Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1882-06-08
Educate for Usefulness
Western (Wis.) Farmer.

western WIS., Farmer.
Three prime factors are absolute nee
essities in the march of civilization;
each more or less dependent upon the
other, and the combined action Of all
imperative in the production of results.
They are Genius (often the result of
practical skilD, Science, or cultivated
art, and Muscular PoaUer.
A clown can drive nail or turn an
auger; science must direct its course,
and genius point the object. Franklin
discovered the laws of electricity, but
Morse inaugurated the first machinery
to utilize it. Stevenson's rude form of
locomotive shaped elements into
living acting automaton; while science
and art combined made use fine cem-
municated wisdom of the past to i'm
prove and perfect all we now have of
the power of electricity and steam loco
motion. And ever and anon new bursts
of genius and high art are adding to
this already magic and bene6cent i'm
provement.
Mechanism, the grand lever by which
problems are wrought out to practical
utility, needs trained mind and prac-
tical vision to give direction for certain
results; and furnishes key to the sue
cessful enterprise of manufacturing es-
adjustments giving employment to
millions of our people.
Genius is original and cultivated;
often the product of brilliant ideas, but
more frequently the result of the APP
plication of science to cause and elect,
| l. hy rnf al 81 ~ ".
pertinent. Thorough scientific knowl-
edge, with practical application for its
principles, forms the basis of skilled
mechanism to which capital and labor
| look up as the director of their fortune
and support; the civilized world ac-
knowledges its dependence upon its
productions.
To increase the number and power
of skilled mechanics is the want of our
age. Europe, older in the arts and
higher cultivation, clings with tenacious
hold upon her experts, aid only by
stealth and bribery can they be in
duced 10 leave most lucrative employ
ment at home to introduce their arts
into the new world. A mandatory
in America, which succeeds in secur-
ing the services on an adept, often be
comes gigantic producer that sweeps
ordinary competition from the field.
The great want of the American
artizan is skilled labor combining
the scientific with the practical.
To be possessed of the accumulated
knowledge of the founders of our great
enterprises and the experience of a
practical application of laws and prin-
ciples to power, is TO put mind into
machinery, and life and action into in
animate objects he who possesses it,
becomes the head and front, or as is
often remarked, "the brains" Of our
greatest manufacturing establishments.
Education to this end is the aim and
object of the mechanical science of
our colleges, for which liberal public
appropriations are made.
Where are our future mechanics to
come from and who are to control
our manufactures?
The first question is answered by the
increasing flood of workmen from
| foreign countries, who dictate terms
that shut out American boys from the
most subordinate branches. The lat
ter, most fortunately, opens most at
tractive and profitable field i'll our edu-
cational system and if our young
men would avail themselves of the adj
vantage, without installing education
as som ething above practical application
to the wants of life, but combine labor
with science, they would start under
standingly. With brain stored with
ideas and hands def at skillful labor,
they are prepared to become the mast
ers or the age-the controlling power
that shall direct the pondorous ma
cbipery of the world in its varied and
immense productions. Instead of the
meagre wages Of the journeyman, they
command and receive the pay of
master. A few years tuition and ex-
perience enable them to stand on a
par with the capitalist, whose fund
is no more necessity than the ability
and skill to control and direct 1t to sue
cess and profit.
The provisions made in our State
University for practical education IN
mechanics are mine of wealth and
power to our youth Of the present age.
Two or three years study and applica-
ton rightly put IN, are of more value
than a life Of ill or imperfectly directed
effort with every appliance for the
benefit of hand and brain, they offer
advantages for high attachments, Tree
to all, and blessed to those who rightly
appreciate and improve them.
Instances which surprise us are often