, 1876-01-08
The Apprentice system.


The assembled wisdom in Sacramento can
not ploy is time better than by thorough
and intelligent apprentice system as it pre-
vailed in the past, with Il view to blend with
it such notifications a. are made necessary
by the changed conditions Of the present day.
Under the old iulenture system there was no
trouble abou, obtaining opportunities to learn
trades, since the law enabled the master 10
recompenSe himself for the time and trouble
expended in teaching. from the wages of his
apprentice at a later stage OF his service. BUr
this system had TO give wuy to more modern
IDEAS. American boys Of eighteen and twenty
were too smart to work for the wages of au
apprentice, and the result Is, d diSiuclination
On the part of the employers TO have boys
about at any price. Il Is quite possible that
experience Will show that the exhibition Of
Young American prscocity which have form
ed the staple Of juvenile literature in years
past must be checked. y boy who thiaks
himself man may be an amusing spectacle
10 those who are not brought in direct contact
with him, but 10 those who are compelled 10
endure his presence be i something OF NUS
ance. Within the last twenty years the
reign Of government, both political and par
email, have been loossd in many respects, aud
We have as consequence thousands Of Idle
boys and girls, who are 4 reproaoh 20 our
civilization. The duty OF parents to so cdu-
cate their children 50 that they may earn
their own living is admitted, but parents
sometimes find it impos sible to do SO, on &C.
count of the unwilliuEness of employers to
receive apprentices under our present laws
The remd dy for this state Of things Is III
adapting the law to the requirements Of the
times. 4 good apprentice hw viii secure
the apprentice Is far possible from abuse
and overwork, and at the same time secure
employers IN their right 10 the apprentice ;
time during the latter part of his term OF
s-Tsice. There j. 10 doubt but that under
the old iEden.ure system many apprentices
were shametully abused This was especially
the case with boys who had no parents To
look after their welfare. These abuses were
proclaimed ty 50 many Tongues and pens that
the law Of iadrniure was ~ modified that EN-.
ployers have now no rights which apPrea-
tees are bound TO respect. When the aP-
prentice has learned ,nougi Of his trade to
command higher wages elsewhere than his
master pays, he wakes off Ia the f.cr i law
and master, and works where he pie. ses.
This freedom Of action may please he
thoughilr>S representative of Jung America
but IN Jhe long run does not contribute to
Lls welfare. Masters, finding II inpi@sib bio
10 retain HpprcutIces Ia their employ longer
than may suit the apprentices sense OF JUS
uce, decline Ia receive appr, u'Ic,- AT any
price At thgs point, We would u.ge upon
boys Of seventeen ana upward that knowledge
aud character ARE hy lar the best capital they
can have 10 cOmmence business with at
twcIty-Oae- Muay boys are tempted irUin
, their places in good tirns hv the oiier ot
higher wages tv some firm which has had 10
trouble with their instruction IN the ruiI-
ucn;s of business The boy who l. working
ior his righrluI employer for five dolIar per
week, when perhaps he can OBTAIN ten dollars
from some other h.ru ia thz same business. =
tempted TO Commence life Ly committing i
breach Of trust F1r such az, act no umuuat
OF money Is compensation. Better bsgln the
world at twenty-One with one suit OF clothes
and not 4 cent in pocket, but with trade
-. ~ !
matter OF contracts, than to possess any ret-
/ s.n4b!e sum UI money, buS WIKI trade half
learned and It reputation for uurelr.blir,y IN
matters OF business. We rus; the Legislature
will shape apprentices bill 70 suit both par
ties to the Contract, for there Is at present 10
( piece OF legislation - much needed.-CLI.