The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1872-09-28

From The Ontario WoskingmAn.
For some months back we have been ad-
vocating the establishments Of nhops for
mechanical education in o0nnectiOn with
our free schools. The great number Of
boys growing up without learning trade,
or some honorable calling, by which to
mako q living, IN oonatmmsly Prssainw the
subject upon the serious consideration Of
parents, and all others who take an interest
In the prospects, prosperity and happiness
OF the rising generation, The Cal, touch
ing that subject, thinks, a. the State of
Massachusetts Is about to establish, a. a
branch of its educational system, schools
for the instruction Of its working classes in
the mechanical trades" that we ought to
be doing something of the kind ourselves.
This il an exceedingly correct view, for if
that State has been walked up to any reform
necessary for the good Of the workinRmen,
the whole world should have had il in oper-
alton before this time.
We are greatly in need Of educated me
chanics, men who solve problem in math-
ematics, as well as to do the work on an
engine men who can calculate the
strength OF wood or iron, as well a. frame
. root or dome. The day for mere drudg-
ero has passed, machinery does that The
mechanics brain must be cultivated 30 that
he can put to work the most complicated
machinery. Woodworth's Planer will do
the work of q hundred men, but it requires
cultivated mechanical mind to keep it in
order. Machinery is the product OF edu-
Gated genius. We want men of the same
calibre to keep it in order. Our boys
learning trades work too much and think
too little, Those going to school think too
much and do no work. Four hours Of study
and four of labor is much better than eight
OF either. The nina and body should be
kept in equilibrium. The hands and body
should be able to do what the mind dictates,
and the mind should be well educated 80
ss to require the hands to do only what is
necessary to accomplish the object in view
Many men do twice as much work to ac-
complish an end As those whose education
has fitted the mind to understand the work
they commence. IL man destroys mate
nal in working it, he is called stupid, when
III fact it In want Of education he did not
know WHARF and how to cut it, A man
who frames timber or iron for a dome, can
not fit it together on the ground ; every
tenon, mortice, square or level must be cut
in each piece, separate and apart from the
rest, and come together making harmo-
NOUS whole. But it cannot be done with
out education. A boy when learning a
trade spends half his time in learning the
use of tools if learned at school, he will
be much more useful to his employer, start
in life as a skilled mechanic, and be proud
Of his calling.
The Legislature sLoule now authorize
the Board of School Directors in cities to
establish Mechanical Schools, to put up
temporary shops, buy tools, and employ
fOremen to teach the boys. There is no
use Of waiting until Massachusetts, adopts
the system. This is not an old fogy State;
our people are progressive We need no
one to tell us what to do. We are raising
q superior race Of boys and girls, in mind
and body but we must cultivate their
mental and physical capacity, or the vices
common to human nature will make them
more powerful for crime
A true man lives for his children they
are his care through life. Knowing that,
We should make pleasant home for indus
trious families. An educated mechanic is
the highest member of any community
The study and practice Of such community
are enObling in their character, dignifying
in their influence, and elevate men in their
scale Of usefulness. The world needs such
men, and We furnish them.