The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-07-17
,n,us.rial Education.


industrial Education.
M. ork being done In England Tor
~nrrs mechanics, as explained by Mr..
wuII.x MATTER, now in this country
,ocetber with discussions at tho recent
meeting Of the American Institute OF in-
struction. has given fresh impulse 10
the consideration Of the question OF incus-
trial education, by leading Journals North
and South. The subject Is one that mas
frequently been brought to the attention OF
our readers, but its importance cannot DC
too strongly urged upon them. IL we arc
to continue to make progress rs manuiac-
turing ccntre---ii we are to realize Tue
promise OF our natural advantages-it goes
without saying that TO Richmond 'nc
question Is vital one. A writer IN
the Providence Journal, who, by rea-
son Of his surroundings, should know
whereof he speaks, in commenting on
paper read before the institute alluded 10,
In which "the advantages OF industrial
education over apprenticeship were fully
set FORTH says: :. 1t is the opinion OF the
most intelligent manufacturers oil the
United States that something must DC
done 10 elevate the standard OF skilled
labor in this country beyond the re-
suits OF the apprentice system, OF we
shall fall hopelessly behind European
countries ir competition, or be dependent
upon skilled foreign workmen for the d.
rection OF our manufactures and the i'm
provement OF our industries" III such
statement is significant in its bearing upon
New England, how much more significant
is il in its bearing upon the South!
Mr.. MATnER, after sketching the various
systems Of industrial education in Eng
land, says:
az look forward to this intimate relation
of the employers and the employees as one
OF the most important means OF preventing
all DISPUTES and MISUNDERSTANDING. Ii
shows 10 Young men the importance OF in
creased skill and higher knowledge fitting
them for a larger remuneration rather than
the abstract rules OF trades-unions. III
proves TO them that competition, winch is
the soul of business, can only be success
full To those establishments whose most
humble cmploye Is thoroughly instructed,
and whose work Is performed in the
most conscientious and economical man.
ner. The knowledge in early lie
OF the laws of nature and their APP
plication to industry will create desire
TO study, read, and think ont all those
problems which are continually coming up.
IL will elevate the occupations OF the
leisure hours Of workingmen, and teach
them to regard manual labor, when ele-
waited and dignified by scientific know
ledge, as no longer hard lot, but career
of the greatest usefulness. The oppor-
tunity it will give for any young man OF
more than the ordinary ability to make his
talents profitable will certainly increase
the inventions and discoveries necessary
to the progress OF every kind OF indus
try. Those who have hitherto regarded
trades and occupations where manual
work is required rs undignified and vu-
gar will be led to enter upon such occupa-
lions. and thus our artisan classes may ac-
quire not only \ greater practical know.
lege than those above them in society, but
they will learn to regard their lot as supe-
rior. 1t appears to me that great strikes
would be impossible In the iron and mining
districts OF any country il employers re-
garded this sort OF culture OF their work.
people us one OF their first duties; for
whilst workingmen would he better able
to appreciate the difficulties OF trade and
competition and help their employers to
meet them, the employers would feel 1t OBJ
ligatory 10 advance as much as possible the
position of those they employed"
1'It has been assumed by some people that
the reduction of labor by tools will dimish
the number of skilled artisans. This is
fallacy. The higher the development OF
mechanical contrivances to reduce merely
manual labor, the greater in other direc-
tons will be the demand for a finer skill
and technical knowledge. New wants are
created, new possibilities conceived, high
er attainments aimed at, which demand an
ever.increasing number OF properly trained
and skilled workmen.
What is true Of England is true OF this
country; and, under the changed regime,
Mr.. MATHER's views are especially applica-
BILE to the South. The one thing to be most
feared In connection with universal educa-
ton, in which the direction is literary, is
that it will ALLEVIATE youths from those occu-
pations in which manual labor and dexter
ity OF manipulation are absolutely essential.
This fact we must recognize sooner or
later.
Admitting rs true the positions taken by
the writers quoted above, and conceding
that the issue is live one to our people in
an industrial, and must soon become so in
a social point Of view. the question arises,
How shall 1t be met? The eliminate rela-
fion Of the employers and employees"
especially referred to by Mr.. MATHER, con-
sists In industrial schools under the pa
fronase Of separate manufacturing firms.
alt is found" he says, "that, so far as
evening students are concerned, the most
direct mode OF bringing knowledge OF
science and art to bear upon the occupa-
tiOns OF apprentices and boys generally is
TO induce large employers OF labor to estab-
lish science and art schools for their own
employees. In order to test the merits OF
this plan my firm has established science
school exclusively devoted to tho instruc-
tion I'm mechanical engineering Of its en-
ploy3s. 1t Is condition with all the
boys learning the trade in any OF its
branches that they shall attend the science
school two or three nights week, just as
they attend the working hours OF the estab-
lishment- "A thorough in
struetion ". given in practical plane and
solid geometry, machine construction and
mechanical drawing, building construction
and drawing. steam and steam engines,
mechanical er -ineering, applied mechan-
fcs, the physi.. sciences and hydraulics
All the obieas and models required are
furnished from parts OF machines and tools
In the workshops In course OF conaruc.
taon. The economy OF work and material
forms 0 part OF the instruction, with thf