San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1878-07-06

An incident, quite peculiar of its kind
but essentially Russian in character. has,
just come to light, which has become
the leading gossip in Philadelphia. Soma
fifteen months ago, q workman, speak.
ing English tluently, with but sliobt
foreign accent, applied for position az
a machinist in one of the largest shop,
in Wilmington, Del, where marine en-.
gines and iron hulls are built. Tbero
being stress of work just at the time
the intelligent appearance of the ma.
chanic secured him position in the sbon
Every day the new employee was to be
seen at the workbench prosecuting bis
labors. A planing-machine was placed
soon under his charge, and he DISPLAYED
so much skill and judgment in the tasks
allotted to him that work requiring the
greatest exactness was soon confided to
the foreigners care. The man was re.
markedly quiet and industrious, and
though reticent was universally liked BY
the American machinists. He lodgedin
a clearinghouse with his fellow-crafts.
men. After remaining in the principal
shop in Wilmington for some three
months, one day the man drew his wa.
ges and left for Chester, Del, where.
furnished with letters of introduction
from the superintendent of the Whining.
ton shop to the boss in Chester, he
soon found new position. In Chester
he remained some four months, and was
employed in riveting the iron hulls and
in bending the plates. His superior in
telligence soon commended him to a
higher position, which he seemed anx-
ious to occupy. This was in the draft.
ing-room, where the bulls were design.
ed. In this new occupation his skill
was instantly remarked. At Chester he
remained some six months, when heleft
quite suddenly and repaired to .Phila-
delphia. Here the foreign workman en-
deavored to enter into the largest loco
motive factory in the world, but his re-
quest was at first refused. How he man.
aged to get a footing in the Philadelphia
shop, whether by means of a douceur, or
some private. influence, never can be
known. Suffice it to say, the foreign
workman, who was so proficient in con-
structing marine engines and iron ves-
sells, and who was a capital draughts.
man, was now employed in the construc-
ton of locomotives at Baldwin's, on
Broad Street, Philadelphia. Placed first
as helper in the forges, it was found
he had the skill of master smith. 1t
was not very long before his worth was
appreciated, and higher class of ma
chine work was put in his hands. Still
the same restlessness was manifested on
the part of the workman, who one day
left, with wages unclaimed, and was
next traced to Baltimore, thence to New
York, and then back again to Whining
ton.
Now, when the Russian Government
commenced making purchases of ships
and machinery in the United States,
some months ago, persons owning steam
vessels were somewhat surprised at the
perfect knowledge the Russians had OF
all the ships offered them. The secret
was soon disclosed. Principals of large
shops in Philadelphia, Wilmington and
Chester were thrown directly in COM
with fne-looking Russian
Post Captain, speaking English tiuenty'
who recalled to them the workman who
had received their wages. The Captain,
a thorough, practical workman, and at
the head of one of the principal I'M
perial naval bureaus, had been sent to
the United States by the Russian Gov
purposely to inspect in the most
thorough manner the actual character
of American work. Of course, the Rus
sian Captain was perfectly posted
Vices of construction, sighted work.
this officer unhesitatingly spoke about
From his judgment there was no appeal
He knew exactly what was wanted
could estimate with rapidity what sucn
Or such vessel was worth, what re-
pairs would cost, how many thousands
Of dollars it would take to change d
merchant steamer so as to fit her VIII
fact, the whole minutle Oi
naval construction was at his fingers
ends. 1t may be interesting to note 'n,,
event as resembling some little the wen
known story of how Peter the Grea'
went to Holland to learn ship-building'
It has taken, then, some centuries Only