The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1875-03-31

there is no natural opportunity" Tor the
employment of more than given number
of apprentices in given place and that
the tendency of apprenticeships is TO
lower wages and depreciate the quality of
work. 1t ia patent to every one, that the
several trades do not produce as superior
workmen in America rs In England. The
reason is obvious. The system of appren-
ticeship In England is such that only those,
who have a calling for particular trade,
undertake its mastery. In learning it,
time and patient Industry are required, and
the result is, that at the close OF the speci-
fed term of years the tyro, who became
an apprentice is turned out skilled work
man. The apprentice seeks a means of
livelihood, and the requirements of the
the trade, not of trade unions, make him
skilled workman. Unless he becomes
such, he has life of comparative idleness
and poverty before him. How different in
America. A minor, or adult for that mat
ter, "learns trade" only to 'make liv-
ing" not to become skilled in his partcu-
lar calling. No term of years is required,
but the apprentice of to-day becomes full
hedged master workman tomorrow. In
England, only the real master workman is
sought after, and he need not be idle unless
he wills. Here, the bungling, half-learned
mechanic is the one who most readily OBJ
tains employment because his labor can
be procured cheaper,-the quality of his
work not being taken into the account.
We are no believer in "trade unions" as
the term is understood in this country, ony
more than we are in unions of builders,
employers and capitalists. Each is equal
ly perncous in its tendency, and both are
more or less oppressive in their operation.
The primary object of both may be self
protection, but the result aimed at in one
case is high price labor, and in the other,
cheap labor. Both are equally inimical to
the production of skilled labor, and the
tendency and practical operation of both
| are equally fatal to the real interests of ap-
prentices. The one opposes a true appren-
tice system, because of its effect in cheap
ening labor and in producing incompetent
laborer. The other endeavors to secure the
employment of large number of these
| tyros because it will enable them to pro-
duce work at less prices, and, consequent
| ly, leave larger margin for profits. Self
| agrandizement is the basis of the efforts Of
| both, and the curse of both. Both are
| right, and both are wrong. The fault is
with both, and the remedy lies with both.
Legislation cannot wholly cure the evil,
| even If it can in part. Such laws as the
| one referred to, are more pernicious than
the evils sought to be remedied. What
| shall constitute an act of "prohibtion" or
"discouraging" would indeed be ''debat-
| able question" We take it, in one sense,
that informing a minor that he was not
| qualified either by his tastes, habits or in
cllnations, to learn particular trade, re-
fusing TO work with HIM, or refusing to re-
ceive him as an apprentice, would be pro-
hibiting or discouraging him but it is alb
surd to suppose that any legislative enact
ment could make such acts unlawful, OF
that anyone could be punished therefor.
We take it that one or more mechanics
have the right to work, or not to work, as
they please. They have the right, also, tc
refuse to labor with or for other men.
If John Doe employs Richard Roe, then
John Smith and Sam Weller can refuse to
work for John Doe, and he must make the
choice whether he will discharge Roc and
employ the others, or will retain Richard
and seek other laborers elsewhere Yet il
Richard Roe was an apprentice, Smith and
Weller, by the terms of this law, would
have committed an unlawful act, and sub
iected themselves to fine and imprisonment
If conspiracy to Cypress and injure coult
be proven, the case might be different, bu
a conspiracy is difficult of proof and the
case VIC have supposed has none of the Gle
ments of conspiracy, and any law attempt
ing to punish such acts would be an inya
sion of private rights, and no law can in
fringe on such rights. We would tina
every trade union, whether OF employee
or employee, was swept from existence
but legislation will not accomplish it. 81
long as one kind Of these unions exists
the other will also. They will not Away
control, or endeavor to control, labor
Some day, they will cease to exist, but i
will only be when the mutual interdepend
ence of labor on capital, and capital on Ia
Dor, is acknowledged and practically re
spected, and when only skilled labor is il
demand. Then apprentices will be wei
coined, and the more of them the merrie
it will be. They will not interfere with tn
master workmen only to aid them, and tn
master workman will not interfere witt
them save to instruct them-and workme
, OF all classes will readily procure employ
ment and at remunerative wages.