Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-01-09
Wasted Labor Material.

In his late annual Message, Gov. lIartranft, of
Pennsylvania, stated some homely truths concern
ing the condition Of labor in this country Much
of what he said about the decadence of skilled
labor has been said before. Ii has been the bust
ness Of the Times to urge upon its readers the
proposition that American workmen are primarily
responsible for a condition of things which they
continually lament. But the Governors views
though not novel, are well stated, and the phase
of the subject which he discusses is a very proper
one to be presented in G0beInatotal Message
How close is the connection between the Pittsburg
riots and the past errors OF the working men, we
cannot accurately determine. But il is certain
that those disturbances, though originating with
men who were actively employed by the railroad
corporations, were ruinously aggravated by mob
OF rres ponsble, idle men, who had not the re-
hottest contingent interest in the dispute between
the employers and the employed. Who and WI at
were these rioters 1t is now well known that
most oil them were little better than tramps. They
were not all idle yagabonds, it is true, but many
of them were and il is safe to say that the mis-
chief was chiefly done by men who had no trade
no useful calling, and who were used TO no sort of
labor but the very toughest and commonest sort
description. Ii is very rare indeed that one can
find a skillfu, or even a fairly trained, mechanic
among the hrongs Of tiamps iniesting the coun-
try. When times are dull the skilled laborer does
not take to the highway As a menGicant or beggar
But he who never knew how to earn his bread ex-
cept by the coarsest KIDD of labor i. the ready ma.
teIial from which tramp is made. How does it hap
pen, then, that there are always, even in ordinary
times, many unframed, unskiiled laboring men
ready to serve the purposes of demagogues and
potters Gov. ilaftrantt SAYS that the decline of
the system of apprentice ship and decadence of
skilled labor go together and these he saws are
due 10 variety of causes. We should be inclined
to say, however, that the latter is caused by the
former; that the di,appeaiance of the apprentice
ship system has resulted ia turning adrift upon So
clety vast amount of bone and siuew destitute
of training in useful labor The Governor is
right however in saying that the hostile attitude
toward the apprentice system and the introduction
of laboI-saviDg machinery have helped to de-
grade labor, and this result has been facilitated by
the tyranny Of trades unions 1t is an old story
In their Jealous anxiety TO prevent their trades
from being over-crOwded, the labor organizations
have shut out young learners. In innumerable in
stance strikes have been ordered and carried ont
in industrial establishments when a single appreu.
ice has been introduced beyond the narrow limits
fixed by the rules OF the central rganization. Fa-
theirs, who were skilled journeymen in their trades.
have deliberately voted TO shut their sons out the
industry by which they earned their own bread
Or controlled by a selfish aud heartless directory
of their own, they have thrown down their tools
left the forge and furnace to COOL and have sat in
wastetu ldeness rather than let some poor youths
learn in their shop how to earn an honest living
Is il any wonder that the professions and CONNER
cial csllings are over-crowded, while there is a
lack Of skilled mechanics and an excess of com
mon laborers
In the great workshops and factories of the day
to be sure, there is not much opportunity for the
ga "a no
when the master mechanic was at once the teach
er and the guardian of his apprentices cannot be
brought back. So, while the trades unions bar
he young men and boys from the small,r estab-
llshmen's, the difficulty of learning a trade ex-
cept in the greater shops produces the same re-
sul,. Failing to produce skilled workmen, we
impo.t them. The foreign element helps to dete-
norate the social standard Of our own working
men, and tins, with other causes, continually les
sens the number OF skilled mechanics of Amerl-
can birth. This IS great misfortune, and when,
a. IN the case OF the recent labor riots we dscoy-
or that we have large element Of viciousnes. un
easily prevailing The country, il is found that we
have been preparing great calamity.
% the various remedies possible IN this state
of things Gov. Haltranft, suggests two The CO.
operation OF the working men should be secured
IN the creation Of new Industries and in throwing
open the doors of employment to all; and the
state should furnish industrial schools and work
shops. IL the working men can be induced to
give up the tyfaunical and expensive organizations
which they now support with 50 much obstinacy,
IN. and their children would be the gamers The
dihcui'y Is that they are taught by artlul leaders
who thrive upon their dupes, that their unions
costly though they may be, arc the cadels in
which they can repel the attacks Of imaginary
foes Bat 1t IS possible for the State to supply in
duslrial schools in which Young people can be
taught enough Of the ruQiuents of mechanic. to
give them far start in the trades which they
would follow. This, at least, would be good be-
ginning; 1t could be supplemented by more elab-
crate systems Of instruction, after while. Re
iotmslofy institutions already accomplish some
ought TO be able 10 do more. In the public Schools
1t is complained that thechildren Of poor people