The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-05-23
industrial Education.


To the Editor of the Indianapolis Journs4:
notice with pleasure the movement in
the direction of a summer school ofindustry
my boys instruction in the use of tools two
afternoons each week. 1t was double help,
in giving them employment which pleased
them and in teaching them the use of their
hands and eyes. l afterward advertised for
carpenter to give all his time to six boys, but
could never secure one.
In Boston last summer I visited one of
some twelve vacation Schools the expenses of
which were paid by one of Bostons liberal
men, in which instruction was given free to
poor children. The general plan was similar
to that now advocated by Professors Tarbell
and Grant, and the methods the same prac-
ticed in the Polytechnic at Terre Haute. In
connection with the Industrial Home in the
North End, Boston, school of carpentry is
! established with the best results.
The whole subject is now receiving atten-
ton from all educators. 1t has been the
subject of an address by Professor Huxley;
it is IN every newspaper. The discipline of
faculty through intellectual education has
left the boys without that practical skill in
using the hands and eyes, without which
they are untitled for life's business. The
| life of James Nasmyth, a working me-
chanc." one of the great inventors and ma
chinists of England, is illustrative of this
He says: The eyes and fingers, the bare
fingers, are the two principal inlets to sound
practical instruction"
A committee to plan an industrial school
at Springfield, Mass. have decided to teach
the rudiments OF trade, and not to turn out
| finished mechanics. The desire is to give
the boy a knowledge that will enable him
to choose pursuit for which he recognizes
his own adaptablity, SO that three or four
4 e L g. L.. l.
| leaves school in trying to determine how he
will earn his living, and finally drifting,
| through ignorance and necessity, into work
where manual labor not brains, is needed
Concerning industrial training, the Chris
| tan Advocate says:
zone of the golden sayings of Mr.. Froude
is this; 1t hurts no intellect to be able to
make a boat or suit of Clothes or hammer
horseshoe; and, if you can do either OF
these, you have nothing to fear from for
| tune Christ was carpenter, Paul tent
maker. The ancient Jews taught boys trades;
and, two hundred years ago all over Europe
| equivalent guards against vagabondage--in-
Guiding some moral teaching for all classes
prevailed The modern revolution has made
| il possible for men TO grow up without any
| form OF skill or any character. Perhaps
| the voluntary forces, while they produce
some higher results and more enlightened
happiness fail IT, to protect us at some
vital points. The vagabonds multiply
very fast. We have begun to make the
three RS compulsory; perhaps we need tc
| to make skill compulsory also 1t is u queer
result of freedom that trades unions should
shut apprentices out of callings lest there
should he a glut of workmen. 1t is a strange
result of American life that so large part
of our youth should look down on mechanic
arts. The whole question has a half hun
| dred points of interet for American society"
If only for giving something to do to boys
during the long summer days, this expert
ment should be welcomed. But when one
looks upon it as being in the direction OF
experimenting the education of the head
with an education of the hand and eye, it is
especially important that it be given a full
opportunity OF demonstrating its value.
MAY 20 1883. OSCAR c. McCULLocH