New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-03-25
TUURLOW WEED on APPRENTICE
SHIPS.
A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.
Pennsylvania BOYS PERMITTED TO LEARN TRADES
THE TYRANNY OF TRADES UNIoNs-ArPRENTT-
CTS WHO HAVE BECOME GREAT MEN-wlSE HINTS
TO EMPLOYERS.
To the Edltor Of The Tribune
SIR: 1t is not alone to express my deep sense Of
gratitude to the Legislature of Pennsylvania for its
passage of beneicent law that again ask the use
of YOUR columns. The passage of law extending
to the boys of Pennsylvania the right to learn me-
chanical trades is boon and blessing the more
gratifying for being unexpected. have repeatedly
but unavailingly endeavOred to awaken and direct
Legislative attention to the despotism of Trades
Unions, especially in reference to the question of
apprenticeshps knew, of course, the embaTrass-
ment Of members representing cities and villages,
and while did not expect much hoped for some
thing. The Unions" form constitutions and adopt
bylaws, to which they attach ali the solemnlty OF
legal enacments Article y in the pamphlet printed
by the Hatters' Trade Association relating to APP
prentces reads as follows:
Number of ApDrenHces-That shops employing five
jOurneymen for Que year be entitled To two APP
prCnfces shops employing than five jOurneymen
one year be entitled TO one apprentices and shops not
having journeynan employed, not u 10 allowed an
apprentice.
In another section of this Article it is provided
that when apprentices want to leave shops " de-
clared foul7 they must obtain the consent Of the
Association" Still another section declares, that
in no case shall an employer have more than three
Apprentices 1t is worse than idle to talk about
Free Trade or freedom in any form while of the
great industries of the country is subjected to such
despotsm.
Pennsylvania has set a noble example, Let other
States follow, and we may hope to see generation of
boys rescued from dleness and vice. and after gradu
ating from the shOemakers', hatters, taors', tan
obi
ists bakers and other shops aud factories, become
eminent alike as representatives and rulers. Every
intelligent boy learns during his apprenticeship how
many mechanics have risen not only to great wealth
but TO high positions in their municipal State, and
National Governments. That knowledge animates,
cheers and encourages him. In what apprentice to
the art preseryaye of all arts" did the knowledge
that Benjamin Franklin was an apprentice fail to in
spire desire and determination TO adopt and imi-
tate the examples of industry sObriety study and
virtue that enabled him to rise to positions OF use
fitness and eminence, and to transmit to posterity
name that adOrns the history of his country Shoe
makers apprentices read with pride that Roger
Sherman of Connecticut one of tho sGners of the
Declaration of Independence, learned their trade,
aud that Henry Wilson, Yice-President of the
United States, was working as q journeyman Shoe
maker when first elected to the Legislature of Massa
chusetts. Willard Fillmore, a late Yice-Presdent
and President of the United States, an appren-
tee in a country clothieTs establishment, Andrew
johnson, another late Vice-Presdent and President
Of the United States, learned and worked at the
tailOr's trade. Simon Cameron, formerly Secretary
Of War, and now United States Senator, was origi-
nally printer. David X. Carter formerly mem
Der of Congress from Ohio now Chief Justice of
the Court in the District Of Columbia. was my ap-
prentice at Rochester. Several mechanics have been
Mayors of the City of Eew-YOrk, prominent among
whom were Stephen Allen. Gideon Lee. and james