The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-04-26
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.
Industrial Education.

have read with interest the recent artl-
cIes in the Journal upon the subject of man
nal training in our schools. OF the desira-
bihty of some systematic instruction in the
nse of tools there can be no doubt. What
form this instruction shall take and how
far it can be provided in connection with
public schools, or whether it is the province
of the public school at ALL are questions to be
settled. If as suggested by the Journal,
test experiment of its feasibility and value
can be made here in connection with the
high-schools at small expense, it.would seem
that the trial should be made.
The experience in technical schools has
convinced their managers that the best re-
suits are secured when shop practice is COM
bined with theoretical instruction.
= Every one who has tried to learn any man
ual process whatever knows that he is never
sure of his knowledge until he actually per-
forms the work himself. 1t is not enough to
hear another tell how it should be done; it is
not even sufficient to look on and observe the
process; he must do it for himself.
The president of the Rose Polytechnic In
stitution, at Terre Haute, in his admirable
inaugural address, clearly stated the advan-
tages of Incorporating shop practice with in
tellectual discipline.
In accordance with that idea, the two kinds
of instruction are combined in that institute.
technology requires from those who enter a
previous study equivalent to that of an ordi
nary hgh-school course. Hence, these schools
serve for higher instruction only Their ex
pense also opens them only to the few.
Some other provision is needed for this
great number of children whose school-days
must be limited to the years between six and
twelve, or. at the most, fifteen.
Since the simple hand-tools are so few in
number-only eleven-chidren may GER
tanly be taught to handle these tools skill
fully. And, since skill in the manipulation
of these seven tools gives the key to the
understanding Of the various mechanic arts,
It is true that one thus trained "has learned
the rudiments of twenty trades, and the di
versity of skill acquired has made him for
life a superior workman"
The difference between the skilled, intelli-
gent labor of man who puts thought into
his work, and the slovenly, plodding move
ments of unthinking ignorance, is the differ
ence between civilization and barbarsm.
The Yankee respect for the faculty of
managing is not an undue exaggeration of
its worth. Whoever puts thought into the
sweeping of a room the saving of wood
brings to the task superior skill and eff
cheney.
In developing the resources of this country
and in supplying the wants of its people, the
various mechanic arts are of great import
ance. The children who are to become the
artisans of the next generation should
receive as good an equipment for
their task as it is possible
to give them. If manual training by shop
practice can be incorporated with our public
schools, or can be made supplementary to
them, it will render such occupation attract
i've, 1t will assist many boy and girl to
decide What shall l do to earn living2"
Parents and teachers know that in the case
of many bright, active boys. constant appli-
cation to books becomes irksome and school
distasteful. The cure for such restessness is
often found in removing them from school
for while and putting them to work.
After time the exigencies of the trade or
business teach them that they need to know
more of the principles which under
lie all business. Hence they are
willing to return to school, and they then
study more diligently, because they study
/, with an intelligent purpose.
The application of what is learned from
books and teacher in the hours of practice in
the labor school will supply the needed i'm
petus to study, and believe that the result
will be not less, but greater proficiency in
the intellectual part of the work. Here they
will have solved for them the question,
"What is the use of this or that study" The
application of what they have learned will
serve as a stimulus and hold them inter-
ested.
By extending the plan of optional
studies in the high school so as
to include some system of manual
training, and making this an equivalent for
some of the studies which were formerly re-
CURED for graduation. there will be no undue
bias toward college preparatory studies The
choice can then be according to the bent of
the childs mind and his natural aptitude.
A diploma from this course will be valued
as highly as that from the classical. Labor
will become honorable in the eyes OF those
who were Inclined to think it little more
gentlemanly to occupy an office-desk to
stand behind a counter than to engage
in mechanical employments. The lesson of
the life of the honored American whose
lips have lately closed in death deserves to
be well learned. Peter Cooper. the mechanic,
the inventor, the phlanthropist, never
boosted, 'See what | have made myself with
out early opportunities" He did not, like
some so-called self-made men, despse the ad-
vantages of school instruction, and say: 81
have become rich and prosperous, and never
went to school but one year of half-days;
therefore, education is useless"
No Through his long life he always re-
GREETED his lack of early education When
wealth was his, through hard labor and self
denial, he thought of others whose lives
were hedged in by poverty and want of OPP
portunity. He founded Cooper Union
for the Advancement of science and art,
and opened it to all who otherwise would
have no chance to obtain wished-for training
in industrial and mechanic arts.
49,. This institute is the outgrowth of his own
experience. It's courses of instruction shows
"hat Aiuu Vi training lie believed TO be OF
use to the artisan. and who will deny his
competence to judge in such matters?
Let our educators have the support of all
who desire the advancement and prosperity
OF the Stare through intelligence and indus
try in any plans which they shall mature
having in view the training of the eye and
the hand, along with the memory and reason.
q.
Spoilers.
To In ErYifo
was recently arguing with railway
nerintendent who declared that If nassen-