West-Jersey pioneer., 1873-05-30
WAN T E D.

business. One Wh0 does not swear, urlnk
liquors, or use tobacco in any way, and is
willing to do his duty to himself and us, and
remain until he is II years of age, can find
} a home with us. None other need apply.
We clip the above suggestive card from
the Family Casket, of Whitehouse Station,
edited and published by an old friend, A. j..
Shampanore, who for more than one year
was faithful and efficient foreman in our
Office; although having had more experience
than we in the printing business, yet always
with due respect and promptness, comply
ing with our orders, as we were expected to
comply with those of our customers.
1t is not surprising to find a notice like
that which appears in the Casket from a
publisher who has had SO many years ex-
perience in teaching persons the printing
business. 1t is too frequently the case when
boy is advertised for, to learn trade
that the one who applies for the situation,
expects to know more about the business in
a year or two, than those who have served
a regular apprenticeship for many years, in
all the various departments.
There is an erroneous idea prevalent in
these days, that person can learn almost
any trade in a year or two at most, and be-
come ''master of the situation.' We are
not so well posted in reference to other
trades, but judging from that which we do
! profess to know something about, after
more than a quarter of a ceDtury's practical
| experience, and some observation in refer
4 J H.
that the person who thinks he can learn any
! trade in year Or two, has more egotism
than brains, and may be put down as a
botch, at whatever trade he processes to
have thorough knowledge Of in SO short
space of time, unless it be some trade
which requires but little study or applica-
tion to master. We are speaking of trades
in general and don't hesitate to say that, as
rule, at least five years, instead of one or
two, are requisite for any ordinary work
man, in which to become proficient, and
that, with but comparatively few exceptions,
those who serve regular apprenticeship,
from five to eight years, are the most eff
cient workmen. 1t is true that person
may obtain mere smattering of trade in
a year or two, and by close application with
natural taste for that particular trade, in
few years become more proficient than
others, who with no trade or inclination for
it, have by force of circumstances, been
compelled to work at trade for which they
had no taste.
The system Of apprenticeship which has
prevailed for number of years past, has
filled the country with botches in all the va
rious trades. A young man of eighteen or
twenty years, takes sudden notion to learn
the printing business-he applies for sit
uation and is told, if his informant is can
did, or understands anything about the bus
ness himself, that he has made rather
the various branches in country printing
office, that it will require more years to ac-
complish it than he has left in his minority
The same general rule will apply to almost
any trade, calling or profession. Look
around among the successful ministers,
doctors, lawyers, merchants and mechanics,
and see if our assertions are not correct
Persons may have ''missed their Calling"
or by force of circumstances been compelled
to engage in something for years which was
not what they desired for a permanent oc-
cupation, and by changing in time and ap-
plying themselves closely for long series
of years to their new profession, or oecupa-
ton, become proficient and excel others who
started much earlier; this is often the case.
Not years alone, give proficiency in any
calling, but without a sufficient amount of
experience no person, we care not how
smart they may consider themselves, can be
thoroughly qualified for their position
This country will continue to be flooded
with botches in all the various trades, until
some better system is adapted for making
thorough workmen. One reason why SO
many of the educated foreigners who have
learned their trades in the old country are
more proficient than many Americans, is
because they have served regular appren-
ticeship of from six to eight years.