The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1880-10-14
Giving Young Mechanics a Timely Bit Of
Encouragement.


The American Institute of New York
has taken pity, in a praiseworthy way,
on a deserving class Of the human race,
generally snubbed and thrust into out
of-the-way places. 1t has taken steps
for bringing to public notice the grow
ing boys and the work they are trying
to do. Heretofore, at the exhibition OF
this institute and of others such as our,
Franklin Institute and the various in
dustrial and agricultural corporations
which hold exhibitions. the desire has
been to display only the handsome
finished work of experienced workmen.
This is worthy of commentator as far
as it goes, and it cannot be denied that
such work is more likely to attract at
tention and to command admiration
than the rough attempts of boys who
have received but partial education in
mechanical art-work. But the pleasure
of looking on elegant handiwork is one
thing and that of encouraging the army
of rising workmen is another. Any eX-
perienced workman ought to turn out
good work. 1t is expected of him, and
the fact that he answers expectations
with it creates no surprise. As to the
partially educated workman it is in some
degree a wonder that he accomplishes
anything in a manner fit to be seen. he
is but student who has not completed
his course of study. In some cases he
has had unreasonable and tyrannical
educators. In others, he has been his
own teacher and has acquired informa-
ton and skill under circumstances of
great Encouragement. The invitation
now issued by the American Institute
is to all amateurs and young persons
who are beginning to learn mechanical
arts, or who have made any reasonable
progress in them, to exhibit speci-
mems of their work. This invi-
tation covers all branches of effort, from
painting a stick of timber to the fabri-
cation of complete steam engine. No
more direct encouragement to the lads
can be conceived of than this. 1t is I'M
derstood that the exhibited specimens
of work are not expected to be as per-
feet as those made by the artisans who
have spent lifetime on what the young
sters are Just beginning. 0fcourse the
amateurs are to do their best. No
youth exhibiting work with his name
on it would want to show anything very
inferior. Pride will prevent slOvenliness
and ambition will stimulate to the eX-
ecutiOn of the best that under the cir
cumstanceS can be made.
Young men who want to be mechan-
les have n great deal to contend against.
Under the old apprentice system they
had it hard enough. Then they were
in much more intimate relations with
their employers than under the present
system. Now lad who is taken to
learn the business" finds to his cost
that he is more of an errand boy and a
drudge than student. Much of what
he learns is in spite of the people who
are supposed to teach him rather than
as the result of their efforts. 1t is their
interest too frequently to keep him
down so as to continue his wages at as
low figure as possible. Many boy
in a foundry or factory or mill, who
manages to pick up some knowledge of
the business is for q considerable time
made to do a mans work for boys
wages. He may demonstrate, but the
remonstrance of a lad against capital
ist or a corporation amounts to very
little The boy who has chance to
exhibit his work, as contemplated by
the present action of the American In
stitute, has also chance to display his
skill to the people whose good opinion
of it may be worth having. 1t is a good
thing thus to bring boys forward with
wholesome stimulus. The present race
of artisans will not last forever. The
world looks to the coming boys to take
the place of the going men. 1t has
direct interest in educating these boys
so as to make the most of them, both
for themselves and for society. To
snub a boy is cruel and mean. To
stimulate him to deeds of excellence is
noble and generous. - Philadelphia
Times