre fxr4a
Snnnepce Tbe English statute law on this subject has
been generally adopted, with some Natlauons' III 'ho
The principal duties Of the parties were follows: The
master was bound instruct the youth thoroughly in
his art must watch over his conduct giving him pru-
dent advice and showing INN good example running
toward the duties OF father, in his character as
he stood IN loco PARENTS The master must not
abuse his authority either by bad treatment OF ny en-
pOyng his apprentice in menal work unconnected with
The business He could not dismiss the Lad except ny APP
pncatOn competent tribunal upon whose decree the
indenture might be cancelled But an nfant apprentice
charge nor could the Justices according TO au-
Ghores order money be returned on the discharge OF
could retain the lad the ground that he had not
Fulfilled his contract unless sTecialy authorized by
statute Apprenticeship relation which could not
DE assigned at the common law although the apprentice
could work with second master Dy o9er anu CoSn
dcnture. But in Pennsylvania and some other states
The assignment of indentme of apprenticeship was au-
Worried by statute.
OLD NEw-YoRK STATUTES.
Tt declared by the old statute law Of NewYork,
which may be taken for sample, in all essential re-
specs OF the general law of the several States the
subject that "infants if males under a. and If unInar
red females under IS years of age may be bound 10y
sndenture Of their free WILL with the consent Of
their father, mother guardian or esianentary eHeeu-
sudge, the case might be- to term OF service as
6leIk apprentice or s9rEan m any dIG If If fae
ment, until the age OF u II maze OF untl 10 IL I.h
or shorter time. Ia all ndentures by the officers
or servants covenant must be Inscribed to teach the
apprentice 70 read and write. and male the general
lea a
constituted the guardians OF every such ndeItured
ilnts are liable to be imprisoned in Jail until
they shall be willing TO serve as such
apprentices servants and also TO serve double the
time they had wrongully withdrawn themselves from
service provided the does not extend beyond three
years next after the end Of the original term of service
They also liable to be imprisoned in some house Of
correction not exceeding month. for ilbehayiOr or
may bind themselves 10 service until the age Of a. and
ryen beyond it, provided it be to raise money for the
payment Of their passages and the term OF such service
does not exceed year Grievances OF the apprentice
Ter arising from bad apprentice to be redressed
IN the General Sessions OF the Peace or by any two JUS
sces OF the Peace, who have power to annul the
tac and discharge the apprentice or lmprson MN II
Ved that person shall take from any journeyman
apprentice contract or agreement tnat after the term
III service expired he shall not set up his trade pro
isson employment IN any particular place. nor shall
money other thing be eNacted from any journey
iaa ir 9r ePen'o' " restraint O 'n0 pace u VA''''n
The father has authority under the cid statute land
the later decisions say he has no authority even at com
mon law 20 bind his infant apprentice without
bis and the infant cannot be bound IT he De
party the Decd. II settled principle of the English
bnd American law that the relation of master and
rhs and duties Of the parent transferred a master
Except 10y deed. Upon the death Of the master the
Hnd design Of It personal trust ceased; but the
hSet The hands Of the representatives OF the master
infant apprentice. The master Of an apprentice
was bound to pay for medical attendance on the appren
ice, nuM the nature OF the relation between them
EFFORTS FOR NEW LAW.
The following paragraph appears in the annual address
Of The NewYork state Wordngmens Assembly for 1s7O
nsl effort made at The last session Of hi, ASSEMBLY so to
D. jet st remains an open one The trades are earnestly pressing
J. sled a hose sio are .cuIce, perfect in the in. r0dGen
mechanic although eynsy attempt f the place
w eeg gu tas noo HAo are 70 TIrk i1d an &
lm- the muehesred protection as skilled work
tho annual report Of the Assembly for the same year
J. Tie de- o An act in reference to Apprentices and
LmpoyC D." which is identical with that lately passed
H. this te, and which has been printed in THE
TRIBUNE Two very important sections Nos and y
were, bow ver stricken out by the Legislature before
II--ur Ie w, so that the version printed not
'r. These sections were among the most antquated
reused to pass them. As this act has been made the
basis OF a of colleagues with employers and work
gt investigation the original act is reproduced
ire I'm iuI; IL will be borne in mind however that sec
ion, aud have since been excluded:
III NEW APPRENTICE LAW AS FIRST PROPOSED,
Section BE eaaeef That and after the passage o.
" ale ss apprentice any person Z, learn arr or mys-
S Sssa or 91sps; gSy sDor peTn be
% 5 IN eeo isuo With re y ags Of ,his act and
seal by the person Pc sons employing said appren
By parents parent - y be living or by the guard
ls Of @ apprentice aud likewise said minor person so
81. ST. isnelt o. nira' ire order make ibe law valid,
B, contain o.. i'io"inS 'a',V AMI provisions: A. , ~ |
ls @ r sro a. be Dgaud 70 ~ ,b r5 fya yesrs
T MINOR IT on !. a ''" .Lsi not leave bis :al
j D.. i1r NhcL ne sLsl |